Sid Meier's Civilization V

The fifth edition of the Civilization series traditionally brings big changes, both in the audiovisual side of the game as well as in its content.

Considerable changes were made starting with user interface, which can now be described as clear, minimalistic, and user friendly. Not all features and functions are available immediately on the screen, but even those hidden can be accessed with a single click of the mouse. Notifications are now in form of icons, so you no longer have to wade through a long lists of text messages. All of these changes, however, only serve to improve the controls. This by no means makes the gameplay mechanics any shallower than before.

For the first time in the history of the series hexagonal grid on the world map was introduced. This provides players with more tactical possibilities during warfare. New presentation of the world also allows much more intuitive exploration and development of your territory.

Along with new artworks the game also offers significantly altered combat system. Only one unit of a given type can stand on a single tile (i.e. one military, civil, air, and special unit, each marked with an appropriate flag, so you did not get confused). This goes hand in hand with the incrfeased importance of the terrain. Modifiers to attack or defense given by rivers, mountains, hills, etc., have now greater importance than in previous games of the series. Another novelty is the possibility of firing enemy positions from behind the front line.

Those who chose dialogue over war have nothing to complain about too. Sid Meier's Civilization V for PC introduces very complex diplomatic relations between rivaling powers. There are also free cities, i.e. neutral nations limited to a single metropolis. These do not try to compete with the player neither do they seek to expand their territory, but instead make up something of NPC’s from roleplaying games. The game has also a built-in browser, through which you are able to participate in the community life, as well as search, grade, and install modifications – all while in the game.

Complementing the single player campaign is of course the online multiplayer mode. Civilization V for PC uses a new graphics engine with DirectX 11 support. Maps are now more detailed and look natural. Some care was even put to include geographical differences, so that e.g. forests look different depending on the continent. Diplomacy screen is in full 3D and all rulers have their own animated background. Much effort was applied to audio track, which is best illustrated by the fact that all the leaders speak in their native language.

Last updated on August 14, 2015