Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution - Review

By Reed - July 22, 2008

Platforms: ,

Visuals: 7.0 Audio: 8.0 Story: 9.0 Gameplay: 10 Entertainment Value: 10 Overall: 8.8

I came, I saw, I owned.

When word broke that legendary game designer Sid Meier would be designing a Civilization game specifically for consoles, veteran Civilization gamers balked at the idea. Featuring shorter games, less enemies, online play and a more streamlined design, will Civilization conquer consoles, or be just another forgotten page in history?

Visuals
Civilization started as a 2D series, with just a group of icons moving across a grid map. The game hasn't changed much since its beginning, still retaining the same design layout with obvious improvements to the icons and the inclusion of 3D models. Civilization Revolution features fully animated world leaders, each with a personality of their own. Battles between units are animated by a brief fight sequence which you can pull out of if things go poorly. There isn't much to the graphics, and at times there can be slowdown during fights between units, but if you're playing Civ Rev for graphics, you're playing for all the wrong reasons.




Audio
Aside from the "brain food," music and incomprehensible babble that your advisors will say while you read their text, there isn't much to the audio. Units each have sound effects for marching, so planes will sound as if they are diving, riflemen will sound as if marching and submarines give off a distinctive pinging sound. During battles, fights have their standard war-noises and death sounds. The audio isn't necessarily exciting, but the background music fits the game perfectly. Civ Rev is a chess match, and pumping techno would only pull you out of the experience.

Gameplay
If you're new to the Civilization series, explaining what you will be doing can be quite lengthy. You start by choosing one of 14 nations, (English, Americans, Indians, Mongols, Romans...etc) Starting with a settlers unit who can build cities, you start with your capital, and then branch out from there, building an empire. Players then research technology, which will enable them to build new units and buildings in order to progress through the stages of history. (Stone Age, Medieval age, Industrial age, Modern age)

Victory is achieved in four unique ways. Players can achieve military dominance, capturing all four opposing capitals, cultural dominance by building the most world wonders (such as the Great Library of Alexandria), economic dominance by building the World Bank, or a scientific victory by reaching space before any other civilization. Each victory comes with its own set of challenges. For instance, someone trying to win by economics might find that other civilizations are constantly attempting to steal their money, or a culture victory might earn the ire of other warmongering civilizations.




At the core, the gameplay is flawless. Each decision you make affects where your civilization is going, and how others will view you. Also you're never set on one path to victory; you might start with a domination victory in mind, but then learn that you simply can't achieve that goal and switch to an economic route. The game is infinitely replayable as maps are randomly generated, and you're A.I. opponents always provide a challenge. Add Xbox Live and PSN support with map and scenario downloads, and you're likely to see Civ Rev eating up much of your gaming time.

Speaking of time, that was the main issue with past Civilization games. Civilization 4, which Civ Rev is based on, could take hours to even advance to a new age. Civ Rev matches can be completed in one sitting. This may be a turn-off to veteran Civilization gamers, but it makes it accessible to new fans and old. Instead of completing one game in 24 hours, you could complete numerous games, and still have the same hunger to start again.

Civ Rev was designed with consoles in mind and because of that, many of the original Civilization's features were somewhat stripped. Diplomacy between nations is extremely limited, many classic units such as War Elephants are not included, and there is no way to determine what type of map you will play on. Despite missing what many would see as key options, the result is that Civ Rev is much easier to understand and takes some of the headache inducing elements of past Civilization games, such as causing starvation in cities, out of the game.




Another factor that worried some was how Civilization would handle using a controller. Without going into which button does what, it works great. Each button has a use; they are easy to remember, and advisors will consistently remind you what to press if you get lost. Any fear that a controller could ruin Civilization should be put at ease.

Entertainment Value
Civilization Revolution is the best strategy game available on either the 360 or PS3. Matches are easy to get into, require skill, strategy and luck, and you will more than likely come back for more. With Xbox Live and PSN support, and the series addictive game play intact, Civ Rev is likely to keep you busy for months and revisiting more often than not.

Visuals: 7.0 - Not the prettiest game on the next-gen consoles, but it doesn't need to be. Audio: 8.0 - Stock audio and "brain food," music set the mood. Story: 9.0 - Hard to judge a story where you create your own story, but that is why the game is great. You're in control of your own destiny, writing your own history, beginning, middle and end. Gameplay: 10 - Superb, addictive, and replayable. With four distinct ways to win and A.I. that in unpredictable and challenging, Civ Rev is a total package. Entertainment Value: 10 - Xbox Live and PSN support will keep the game alive long after your done, and it's easy 'pick up and play' style makes it easy to jump back into the game long after you're done with it. Overall: 8.8 - Outstanding

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