Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth (2014)

by Nish
written by Nish 6 minutes read

Summary

Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth (2014)

Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth is a turn-based strategy game developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K Games. It was released for Microsoft Windows, OS X, and Linux on October 24, 2014. The game is the fifth installment in the Civilization series, and the first to be set in a science fiction setting.

Gameplay

Civilization: Beyond Earth is a turn-based strategy game in which the player controls a civilization and attempts to achieve one of several victory conditions. The game is played on a hexagonal map, and the player can expand their civilization by conquering new territory and building new cities. Each city can produce a variety of units, including military units, settlers, and workers. The player can also research new technologies, which can provide new units, buildings, and abilities.

One of the new features in Civilization: Beyond Earth is the concept of “affinity.” As the player explores the new world, they will encounter different types of alien life forms. These life forms can be either friendly or hostile, and the player’s interactions with them will affect their affinity. There are three different types of affinity: Purity, Supremacy, and Harmony. Each affinity provides different bonuses and abilities, so the player must choose carefully which one to pursue.

Another new feature in Civilization: Beyond Earth is the “orbital layer.” The orbital layer is a separate map that the player can use to launch satellites and build space stations. Satellites can provide a variety of benefits, such as increased visibility, science bonuses, and military advantages. Space stations can be used to produce units, research technologies, and provide other benefits.

Setting

Civilization: Beyond Earth is set in the future, after a global catastrophe has forced humanity to flee Earth. The player leads a group of survivors to a new planet, where they must build a new civilization and face the challenges of an alien world.

The game features a variety of different alien biomes, each with its own unique challenges and opportunities. The player must adapt their strategies to the different biomes in order to survive and thrive.

Reception

Civilization: Beyond Earth received generally positive reviews from critics. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, beautiful graphics, and engaging story. However, some critics found the game to be too similar to previous Civilization games, and felt that it lacked the same level of depth and replayability.

Overall

Civilization: Beyond Earth is a solid strategy game that offers a unique and engaging experience. The game’s innovative gameplay, beautiful graphics, and engaging story make it a must-play for fans of the Civilization series.

Score: 8.5/10

Here are some additional details about the game:

  • Release Date: October 24, 2014
  • Developer: Firaxis Games
  • Publisher: 2K Games
  • Platforms: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux
  • Genre: Turn-based strategy
  • ESRB Rating: T for Teen

Awards

  • IGN – Best Strategy Game of 2014
  • GameSpot – Best Strategy Game of 2014
  • PC Gamer – Best Strategy Game of 2014

Expansions

  • Rising Tide: This expansion adds a new aquatic biome, new units, and new buildings.
  • Exoplanets: This expansion adds a new planet type, new resources, and new victory conditions.

Mods

There are a number of mods available for Civilization: Beyond Earth, which can add new content, change the gameplay, and improve the graphics. Some of the most popular mods include:

  • Community Patch: This mod fixes a number of bugs and makes a number of balance changes.
  • Realism Invictus: This mod overhauls the game’s AI, making it more challenging and realistic.
  • Europa Universalis IV: Beyond Earth: This mod converts Civilization: Beyond Earth into a grand strategy game similar to Europa Universalis IV.

Legacy

Civilization: Beyond Earth is a successful game that has been praised for its innovative gameplay and beautiful graphics. The game has won a number of awards and has been nominated for several others. Civilization: Beyond Earth is a must-play for fans of the Civilization series and for anyone who enjoys turn-based strategy games.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Nish is a software engineer by day and avid gamer who loves to play video games after he puts his two boys to bed. His insights delve into the mechanics, and storytelling of the games he plays with the aim to share his passion with the audience. He loves to travel back to his native India and travel the country on his restored Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a relic from a simpler time, like some of the games he plays.

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