Azurephile gives this an astounding "Must Play" on the Ghost Scale
This achieves something special, and it would be a shame to miss it.
Azurephile gives this a "Must Play" on the Ghost Scale
This achieves something special, and it would be a shame to miss it.
Review

  • Recommended +1

  • Turn-based strategy game with free demo and tutorial

  • Multiple ways to win
Months ago I began to watch one of my friends playing Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution on their Xbox. It looked interesting, so I thought I’d see what’s available for the PC. I noticed that the latest Civilization for PC was VI, so I set my sights on it, I eventually got the Digital Deluxe Edition for half price.

During this time Civ3 became free, so I thought getting a free Civilization game would be a good way to play the game and decide if I wanted to buy it. Civ3 offered no tutorial, so I was lost. However, I realized that Civ6 is the first of the series to offer a tutorial. Luckily, I found out that the game also has a free demo.

So, I tried out the demo. I started with the tutorial, but ran into a few problems. One of the worst things about the tutorial is that you cannot save your game. So, you either have to keep playing or lose your progress. I also thought I ran into a glitch, but I found my way around it. My next problem was that the amount of turns in the game was running out. This happens at 2050, but the game didn’t end. It continued and I built a massive force and thought I took over my opponent, but the game continued. I may not have completed the final objective (a Domination Victory) in time.

If you’re not familiar with the game series, Civilization is a turn based strategy game. The game focuses on managing a civilization, kind of like Sim City. There are many ways to play and thus many ways to win. You can work towards amassing an army, conquering other nations, and achieving a Domination Victory. You can also work towards science and eventually launch into space achieving a Science Victory. You can also work towards religion, including getting into religious wars, and achieving a Religious Victory. You can also work towards culture, generating tourism, and achieving a Culture Victory. The final way to win is with a Score Victory, when no other victory has been achieved and thus victory depends on who has the highest score.

The game reflects real world civilizations including modern and historic. There are many to play, each with their unique bonuses. I find the real world modern and historical aspects of the game to be extremely appealing.

There are a variety of ways to manage your civilization. The AI provides some suggestions, including an adviser. During turns you can research civics like policies, and science like technologies. You can trigger eureka moments which boost research. This is done by completing certain conditions, for instance killing an enemy with a Slinger boosts the research towards Archer. When that’s complete, you can pay in-game gold to upgrade the unit or build new ones. Units also receive experience and get promotions, which includes offensive and defensive bonus trees.

I’ve only barely scratched the surface of things here, this game is deep. There is a bit of a learning curve for new players, but it's fun. While it doesn’t cover everything, it helps you get started. You will learn a lot as you play and the game includes Civilopedia, basically the game’s detailed manual. However, I’ve found an excellent “Tutorial for Complete Beginners” on YouTube (https://youtu.be/pczrASkYGSo).

scrypt   Supporter wrote on 12/07/2017 at 10:49pm

Love those Civ games :D! Cool that your digging into 6. I have 5, and love it, but I've heard good things about its successor. The Eureka objectives sounds really interesting. I'm assuming they still have per-unit advancements, but also having research benefits stem from that is a cool idea.

Azurephile   Super Member   Post Author wrote on 12/08/2017 at 12:51am

Yeah, still have per-unit upgrades you can purchase. I'm glad you like 5, from what I've heard they've changed a lot since then. They also recently announced a DLC for release in Feb., which I'll most likely get.

I'm still learning the game. After I watched the tutorial I embedded, I played America and actually got a Science Victory. I'm trying to play as different or random civs to get a feel for them and the game.

This game has made me much more patient for the release of Ark: Aberration lol.

BTW, I saw you play Subnautica as do I. It just updated. I'm interested in what you think of it.

scrypt   Supporter wrote on 12/08/2017 at 11:02pm

I can't remember my play-style changing too much with the different civilizations, though I tend to favor the monarchs: Elizabeth, Dido, Isabella, etc. I'm sure I'm not playing them to their full potential ;).

Subnautica is amazing, and far better than I expected! I'm working on an article for the site now, so you can read the full take in a couple days.

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