Civilization Revolution on the Nintendo DS succeeds. I'll get that out of the way first. If you enjoy the Xbox 360 or PS3 version for their game play, you should be happy with this version as well. Although, there are some noteworthy differences.
1. Graphics. Of course a Nintendo DS game won't compare with an Xbox 360/PS3 game, that comes with the territory. In this version, the map is displayed on both screens depending on what you are doing. The map is simple, but you can clearly make out the differences between water, mountains, and land. The different units can also be made out clearly, a catapult looks nothing like a warrior, and a warrior doesn't look like an archer. That said, your warrior does look like your opponents warrior, except for the toga color. And finally, whenever you enter into an altercation, the action is displayed on the top screen. The units fight, and it all looks very clean and un-scripted.
2. Sound. The Nintendo DS does not have music during gameplay. So if you cannot stand a silent battle field, you may need to put on some background music. There are battle sounds. Airplanes flying, guns shooting, arrows twanging. You can hear your troops marching across the ground, and your ships sailing across the seas. But still, no music.
3. No Civlopedia. In case you didn't know, there is a rather large encyclopedia in the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game. This details everything you could ever want to know about anything in the game. It provides a comprehensive history on each of the leaders and techs, and gives an explanation about each unit and even resources and different land types. Many will not find this to be a notable exclusion from the game, but some might.
Aside from these differences, Civilization Revolution is built on the same game engine from the console versions. Therefore it plays exactly the same. You'll find that the A.I. can be very aggressive, especially on higher difficulties, which may turn some people off the game who want to go for victory conditions other than domination. Speaking of victory conditions, there are four.
Domination: Destroy the other civilizations.
Technology: Build the space program and launch it to Alpha Centauri.
Economic: Build the World Bank.
Cultural: Build the United Nations.
There are lots of scenarios for you to try, and plenty of Civilizations to play as. As far as turn based strategy games go for the Nintendo DS, Civ. Rev. cannot be beaten, not even by Advanced Wars.
I haven't had the chance to test the multiplayer for the game due to an unreliable internet connection, but for anyone out there, the online multiplayer is bound to add legs.
Conclusion: If possible, I would recommend renting Civilization Revolution on the Xbox 360 or PS3 to be sure that you even like the game. If possible in your area, you may even be able to rent the DS version. For those of you who enjoy games like Civ 3 or 4, Civilization Revolution is a game for you on the go. It's a much simpler version than the PC games, but that's to be expected for a handheld iteration. Whether you're new to the series, or a veteran, it's hard to go wrong with the handheld version of one of gaming's most beloved franchises.
GamerZines writes:
In an exclusive interview with FirstLook Magazine, Firaxis' Dennis Shirk has revealed that there aren't any future plans to bring Civilization to consoles again, despite the lure of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox 720 lurking around the corner.
Firaxis notably tried to bring their grand strategy series to consoles in 2008 with Civilization Revolution, but it seems the studio are hesitant to make the same jump in the future despite the recent multi-format success of XCOM: Enemy Unknown.
Add mouse support and itll be very right for consoles... Ps4 and the next xbox would be strong enough.
I don't even get how they came to this conclusion really. The PS3 and PS4 both will have "Move Support", which in my opinion would have worked very well with Civilization 4 as a patch (a game I still play today).
But also the next Xbox is supposed to be equipped with a more accurate kinect, so I firmly believe that Civilization VI or whatever the next one is called would work great on consoles.
Civilazation V was the only game I bought for my PC in the past 10 years, one of my favorite games ever. Which btw, I'm having a heck of time getting access to because of DRM issues with Steam at the moment.
I like Civ Rev a lot on console. I like world domination type games; from the old Command & Conquers on PC/PS1 (I mostly played Red Alert Retaliation).
The current gen C&C didn't interested me (Red Alert 3), but Civ Rev filled that void nicely, even though I know C&C is real time and Civ is turn based.
I'd definitely be in the market for a good Civilization or C&C type game next gen.
The PS3 already had mouse and keyboard support through the USB.
If NeXbox and PS4 is going to be similar to a PC than adding such support features shouldn't be hard.
the ps4 pad has a trackpad on it and the wiiU has a tablet for a controller.
If those aren't perfect imputs for a strat game i don't know what is.
The ps4 has a touchpad, not a trackpad. It could still possibly be used as such, though.
That would be a mouse.
A touch screen is inferior for gaming (or anything requiring precision controls)... what makes you think a touch pad would be even better?
because its basically a mouse. It does the same thing. for the basic inputs needed for civ both would be more than adequete and much more suited than a traditional controller.
The team are “sceptacle” about whether the use of a light partnered up with a motion sensing camera, as is the case with the Lightbar-enthused Dual Shock controller and the PlayStation 4 console, could replicate the dexterity PC players enjoy with a mouse and keyboard"
Never did I think that's what it should be used for. Should just be able to plug-in a mouse and keyboard on PS4. With Sony pushing social features, PS4 has to have mouse and keyboard support. It would be stupid not to. No one wants to write out stuff using the d-pad. I will have to see how the touchpad works before I give my opinion on that.
This week’s Xbox LIVE enabled release for Windows Phone 7 is a new adaptation of the critically acclaimed Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution, known on the mobile format as simple Civilization Revolution. Available to download now, Civilization Revolution is a turn-based strategy videogame.
Microsoft Studios has revealed the upcoming release of 2K Games’ Civilization Revolution on the Windows Phone 7 mobile gaming format. A younger sibling to the critically acclaimed home console releases, Civilization Revolution will surely become one of the most highly anticipated titles for the platform.
These games always caught my eye but I need direct control and straight up action for my blood to really get pumping.
Not really something to get excited about, its very watered down for consoles in comparison to CIV 4 n 5 on PC.
i enjoyed Civ rev more than CIV 5... CIV5 was a let down for me and many fans of the series
Civ Rev was a pretty decent game on 360. Even a watered down Civ game still has some depth to it. I really enjoyed multiplayer, but the games could still take a couple of hours so randoms would never stick around that long.
