Need to choose between Civ IV and AOE III...

[wayabvpar]

They are very different games. As said earlier, if you are interested in real time strategy (frenzied clicking and scrolling, automating build orders, etc), then AOE III is definitely for you.

OTOH, if you enjoy a slower paced, deeper experience, Civ IV is absolutely fantastic. I happen to vastly prefer turn-based strategy over real time, but to each his own.