My first Civ game, a few questions (I've finished the demo).

[ShadowXOR]

I've played the demo twice now and I'm still kind of confused. The tutorial really didn't explain much at all. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be doing, and even after forming three units into an army my units were nowhere near as strong as the city I attacked. And when I played online I couldn't even tell if it was a human since they weren't talking and I couldn't find their city since there were like three other civilizations besides us as well as the barbarians. I'm likely getting the game but the progression of gameplay kind of confused me due to the minimalistic tutorial that didn't really explain what many things did.

Could you please give me the idea of the average game progression with time, like what should I be doing in the first half hour roughly, second, etc. (I heard games last two to three hours). I'm also trying to get my friend to buy it and want to sell him on this. We would both stick with Domination strategies. I generally like turn-based strategy games but this one through me for a loop and Civilopedia doesn't do any good in the demo since it doesn't cover most of the units I was using... I know I'm asking for something very general but I would just like an idea of game progression roughly such as expansion, attacks, scouting, harvesting, etc.

I used Spies too and apparently they weren't good enough because they didn't do much and I wasn't sure what resources did what etc. My mind was officially blown. I'm pretty sure I would like this game but it was so confusing that I wasn't sure afterward.

[VideoGames4Life]

I've played the demo twice now and I'm still kind of confused. The tutorial really didn't explain much at all. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be doing, and even after forming three units into an army my units were nowhere near as strong as the city I attacked. And when I played online I couldn't even tell if it was a human since they weren't talking and I couldn't find their city since there were like three other civilizations besides us as well as the barbarians. I'm likely getting the game but the progression of gameplay kind of confused me due to the minimalistic tutorial that didn't really explain what many things did.

Could you please give me the idea of the average game progression with time, like what should I be doing in the first half hour roughly, second, etc. (I heard games last two to three hours). I'm also trying to get my friend to buy it and want to sell him on this. We would both stick with Domination strategies. I generally like turn-based strategy games but this one through me for a loop and Civilopedia doesn't do any good in the demo since it doesn't cover most of the units I was using... I know I'm asking for something very general but I would just like an idea of game progression roughly such as expansion, attacks, scouting, harvesting, etc.

I used Spies too and apparently they weren't good enough because they didn't do much and I wasn't sure what resources did what etc. My mind was officially blown. I'm pretty sure I would like this game but it was so confusing that I wasn't sure afterward.

the tutorial was the only way i got to know the controls:confused: if i didn't explain much at all to you im kind of worried:eek:

and you have to make your soldiers fight other things to get expierence so there Attack is stronger and develop more technologies for you military and of course the city will be stronger *duh* it depends how long you left the city alone so it can bulid up it's defense's.

[ShadowXOR]

It tought me the controls but no real info on how to actually play the game in regards to the rules of the game, units, etc.

[Hodory]

If you have some specific questions that I can answer for you, feel free to send me a PM. If you are going to be on XBOX Live, we can exchange gamertag information as well.

Civ games are quite complex for people who have never played any Civ games before, so I can understand the confusion. However, there are just way too many general tips to hand out that it is probably better to approach one specific issue at a time.

[drgoats]

Firstly, congratulations on your first Civ game!
Secondly, I would recommend the strategy guide. I am not one for buying those guides but I think with your lack of experience in Civ games it will prove to be beneficial.
Lastly, since you say you are looking for domination victories I would recommend a strat similar to this to start:
1st turn: go into city screen and to your workers. Customize them so that they are only working productions (hammers). Explore with your warrior that is already built and try to find some barbarians or some goody huts.
2nd turn: explore with warrior
3rd turn or 4th turn: I am not too sure when the next warrior is made (I think the 3rd) take the new warrior and send him in the same direction as the first.
When your third warrior is made, send him in the same direction as the other two. Hopefully, you will have found another Civ at this point. You will want to park all of your warriors outside of the Civ's city borders until they can all meet up to form an Army. Once your army is formed I would declare war on the nearby Civ and go in for the attack. If you were fast enough, you should be able to take down the city.
Back in your original city, right after your last warrior was built, I would switch your workers to some science (either both on beakers, or one on beaker and one on food). I would research Bronze Working. Bronze working will give you the ability to make Archers, which will aid in your domination victory.
In your new city, if you have bronze working completed, I would work on making an archer for defense. I would use your warrior army to explore more to find more barbarians, goody huts, and civs.
At this point, you may have received your 100g bonush, which is a settler, so you can start finding your third city. Being that you are new to the franchise, a city that is well balanced may be your best bet. Find a city that has good food, hammers, and beakers.

This should be a nice start for you. You already have taken down one civ, 3 cities, and have a nice start towards a decent military.

I only have the demo, so I only have had a chance to try this strat with Cleo and Caeser but it has worked with both of them.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=280004
Check out this thread to see another strat