I would recommend skipping V as it's the weakest part of the series. 4 is my favorite. I
As far as it being DRM-Free, the copy I have has a CD Check. But I bought it at release and the expansions at release as well.

I installed the Amazon version, it is DRM free. Just be careful when buying, because I think they also sell one that is just a steam key. The one marked [Download] should be DRM free, while the one marked [Online Game Code] requires Steam.

I enjoy both 4 and 5. I have not played any of the earlier games in the series. The games play differently, and I have found that while 5 is different than 4, it is not necessarily worse. They both have strengths and weaknesses. It could also be that I did not get 5 until it was on deep discount and my expectations were not high after reading user opinions.

I'm also interested in DRM free digital version of Civ IV Complete myself. Can anyone confirm that the DRM free version can be played outside US?

I love Civ series but I prefer the combat mechanics less random and it's Civ V. Older versions are too random. IV is just acceptable.

Stating the obvious, any product that uses Steam in my humble opinion uses DRM.

My copy of Civ 4 plus expansions doesn't require you to insert the DVD to play, so I guess it's pretty DRM-free.

Same doesn't apply to Civ 5, which uses Steamworks sadly.
You'd think it was blatantly obvious, but there's a certain sycophancy in the air that prevents people from recognising what's right in front of their nose. Yes, I recognise that certain games can be copied out of their directories and run without Steam, but (a) they are a minority of games mostly already available DRM-free elsewhere and (b) copying it out in this fashion is basically circumventing the DRM.

Civ V may one day lose its Steamworks - I know Aspyr left it out of their Mac port of the game so it must be possible to do without destroying the integrity of the game (while the Mac App Store has its own DRM publishers can use if they wish to, it doesn't allow 3rd-party DRM). However, the PC version does have Steamworks for now (the MAS version I suspect has identity checks) and probably the foreseeable future.

I really don't see why it would be difficult for it to lose its steamworks (I know firaxis at the time of launch were saying it was totally integrated and not possible), but for the steam cloud all they have to do is store stuff locally (incredibly easy), remove the achievements (or run them Tropico 3 style through the game itself) and ignore the workshop.

Job done.

you can buy it on steam

So, do they give you an offline installer. Or is it just an online installer?

Civ4 still a little pricey at $30 (for someone that already has it on CD and Steam), but it would be nice to un-Steamify this great game and I hate using cd cracks.

Sorry, I guess my memory was playing tricks on me, or they've updated the information since I last checked (which was a long time ago)

I can confirm the complete civ 3 & 4 as sold in Australia on DVD is DRM free but the originals and expansions are not. Unfortunately the box does not mention drm free so purchasing the complete edition may differ depending on where you get it.

Regards MarkL

I don't buy on Steam :P

It's either DRM free hard copies, or drm free GOG, that's my only ways to play PC games. If I wanted steam I wouldn't be here.

With Amazon you download an executable that (it's small and is not installed, it just runs) will download the game files (by default to the desktop) and allow pausing, etc. When the download finishes, it will ask if you want to install, but you can say no. What is downloaded is a folder of files that looks like a copy of what would be on the CD or DVD. The installer is offline (as far as I can tell) and it never asks for any account info or even CD key.

$30 is a lot for it, but it's on sale frequently. I picked it up last winter on sale for $4.99 and had a $5 promotional credit so I got it free.

Hey,I brought Civ V and I'd like to share my experiences.

Re: The DRM: Barely noticed it to be honest,it can be played in offline mode and does not require steam to be active all the time(although you won't get the achievements)

i play steam games and i'm still here :)