I've been able to get my hands on a copy of Civ IV to mess around in, and man...the level of depth is quite staggering in comparison to what we have in Revolution...granted, I'm still having fun with Revolution, but it's amazing just how much less there is to the game...without it feeling like the game is incredibly stripped down.

One main difference I've noticed are the victory routes, not in the sense that there are less of them, but the circumstances for most of them (aside from the Tech Victory) are quite different. Most notably, the cultural victory is a bit different than what you have on the PC version, because you could get a cultural victory in Civ. Rev. with only 1-3 cities, whereas in Civ. IV, you need a reasonably sized empire, as some wonders of the world require you to have upwards of 7 cities having the same basic structure built.

Another victory difference that I thought was lacking in Rev. was the lack of a Diplomatic victory...but then again, foreign relations are a bit more simplistic in this title, as the only trade commodities you have are either money, technologies, or great people. Conversely, though, there is no Economic Victory in Civ. IV.

Despite having what seems to be so much stripped down/streamlined, it's still amazing how they've made a rather pleasant, deep game out of this thing.

Skylock00

Yeah, I'm having similar feelings. Civilization Revolution is a really pleasant, addictive console version of Civ, it feels in some ways like the best board game ever to me. It takes some gameplay and presentation cues from Pirates! as well, which I really enjoyed. The controls are great, the Civilopedia is easily the best one yet, and the throne room is pure win.

But there's no question that Civilization IV is a way more interesting and in depth take on the game. I'm not surprised by this but after playing Civ Rev for the weekend it just made me want to boot up Beyond the Sword and play the real thing. There's so much more going on, the console version seems crippled by comparison - religion, more buildings/units/wonders, resources that actually matter, nuanced diplomatic and trading options, world customization, civics, pollution and unhappiness, baba yetu.. none of this is to be found in Civ Rev.

I was pissed that my rivals could demand tribute from me but I could do no such thing in return, let alone trade with them for some oil. I'm still not sure if I can rename captured cities or not. Don't get me wrong, I really like Civ Rev, it does what it set out to do very well and there's surely a place for a charming and focused version of a timeless classic. But if you love this and haven't played the game on PC, get your hands on a copy as soon as possible. That's the real Civilization.

Fallout 3. I love what's been teased so far, the game is due for a massive media blowout and it's not so far out that I have to just put it out of my mind after all the new info and impressions start pouring in.

I'd love to see/learn more about Alan Wake as well, but I'm not holding my breath.

I would play a great Civilization DS game forever, it has the potential to be the ultimate portable game, but I'm worried that the visuals aren't doing anything for me. Every screenshot I've seen looks kind of soulless, I'm not really a fan of the artwork direction they went in. I realize the DS not a graphical powerhouse but some of the models on those cluttered shots just look lazy to me. Hopefully the gameplay, music and atmosphere remains in tact.

The console versions on the other hand look beautiful, and the demo was great fun even for a long time Civ fan like me. Really refined some of the decision making so you can actually make some progress in your empire building in just one sitting. I'll wait for reviews, but I'm already planning on picking up a copy of Civ Rev for some system by the end of the week.

P4 doesn't have the school setting, right? Does anyone have any more info on P4's setting and gameplay?ASK_Story

I could have sworn there was still some sort of school setting for the social link stuff, but there's no Tartarus. The dark hour takes place inside TV's on a channel called Mayonaka TV. The plot is supposed to be more of a murder mystery this time around. Not sure just how different gameplay wise it'll be from P3 but at least you can control all the characters in battle. Also, the velvet room is now a stretch limo, which is awesome.

Question:

How do you think Kevin Garnett compares to Tim Duncan, before and after the title? I always thought KG was as good if not more skilled than Duncan. KG just never had the squad around him to win it all.

mont13

Duncan still has to be considered better IMO, just because of his superior arsenal of post moves. He's also got one of the all time great playoff resumes, KG still has to do more in future postseasons to approach him there.

KG brings his own set of unique talents to the table (athleticism, money jump shot, defensive leadership, emotion) and he's one of the greatest PF's ever no question, but Duncan just may wind up the greatest of all time. So it's hard to move away from that after one great KG led championship run.

Osmo! My Celtics bretheren.. come back soon.

Just a celebratory clinching game for us fans, a great, dramatic playoff run, a season for the ages for these Celtics :) Let's take a quick look down memory lane..

-Started the season 29-3

-Swept their first 5 game west coast road trip

-Won 7 out of 9 games with KG injured and with Brian Scalabrine starting

-Ended the Houston Rockets 22 game win streak in Houston (they won by 20)

-Swept the Texas Triangle, first team to do so since 2001

-Set the single season turnaround record

-Beat every team in the league at least once

-Averaged over 100 ppg and gave up around 90ppg, over a 10 point differential (2nd best was Detroit with 7.4)

-66 wins on the season, 35-6 at home, 22-4 vs. Western Conference

-#1 seed in the NBA, best defense in the NBA, KG DPOY award, Danny Ainge Executive of the year award

And lots more personal memories for C's fans such as Powe's breakout game after riding the bench all season, Big Baby Davis' heroics beating the Pistons in Detroit, winning the season opener soundly after Arenas guaranteed a loss, embarrasing the Knicks, Ray Allen's game winners, the best play of the season, one of the best dunks of the season.

And then the playoffs. Game 7 blowout vs the Hawks, Pierce vs. LeBron in a tense game 7 vs the Cavs, putting away the Pistons in Detroit, getting to play the Lakers of all foes (while being labeled underdogs by the media), the historic comeback in game 4 of the finals, utterly dismantling the Lakers in game 6 for banner 17, the first title in 22 years (and the first I actually will remember).

I couldn't be happier that not only did my team win, but the best team won, with good guys who deserve a championship, and they did it in impressive fashion. Even with all the big 3 hype they truly are a team that plays unselfish team ball, they took the Ubuntu mantra to heart from the very beginning of preseason. Lakers are very close, but it's the defense that makes the difference. They need role players willing to sacrifice themselves at that end of the court to their game up another level. That, and a better player to match up against Pierce than Vlad. Bring on Banner #18!

Anybody who seriously gives the MJ/Kobe comparisons merit never had much credibility in my eyes anyway. MJ won his first championship at 29, Kobe is 29 right now. So much can (or can't) happen in the next 6-7 years - Kobe's story is only halfway written.

Of course Jordan went to college for 3 years (he was pretty ok there) and he was the face of the league and legendary at 29, on the verge of dominating the game like we haven't seen a player do before or since. You just can't accurately make comparisons until you can look back at the entire body of work of the players you're comparing. It may be fun considering just how much Kobe emulates MJ but personally I'll enjoy watching Kobe be Kobe and figure out his spot in the pantheon after all is said and done.

[QUOTE="viberooni"]

Football. Perfect mix of athleticism, skill, toughness, split second decision making, teamwork, individual and collective greatness, drama, head games, personalities and strategy.Darth_Revan_666

Fixed ;)

Ha, well played ;)

I do like football, especially the war game-chess match aspects to the game. But you can't go out and play some football for hours by yourself or with a friend, let alone find yourself a pickup game at the gym. It's also a bit too much of a coaches game for my tastes, basketball players have a lot more freedom to be creative and expressive with their skills than in football. Both are great sports though, my two favorites.