Cert: 12+
Platform: PC
Genre: Strategy
Turn based strategy game Civilization has been around for over twenty years and in that time it's become something of a fetish for hard-core strategy fans. That all changed when Firaxis released Civilization Revolutions, on Xbox 360, and pitched it at series newcomers. The essential concept of the latest PC release is still the same (build a civilization to stand the test of time) but this installment has done away with the litany of menus, statistics and numbers that dominated Civ 4. Thankfully, the game has lost none of it's complexity.
The biggest changes have been made to the combat system. It's no longer possible to place a massive army on one tile - something fans of the series dubbed the stack of death - and ranged units can now fire overhead. This makes combat much more intuitive and strategic. What's the point in having a massive army if the vulnerable ranged units are up front and the cavalry is to the rear?
Firaxis have also upped the graphics several notches and the world looks gloriously colourful and comes alive as players progress through the ages. However, it is a little resource hungry. The diplomacy is still one of the game's weakest aspects and there's often not much to do beyond declaring war, proposing a trade agreements and negotiating a peace treaty. The AI is also noticeable forgiving on easier difficulty levels, and veterans should turn everything up.
These are just really minor niggles. Series veterans have so far welcomed the way Civ 5 has evolved the ageing franchise. Civ 5 also represents the perfect entry point for those who have never played any of these incredibly deep titles before and are ready for a new understanding of the phrase 'Just One More Turn'.
Rent or Buy: Buy
Graphics: 4/5
Game Play: 5/5
Replay Value: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Reviewed By: Bryan Collins