Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth

Since it’s release in Sept 2010, Civilization V has remained one of the world’s most played PC games. With it’s clean graphics, engaging tactics and impressive turn based strategy, it’s easy to see why it appeals to a wide range of gamers. Firaxis have perfected their vision of the 4X sub-genre over the years (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate), and Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth takes this platform into deep space.

You start the game in a similar fashion to traditional Civilization, choosing one of eight different expedition sponsors, each with its own leader and unique gameplay benefits. Because of the ‘The Great Mistake’ earth is no longer inhabitable, but you never find out what this is. I choose to imagine that my recent exploits in Civilization V have led to the worlds destruction. Settle on alien worlds with just a handful of colonists, and build a new sprawling civilization among the stars.

The gameplay is the same as Civilization V; politics, resource management, building, and of course warfare. To be honest you could argue that this is little more than a glorified expansion pack. Many of units, buildings and technologies can be directly compared to the original. However as the old adage goes “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it”, and Firaxis know how to deliver an addictive 4X game. The long weekend may not be enough for this game. One. More. Turn.

It’s available now on PC. For more info: https://www.civilization.com/en/games/civilization-beyond-earth/