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Streamlined, fun version, not for supergeeks

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 16
Date: July 10, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This game is not for super civ heads. Civ is extrodinarily complicated and takes months to learn and play well. The average console player simply doesn't have the attention span. This is a great way to play a quick, turn based mental exercise and a great change of pace from all the shooters. Ignore the civheads reviews, of course they are not going to like it.

Civ streamlined

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 9
Date: July 14, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I can't stop playing this game. I am an old Civ fan since the first version so I was excited about how this would be on a console. I am very happy with the result.

I've read other reviews that are knocking the game's short length and lack of options, but I think those people are missing the point of this game. This is not Civ for the PC. This is as close to pick-up-and-play Civ as you can get and still retain the deep level strategy aspect of it.

Some would argue that since it has been scaled down that it loses its deep strategy. I disagree. After all, chess is a game with only 64 square and 16 pieces but unlimited depth of strategy.

The graphics are more than good enough for a game like this. With this being a turn-based strategy I wasn't expecting much, so I actually think the animations are just overkill.

I do have some gripes. I would have liked the world to be bigger. I like the exploration aspect of the game and with its limited size, you've seen everything in the first hour or so. Also, I expected a greater variation of units, helicopters, jet planes, APCs, snipers, etc.

Give the demo a try, you may like it. If not, try to see past your personal preferences and don't knock it for being what it is.

Great game for all ages

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 7
Date: July 25, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Like many of the reviewers, I too have played Civ games for a long time. I am not disappointed though. To me, it seems that the endless amounts of staring at the computer screen while my units move or take several turns to do what I've told them to do is now finally gone. This new era of "simplified" Civ actually means a cleaner visual with nice vignettes, decisions that are more instinctual, plenty of teachable moments with my children about how civilizations are born and ruled, and the best part about it is that I don't have to spend 6 months to conquer the world. I could do it in one day. The sheer volume of hours that I've spent in past Civ games watching units and workers just move around the screen could all have been used for some greater good if I'd had access to this newer, faster version. Thanks Sid!

Unleash the Dogs of Gaming...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: July 28, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Unlike the vast majority of reviewers posting here, I've never played any of the previous Civ games on the PC. Yep, I'm a Civirgin, and one of the people that Civ Rev was designed for - the uninitiated console gamer. And as a fan of turn-based strategy games, let me say that this game is a highly addictive funnel which will suck away hours of your life as you battle and build your mighty empire.

Playing one of 16 civilizations, you'll be tossed onto a randomly generated map with four other leaders where you found your capital city and begin your quest for victory. Winning is possible in four different categories: Domination, Technology, Economic, or Cultural. Upon founding your city, your workers will start to harvest the raw materials to begin producing units and buildings. Units are mostly military in nature, and designed for offensive or defensive purposes, depending on what sort of victory you're going for. Buildings are used to enhance your city and push it in one of several directions, making it a production or cultural powerhouse that also reaps gold or scientific knowledge to advance your technology.

Which brings us to the Tech Tree, obviously important for a technological victory, but vitally important for the others as well. Initially your starting civ will have the ability to learn only four technologies - Alphabet, Bronze Working, Horseback Riding, or Pottery. An advisor instructs you as to the benefits and uses of each technology, letting you know if it's primarily for cultural, scientific or military use. Learning a tech unlocks further techs, taking you from archers and warriors to modern infantry, tanks, battle ships and bombers. The handy Tech Tree - showing all techs and what is needed to unlock them - is available to view at any time, so you can plot what to research on your road to glory. Being the first to research a tech before other civs usually offers a bonus, such as a free unit or city enhancement.

The game then becomes a balancing act. Focus too much on one area, such as military production at the expense of culture, and watch as your cities begin to "flip" to civs with higher culture. Focus too much on infastructure without building defense and your neighbors will roll over you. In essence, this forces you to really think about what your next move should be and deepens the game play. Which, of course, leads to a "just one more turn" approach that has you playing long after you originally planned on quitting. And that's just Single Player mode. Toss in playing against real people over the 'net or a LAN hook-up and, well, kiss your free time goodbye...

All in all, if you enjoy strategy games, you should really enjoy this outing. Kudos to the folks that put this together for dipping their toe into the console market. And as someone untainted by experience with previous PC versions, I have no disillusions over what "could've" or "should've" been and just enjoy it for what it is.

Good Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 5
Date: July 14, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This is a very good, addicting game. If you like a challenging, play again, and again game then this is it. Games take between 45 minutes to 2 - 3 hours depending on the intracacy of your empire. The previous comments are probably justified, especially the game fly piece but are quite critical. If you are looking for a quick, fun Civ game then you cannot go wrong here. Enjoy.

A quick, stripped down version thats is a whole lotta fun!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 5
Date: July 21, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I have played this twice already and man alive do i love it! The only complaint I have is that the game ends (approx) 2100 AD...not enough time for Alpha Centuri.

Best Civ Yet!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: July 30, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This is so much fun and a really good title for the PS3! It is great for kids (helps them learn about world history) and great for adults as a strategy game. A lot of Fun! and a the game upddates new maps every week!!

Great game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 18, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Fun game and is replayable many times. Could run a little better late in the games. Graphics are pretty good also.

Very Fun & Streamlined... As They Intended

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 36 / 39
Date: July 10, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Please take the 1-star review with a grain of salt.

Sure this isn't as complex as the standard PC-based games. However everyone who is even considering buying this game already knows that. Civ Rev is intended to be a scaled-back version of the PC games that gives console players the taste of strategy that is lacking from console games without burdening them with the massive time investment which those games require.

In Revolution you can gain a victory on the same day that you start playing if you play aggressively, and that's not really such a bad thing. Then turn around play as 1 of the many other great historic leaders. If you want a greater challenge, there are difficulty settings and the highest level is far from easy.

In short, the game is fun, looks good and has enough strategy to make it a thinking game without forcing you to clear your weekend plans entirely. Perhaps this was their way of dipping their toes in the console pool and if this game takes off there just may be more complex offerings in the future that are more in line with the PC versions. Until then, have fun and don't go to a Bruce Willis movie expecting it to be Citizen Cane, which is what the 1-star reviewer has essentially done.

Missing one thing

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 11 / 12
Date: July 10, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I've been playing Civilization since 1992 when it was available on my high school server for students to play during free time in our computer classes. We knew this new version of the game would be lacking a few things when we read the previews. There is one thing I was not aware would be missing when I purchased the game. The special victories (cultural, domination, economic, technology) have been available in the series for a while now. However, there has always been the ability to uncheck or disable these victories and continue game play. I was VERY disappointed to find that after only four hours of game play that I could not go on any further. This makes it very difficult to make it as far as discovering flight let alone participate in a space race. The lack of all other features is acceptible to me since I get the chance to play Civilization in HD widescreen for the first time (and with a joystick). It's just the fact that I am unable to play the game all the way to when I say I'm done that drives me to give my favorite game ever only four stars out of five. This will be the biggest flaw to be cautious of for long time fans of the game.

P.S. If I am wrong about this flaw and there is a way to turn off these special victories, somebody please let me know!

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