V's easier to get into and focuses more on tactical combat than unit count in wartime, but IV has much funner empire management and better mod support. I vote IV.

Civ 4 beyond the sword is usually the one I tell new players to get. But hell if you have the money get civ 5 with gods and kings as well and decide on your own.

Both have flaws, but I perceive Civ V to be fatally flawed, whereas Civ IV is still pretty fun despite the whole Unit Stacks of Doom thing. Here's a link that articulates where Civ V went wrong quite nicely, though it's worth noting that Gods and Kings has fixed a few of the issues mentioned.

Basically, though, even Civ V with Gods and Kings feels like an inferior game in every respect that isn't related to combat -- and Civilization is not a combat-heavy game (unless you play a faction like the Mongols and churn out Doomstacks like butter.)

And Civ V without Gods and Kings is almost unplayable.
...Well, that's a little harsh, but it's certainly a steep fall from Civ IV with Beyond the Sword.

WELL
I got civ 4 complete.

You made a good decision then
Also I will kick your ass play you sometime

So the Steam sale has ended for reals, and now it's time for everyone to report in how much damage was done to their wallet.

Before the sale started, I gave myself a $100 dollar limit based on rather accurate guesses and not-so-subtle hints (such as my brother telling me he was just going to get me a steam giftcard) on how many gift cards and how much money I would receive for Christmas.

Scribblenauts Unlimited - $19.99
Natural Selection 2 - $9.99
Half Minute Hero - $3.39
Sonic Adventure DX - $4.47
Sonic Adventure 2 - $4.99
SA2 Battle Mode DLC - $1.49
Little Inferno - $9.99 (grabbed it before it had a daily/flash sale because I couldn’t wait)
Assorted Sleeping Dogs DLC - $4.38
Payday: The Heist Soundtrack - $1.24
DMC 3&4 Bundle - $10.19
The Secret World - $22.49
To the Moon - $3.39

Total Damage: $96.00

The $4 left over got me a sandwich. It had nothing to do with video games, but it was tasty.

Jan 5, 2013$10.74Purchase
Natural Selection II

Jan 2, 2013$5.36Purchase
Dreamfall: The Longest Journey

Dec 27, 2012$10.95Purchase
Spec Ops The Line (ROW)

Dec 24, 2012$27.91Purchase
Sonic and SEGA All Stars Racing, SEGA Classics: Sonic Spinball, Sonic CD, Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition Complete Pack

Dec 22, 2012$12.89Purchase
Don't Starve 2-Pack (thank me for keeping you in budget, Arcanum)

Just under $70 dollars, not near as bad as I thought.

Al is awesome for keeping me within my budget because he sent me his extra copy of Don't Starve.

Ys Origin- £4.74
Sonic CD- £1.99
REALMyst for my girlfriend- £1.99

Got everything I wanted/could play, and didn't spend a penny of my own money on it. Score.

Mirror's Edge - 5 USD

And that's about it ::V: