Overall: During my youth, many Saturdays were spent playing Castle Risk. The game that was all about strategy and a little luck. Depending on how advanced my opponents were, games could end up lasting 2-4 hours each. I had thought those days were over until I played Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution. With the ability to control 16 different empires, players will be able to test their skill in a “risk like” setting. The choices include :Abe Lincoln: United States, Alexander: Greeks, Bismarck: Germany, Caesar: Rome, Catherine the Great: Russia, Elizabeth I: England, Gandhi: India, Isabella I: Spain, Genghis Kahn: Mongolia, Mao Tse @!%#*!: China, Cleopatra: Egypt, Montezuma: Aztec Nation, Napoleon: France, Saladin: Arabia, Shaka Zulu: Zulu Nation, and Tokugawa Ieyasu: Japan. Each nation or empire has its own advantages and disadvantages. That is the real beauty of this game, and where strategy comes into play. Sometimes these lessons are learned the hard way. Especially if you underestimate your opponent(s). There are five levels of difficulty, so if you think you are a Civilization stud, move up a level and see how more challenging it really is.
Gameplay: Gameplay is fairly simple but very addictive. You are the master of your empire, creating units and buildings striving to reach one of the four conditions for victory. These include a domination victory, where your military might was shown, as you crushed all other empires under the might of your military. Another victory could come in the form of a cultural victory, as you discovered, robbed, or help convert 20 great people form history. Once this has been accomplished, you will be given the power to build the United Nations and achieve victory. An economic victory comes in the form of gold. Once you have reached a pre-determined amount of gold, you will win. Lastly a technology victory is triggered by reaching a pre-determined level of technology. Every empire plays differently, so depending on what condition you want to reach, you may want to select a certain empire. Be warned, once you are about to achieve a victory condition, you become public enemy number one. All alliances will be broken and you will be hunted down. There is nothing like being attacked from every angle, and holding your breath in anxiousness, hoping that your cities defenses will hold for 2 more turns so you can hold out and win. Graphics: Visually, the game has been simplified, but I thin it looks great on the 360. The level of detail that is on the PC version is not there, but it still allows for a great overall experience, and does not detract from the game. The units have just enough detail that you will enjoy watching them change as they rank up. The Cities and maps are easy to see and empire leaders are well done. Sound: From an audio standpoint, the combat is absolutely a delight to listen to. Weather its swords clashing, tanks firing, or airplanes attaching, it helps add to the enjoyment of the game. The leaders do not speak, but engage in a sim language, this hilarious the first few times you listen to it. After that, you may want to turn down the in game options for dialogue. Suggestions: The only suggestions and concerns I have would be the option to turn off the dialogue from the advisors and fellow leaders. After a few hours in a game, it can become irritating. Also, their seems to be a slow down in the game when an 360 achievement is awarded. This tends to happen a lot at the first, when players might be winning a majority of the achievements in their first play through. This is my very first review, but I wanted to let everyone know about this game. There has been only one other game since the 360 launched that has caused me to become addicted like I have. In fact, I have taken a few days off work to play and I am staying up until 2:00 am on work days to play. I absolutely love this game!
Made in Canada