Comments on: Civilization Revolution … with Children

By: Dr. Matt Carlson

Dr. Matt Carlson — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 02:25:49 +0000

I’ll probably chime in with a 2nd opinion on the DS version as well (didn’t get the 360 version). I enjoy it as it’s Civ come to a handheld, the streamlining there isn’t as unexpected since it is a handheld, after all.

I like it, and it has that nice “one more turn” thing, but even with the streamlining there are a number of things that are dissapointingly abscent. No production queues (particularly for sending production to a new location), many bugs and glitches (I am often unable to build buildings even after I’ve learned the requisite tech – graineries are particularly notorious after learning pottery, cities produce no gold unless I mess with building research styles, etc…) Finally, there is next to no documentation on anything for those who want to know… Aqueducts “help improve city growth” – how, in what way? Units have stats, but

I don’t mind the “action-y” console modifications to things (units with experience? sounds “festive”… chatty AI leaders? no problem) but there are some fundamental user interface choices that were simply left out and make the game far more fiddly than it needed to be.

By: Mike Anderson

Mike Anderson — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:35:03 +0000

Hehe … GamerDad, as I read Some Guy’s fears I was just thinking of things I’ve done recently like Tycoon City New York (http://www.gamerdad.com/detail.cfm?itemID=3217) compared to Civ IV. I wasn’t dropping genres for any reason other to make sure he wasn’t scared off of this game.

My analogy would replace your D&D with “Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance :: Baldur’s Gate 2″, because of the impact of what was removed upon potential avenues of gameplay.

And Game-loving Momma – all I know is that my kids absolutely loved the game!

And GamerDad, you can be sure I will!

By: Game-loving Momma

Game-loving Momma — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:07:13 +0000

I have the DS game, but my 7-yr-old son wasn’t that interested in playing it. His father, on the other hand… I really appreciated the pared-down gameplay offered on the DS. It was easy to get in to, and easy to save/quit when my kids needed me for something (the three-dimensional world comes first… I guess…) My husband didn’t like it so much at first- he’s a huge fame of the PC version- but has since come to appreciate the game for what it is- more portable than the laptop!

I didn’t really get this one for the kids, anyway. This one was for Momma’s DS! I would think it is more geared to an older child, say, 10 or so.

By: GamerDad

GamerDad — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:22:38 +0000

BAH!
Civilization simulates mankind’s noble and relentless stumble toward … civilization… through the pitfalls and travails of history. It does so in a turn-based fashion. You know where you can stuff your genres Mike? Feel free to write up the DS version, ‘specially if your kids played it at all.

Some Guy, I can’t think of a more recommendable game for beginning to intermediate empire builders.

Analogy time!

Old School Basic D&D::Advanced D&D
Civ Rev::CivIV

By: Mike Anderson

Mike Anderson — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:53:50 +0000

It isn’t so much of a simulation as it is Turn-based Strategy.

It is funny you put this up … I’m in the middle of an article talking about the games that dominated our vacation, and this was one.

I am rather split in my feelings about the game, but that is based on my love of the PC version. As a stand-alone I really like it and share the recommendation.

By: Some Guy

Some Guy — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:40:05 +0000

Got it today for my slightly early and completely unofficial birthday. Haven’t played it yet but I hope it’s ok for people generally cr*p at Simulation games. I rarely got past half an hour (real time) on Sim City 2000 (or 3000, I’m not entirely sure what the number was) without going bankrupt.