It’s been five years, but Sid Meier is back with a new Civilization game. Civilization V is due out in Fall of 2010, and the official site has a few tantalizing screenshots.
The most immediately noticeable change is the hexagonal tiles, which make it look a bit like a PC version of Settlers of Catan.
I, for one, welcome our new Firaxis overlords. Civilization IV is one of the best games ever made, and it’s one I return to whenever possible. Its expansion, Beyond the Sword, was the best expansion to a game I ever bought. Frankly, they could just continue to release expansions and I would be a happy camper. I hope that the latest iteration has a more robust multiplayer aspect (something Meier specifically mentioned in his statement today over at Gamasutra) and a more dynamic set of AI personalities.
Civ IV was so great, why mess with a good thing? I didn’t much care for Civilization: Revolution, the Xbox 360 game released in 2008, and better graphics don’t necessarily improve a game—they totally killed the Caesar franchise (Caesar IV was nigh unplayable as its graphics created unprecedented bugs and glitches). But it does look beautiful.
One thing’s for sure: I’ll need to upgrade my computer before Fall 2010. And stock up on food and water. For a few weeks. Months, maybe…
Now when’s the next Pirates game?
Torie Atkinson just wants one…more…turn…