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Civilization Revolution demo lets you test drive the reinvented wheel
The demo for Civilization Revolution is available for download on the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. Up to now, it's been pretty easy to sneer at the idea of adapting the epic Civilization strategy games to a console system. Ha ha. Yeah, right. Like you were going to play a game like Civilization with a gamepad, in front of a TV, sprawled on a couch. Oh, for fun! And to think that it was also being made for the Nintendo DS. Oh, man, what will those jokers at Firaxis think of next?
Of course, then you actually played the demo. At which point you went scrambling online to see when this thing comes out*.
You were reminded of the way Civilization IV questioned a lot of Civilization assumptions for the better. Civ IV was a Reformation. That's a bit of what's going on here, and perhaps the revolution moniker is appropriate for the way even more Civ assumptions are overthrown in favor of something simpler and more streamlined, something well suited to a few hours sprawled on a couch sans mouse. You were delighted at the epiphany that someone behind Revolution is obviously into boardgaming. For instance, check out this list of all the civilizations' special bonuses. Those are some seriously broad, boardgame-inspired rules. There's not a single one of those that won't have you going, "Ooh, I want that one!"
In the demo, you can only play as the Romans or Egyptians. Your game will stop at 1250AD, just as things are getting interesting. But to be fair, my guess is that "just as things are getting interesting" applies to the entirety of a game of Revolution. That seems to be the point, which goes back to Sid Meier's principle that a game is a series of interesting decisions.
Also, I'm guessing that if this thing works well on the Nintendo DS, it could be one of the greatest time-wasters since porn.
* When I say "you", I really mean "me". Also, July 8.
By JOSHUA TREE at 1:55 PM ON 06/09/08
What do you mean "Civ4 questioned a lot of Civ assumptions for the better. Civ4 was a Reformation"? Are you saying that consubstantiation is better than transubstantiation? Are you a closet anti-Catholic?? Have you been hanging out with John Hagee???
Also, your comments security text starts out with the letters PKK, which is outrageously and offensively anti-Turkish.
By Zeus at 8:36 PM ON 06/09/08
I can't wait for Civ DS.
It's the closest thing I'll ever get to Portable Master of Magic. :D
Age of Empires DS is nice and all, but it's just not the same. I'm most of the way through the campaign mode and I've encountered, like, one or two diplomatic/Wonder victory conditions. The rest is just kill, kill, kill, bleeyawn.
By Justin Fletcher at 10:58 PM ON 06/09/08
I was pleasantly surprised by how well the 360 demo panned out for Civ Rev. The interface was better implemented than I expected. And I'm one of those Civ IV players who love the game but wouldn't mind a little streamlining, so I'm really looking forward to hearing whether or not the experiment works. That said, I'll probably buy the DS version on Day 1 and cross my fingers.
A couple of disappointments:
1) The lack of different map sizes could be a major stumbling block. I generally don't play sprawling games of Civ, anyway, but I know a lot of people do. I'm sure this decision was made to keep the duration of online matches reasonable, but I fear it's going to be a huge turn-off for veterans.
2) "But, Justin, the game is arguably targeted at new players more than veterans anyway!" Then why didn't they make the demo more friendly to the uninitiated? I'm talking about the almost non-existent Civilopedia. I can understand cutting out a lot of the mid and late game content since the demo only goes up to 1250AD. But why is the only unit entry a description of an ICBM? Surely an entry on Caravans would be more useful? While the tutorial playthrough does touch on a lot of the basics, more information should have been provided to give rookies a better sense of the overall mechanics and flow of the game.
By Caukin at 10:34 AM ON 06/13/08
Wow! I just played this Demo last night. I was a HUGE fan of the first Civilization game with the blocked units with a picture on it. After that I never really played other Civilization games, I tried once but nothing came from it. This is like a updated version of the first game. I cant wait for it to come out!
Caukin:
Wow! I just played this Demo last night. I was a HUGE fan of the first Civilization game with the blocked units wi...More »