Summary
- Release Year: 2015
- Genres: Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS)
- Platforms: Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: Firaxis Games
- Publishers: 2K Games
Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth – Rising Tide: A Comprehensive Review
Released in 2015, Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth – Rising Tide is the second expansion pack for the popular 4X strategy game Civilization: Beyond Earth. Rising Tide expands the base game in significant ways, adding new factions, units, buildings, and gameplay mechanics. It also introduces a new resource, Firaxite, which is essential for building and upgrading certain late-game units and buildings.
One of the most significant additions in Rising Tide is the inclusion of four new factions: the ARC, the Polaris, the United Colonies, and the Voidbringers. Each faction has its own unique strengths and weaknesses, and players must carefully consider which faction to play as based on their preferred playstyle.
The ARC is a faction of scientists and engineers who are focused on technological advancement. They have a number of unique abilities that give them an advantage in research and production, and they can also build a special type of unit called the ARC Projector, which can be used to teleport units around the map.
The Polaris are a faction of explorers and colonists who are focused on expanding their territory and building a strong economy. They have a number of unique abilities that give them an advantage in exploration and colonization, and they can also build a special type of unit called the Polaris Frigate, which is a powerful naval unit.
The United Colonies are a faction of diplomats and traders who are focused on building relationships with other factions and establishing a strong economy. They have a number of unique abilities that give them an advantage in diplomacy and trade, and they can also build a special type of unit called the United Colonies Cruiser, which is a versatile naval unit that can be used for both offense and defense.
The Voidbringers are a faction of mystics and spiritualists who are focused on harnessing the power of the Void, a mysterious energy that permeates the universe. They have a number of unique abilities that give them an advantage in espionage and warfare, and they can also build a special type of unit called the Voidbringer Interceptor, which is a powerful air unit that can attack both ground and air units.
In addition to the new factions, Rising Tide also adds a number of new units, buildings, and gameplay mechanics. These include:
- New units: The expansion pack adds a number of new units, including the ARC Projector, the Polaris Frigate, the United Colonies Cruiser, the Voidbringer Interceptor, and the Firaxis Carrier. These units each have their own unique abilities and can be used to give players a significant advantage in combat.
- New buildings: Rising Tide also adds a number of new buildings, including the ARC Nexus, the Polaris Starport, the United Colonies Commerce Center, and the Voidbringer Temple. These buildings each provide unique benefits to players, and can help them to develop their economy, research new technologies, and train new units.
- New gameplay mechanics: Rising Tide introduces a number of new gameplay mechanics, including the Firaxite resource, the Affinity system, and the World Congress. Firaxite is a new resource that is essential for building and upgrading certain late-game units and buildings. The Affinity system allows players to choose between three different affinities (Harmony, Supremacy, and Purity) which provide different bonuses and penalties. The World Congress is a new diplomatic body that allows players to pass resolutions that can affect the game in a variety of ways.
Overall, Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth – Rising Tide is a significant expansion pack that adds a lot of new content and gameplay mechanics to the base game. The new factions, units, buildings, and gameplay mechanics all work together to create a more varied and challenging experience for players. Whether you’re a new player to Beyond Earth or a veteran of the series, Rising Tide is definitely worth checking out.
Score: 9/10
Review Score
9/10
Art
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