Game Card
Civilization Revolution (Xbox360)
- Publisher:
- 2K Games
- Developer:
- Firaxis Games
- US Release:
- 08.06.2008
- EU Release:
- n/a
- Number of players:
- n/a
- Reality Factor:
- Realistic
- Real Time:
- Turns
- Map Size:
- Global
- Management:
- Vast Economy
- Extra:
- Management
- Combat Status:
- Militaristic
- Age:
- Multi-Period
Review
We play Civilization Revolution...
Civilization: Revolution is the latest instalment of the critically acclaimed franchise by Sid Meier. Considered a pioneer of gaming, Sid Meier and his company Firaxis have gone from strength to strength as they release one title after the next. Making its debut on the home console, Civilization: Revolution revolves around one simple idea: take the classic Civ formula that everyone knows and loves, strip it down, and give it a shot of adrenaline.
Compared to its PC predecessors, Revolution is but a shadow of its former self. Die-hard Civilization fans may not be at ease with this ‘lighter’ version, but it is these very aspects that make it more accessible to the home-console market. A simplified combat system, streamlined micro-management and smaller maps have turned this game into a fast-paced strategy title. This makes it a perfect addition to the 360 strategy roster.
The areas of Diplomacy, Trade and Resource Management are the areas that have been affected the most. Diplomacy almost feels like an after thought, with no real scope for proper negotiations. Also, towards the later stages of the game, most of the AI factions will be at war with you because they don’t want you to win the match. Similarly, Trade has been scaled back until it is virtually non-existent, with technology being the only real bargaining chip.
Resource Management within cities has been simplified; now the player only has to worry about two key resources: food and production. Food helps your city grow and increases your population over time. Production allows you to construct buildings and train units. As you advance in technology, more and more terrain types can be used for either food or production, and certain buildings augment resources with bonuses. In past Civ games, specific resource squares allowed you to build or train specific things. In Revolution, all resource squares contribute to either production or food. Whilst this puts everyone on pretty much an equal footing – players have access to all units in all cities – but it detracts from the strategy of placing cities.
City management in general has also been scaled back and streamlined. This makes micro-managing between cities easier, which especially helps in later-stage games. The adapted controls especially come in handy here, as switching between cities is as easy as pressing the shoulder pad.
Combat in Revolution has pretty much gone back to basics: Attack vs Defence. Each unit has an attack value, and a defence value, and these are used to determine outcomes during engagements. Modifiers like terrain, unit health and experience, also affect the outcome of a battle which can lead to more tactical thinking. Different types of units are suited for different purposes; for example ‘ranged’ units are best for defence, whilst ‘siege’ units are best for city attacks. As you progress through the ages, other types such as ships and planes become available to you. Each unit has its own strengths and weaknesses, and its own purpose on the battlefield, ensuring that a player utilises the right combination in order to effectively defend and expand their borders.
Unfortunately, the combat system can be a little flawed. The later stages in the game don’t always take into account the rise in technology. With a combat system based almost purely on numbers, you sometimes witness some strange outcomes. There is also an element of luck encoded into the mechanics. This can work in your favour at times, but at other times it can work against you.
Another drawback to the game is that the civilisations themselves lack a certain degree of diversity. Despite there being 16 in all, the various bonuses they each get have a negligible impact on the game itself. Even the unique units that some nations have don’t always make a difference. The simple combat mechanics and a limited military roster mean that the bonuses they carry can be easily overcome. Unlike previous Civ games, you only get one famous person as your nations ‘avatar’, so customization within a faction has also been discarded.
As mentioned before, actual game-play has also been quickened. Maps are smaller, with only about five combatants actually making it onto a map, including you. Random map generation with each run through will mean that you never play the same game twice; however each map runs along a similar theme, which you will probably pick up eventually. At times, this can make things seem a bit repetitive however the inclusion of various ‘scenarios’ that each have different rules helps keep things fresh.
Multiplayer breaks up the single-player game-play by allowing you to go online in one of two ways: a fully integrated matchmaking system over Xbox Live, or a regularly updated “Game of the Week” mode. The latter lets you play a normal single-player map especially designed by the people at Firaxis, but your results go online to see who the best is. The multiplayer mode of course lets you go head to head against up to four other people to test your skills. This does a good job at livening things up, but it’s a shame you can’t create private matches or lobbies to easily play against your friends. Also, even though each player’s turn has been limited to only a minute, in order to cut down playing time, matches can still literally take hours, so be prepared for a long night.
All in all, Revolution is a worthy addition to the 360 roster. It’s fun, addictive, and easy to play. It may be a but hollow compared to the previous games, but it’s right at home on the consoles. Newcomers will find it easy to get into, and addictive to play, whilst old hands might need a little adapting to get used to the lack of micro-management. Either way, Meier’s done it again.
Top Game Moment: Launching a nuke against an enemy city, and then accidentally killing your own army in the explosion.
Compared to its PC predecessors, Revolution is but a shadow of its former self. Die-hard Civilization fans may not be at ease with this ‘lighter’ version, but it is these very aspects that make it more accessible to the home-console market. A simplified combat system, streamlined micro-management and smaller maps have turned this game into a fast-paced strategy title. This makes it a perfect addition to the 360 strategy roster.
 |
 |
|
| You have in-game advisers to help you with all aspects of the game. |
You will need the right combination of troops to capture an enemy’s city. |
The areas of Diplomacy, Trade and Resource Management are the areas that have been affected the most. Diplomacy almost feels like an after thought, with no real scope for proper negotiations. Also, towards the later stages of the game, most of the AI factions will be at war with you because they don’t want you to win the match. Similarly, Trade has been scaled back until it is virtually non-existent, with technology being the only real bargaining chip.
Resource Management within cities has been simplified; now the player only has to worry about two key resources: food and production. Food helps your city grow and increases your population over time. Production allows you to construct buildings and train units. As you advance in technology, more and more terrain types can be used for either food or production, and certain buildings augment resources with bonuses. In past Civ games, specific resource squares allowed you to build or train specific things. In Revolution, all resource squares contribute to either production or food. Whilst this puts everyone on pretty much an equal footing – players have access to all units in all cities – but it detracts from the strategy of placing cities.
City management in general has also been scaled back and streamlined. This makes micro-managing between cities easier, which especially helps in later-stage games. The adapted controls especially come in handy here, as switching between cities is as easy as pressing the shoulder pad.
 |
 |
|
| Diplomacy is limited, but still useful. | Cities are the backbone of your empire. |
Combat in Revolution has pretty much gone back to basics: Attack vs Defence. Each unit has an attack value, and a defence value, and these are used to determine outcomes during engagements. Modifiers like terrain, unit health and experience, also affect the outcome of a battle which can lead to more tactical thinking. Different types of units are suited for different purposes; for example ‘ranged’ units are best for defence, whilst ‘siege’ units are best for city attacks. As you progress through the ages, other types such as ships and planes become available to you. Each unit has its own strengths and weaknesses, and its own purpose on the battlefield, ensuring that a player utilises the right combination in order to effectively defend and expand their borders.
Unfortunately, the combat system can be a little flawed. The later stages in the game don’t always take into account the rise in technology. With a combat system based almost purely on numbers, you sometimes witness some strange outcomes. There is also an element of luck encoded into the mechanics. This can work in your favour at times, but at other times it can work against you.
Another drawback to the game is that the civilisations themselves lack a certain degree of diversity. Despite there being 16 in all, the various bonuses they each get have a negligible impact on the game itself. Even the unique units that some nations have don’t always make a difference. The simple combat mechanics and a limited military roster mean that the bonuses they carry can be easily overcome. Unlike previous Civ games, you only get one famous person as your nations ‘avatar’, so customization within a faction has also been discarded.
 |
 |
|
| City management is now streamlined for ease of use. | When borders meet, the trouble will start. |
As mentioned before, actual game-play has also been quickened. Maps are smaller, with only about five combatants actually making it onto a map, including you. Random map generation with each run through will mean that you never play the same game twice; however each map runs along a similar theme, which you will probably pick up eventually. At times, this can make things seem a bit repetitive however the inclusion of various ‘scenarios’ that each have different rules helps keep things fresh.
Multiplayer breaks up the single-player game-play by allowing you to go online in one of two ways: a fully integrated matchmaking system over Xbox Live, or a regularly updated “Game of the Week” mode. The latter lets you play a normal single-player map especially designed by the people at Firaxis, but your results go online to see who the best is. The multiplayer mode of course lets you go head to head against up to four other people to test your skills. This does a good job at livening things up, but it’s a shame you can’t create private matches or lobbies to easily play against your friends. Also, even though each player’s turn has been limited to only a minute, in order to cut down playing time, matches can still literally take hours, so be prepared for a long night.
All in all, Revolution is a worthy addition to the 360 roster. It’s fun, addictive, and easy to play. It may be a but hollow compared to the previous games, but it’s right at home on the consoles. Newcomers will find it easy to get into, and addictive to play, whilst old hands might need a little adapting to get used to the lack of micro-management. Either way, Meier’s done it again.
Top Game Moment: Launching a nuke against an enemy city, and then accidentally killing your own army in the explosion.
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Launch Trailer
Posted 11.07.08
Length 01:08 Views 685 -
Leaders Trailer
Posted 11.07.08
Length 01:17 Views 633 -
Wonders Featurette
Posted 02.07.08
Length 01:17 Views 606
User Comments
By Kres on Jun 25, 2008
By herodotus on Jun 25, 2008
