IMO (In My Opinion) Sid Meier's Civilization V

Published: May 26, 2014 9:00 AM /

By:


Civ V Brave New World Logo

How many nights have gamers been suckered into a marathon session of Civilization? Like any addiction, it is just too easy to continue until the wee hours of the morning with the next turn button glowing ever so brightly, tantalizing players with the thought: “Just one more turn!”

 

Next Turn button
Press it... you know you want to.

Civilization V has become the essential must-have turn-based strategy game and for good reason. With the dozens of playable (and downloadable) factions, a huge supply of maps, and endless amounts of fun, Civilization V brings a lot to the table.

Civilization Screencap 1

However, everything far from Utopia in Sid Meier’s prestigious title. After having played Civ V sans DLC, the experience felt so diluted and hollow. All of the great things brought by Gods and Kings expansion as well as the popular Brave New World make the game feel much more involved and deliciously complex! Without these expansions, the game almost feels incomplete with such good mechanics squirreled away in the DLC.

Some smaller issues with the game also irks me. Trading with NPC’s is near impossible, they are incredibly demanding, requiring an abundance of offerings to even consider getting your way at the trading table. Maintaining relations with city-states is very difficult; other leaders will make it their top priority to become city-state allies at the cost of everything else. The waiting involved with the game can be annoying at times, as many structures can take quite some time to build, and the AI turns can drag out, especially as the match progresses.

 

Civilization V Dido
Nobody negotiates with Dido. Nobody.

Another big aspect to consider is the multiplayer. Multiplayer is fun and can keep people hooked for hours. Hours you’ll need, because finishing one match could take most, if not all day. While you can save and come back to pick it up later, it is a bit more tedious than I would like. When you play Civ, there’s no messing around, you go big or you go home.

 

2014-05-04_00002
He's just upset he can never finish his matched online.

While I did have my issues with the game, my problems are mostly nitpicks on an otherwise stellar game. If you like turn-based strategy games, this game is an easy buy for most PC gamers. Pick it up, as well as the two expansions, and it will be a purchase well worth the price of admission.

[caption id="attachment_9350" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Civilization Play clock

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A hardcore gaming enthusiast looking to experience and review interesting games. When not furthering my education, expect to find me on Steam or Xbox Live… More about Chris