CIV BE review 1

When Firaxis announced Civilization: Beyond Earth, it got many fans excited. Players imagined the addictive, replayable nature of previous Civilization games combined with the unknown of science fiction and outer space. Could Beyond Earth live up to expectations? Well, mostly yes.

The premise of the game is fairly straight forward. Our civilization ruined Earth. It’s not made entirely clear what happened, and depending on how you play the game you might find particular hints to give credence to one idea or another. However, no matter what happened on Earth, it’s now up to you to forge a new civilization on a totally foreign planet. The game follows the same turn-based systems as previous Civ games and has similar units to what you might expect – there are the same starting explorers, workers and even weakling soldiers. Space travel apparently also makes us lose some of our technical know-how and military strength. Not worry, these will all be rebuilt in new ways on our new world.

CIV BE set up 1

Before the game begins, you can set up your game by choosing your starting civilization, which cargo, passengers and tech you bring along. Of course, you might plan on playing an awesome culture and research game only to find that you need more military might because you’re surrounded by alien nests. Alternatively, you might arrive on the planet with more military strength only to find that you are all alone and free to roam and explore without any danger. Your starting choices will certainly impact the beginning parts of the game as they assist you in managing health, wealth and knowledge.

I find the early part of the game to be rather difficult depending on your starting environment. With only early technology, the aliens seem incredibly over powered. Once you start researching and gaining affinity upgrades, they become easy to destroy, but in those starting 50 turns players can easily be overwhelmed by the alien nests and siege worms.

CIV BE preview aliens

Affinities and Virtues are incredibly important in Civilization: Beyond Earth. Affinities are divided into Purity, Harmony and Supremacy. Each one has its own view on how humanity should advance in the new civilization. Purity wants to keep humans as they were and bring those we left behind on Earth to join us on our new planet while Harmony wants to incorporate alien life into our own so that we can improve ourselves going forward. Supremacy is also oriented towards improving ourselves, but this affinity is geared towards cybernetic advancement to ensure that we can live on any planet without difficult. Each of these affinities have direct impacts on the game – from victory conditions to military upgrades and buildings, everything links back to affinity.

When I initially started playing, I thought that I would focus on only one affinity. However, each one has various benefits. I now tend to push for an initial point in Purity early on in the game so that my explorers can see the world without threats from the alien life forms. After that, I decide if I want to carry on with that affinity or pursue Harmony or Supremacy.

CIV BE review 3

Virtues are similar to the social policies of Civilization V, but with a far greater impact. They are awarded when your civilization gains enough culture, with each successive virtue costing an increasing amount of culture. Beyond awarding free workers or colonists, virtues can also improve production times, science and health. Depending on your environment and play style, you may find certain virtue trees more useful; I totally ignored the military tree until I found upgrades that actually improved my health, something that seems to get out of hand far too quickly in Civilization: Beyond Earth.

An excellent difference between virtues and social policies is that virtues have vertical and horizontal rewards. Grabbing all the tier one virtues across the various trees will still yield excellent rewards and bonuses. This means that you can find the balance between production, research or growth without sacrificing long-term rewards.

Completely new in the series is the tech web. I thought that technology would just be a way to get new units, buildings and wonders. However, it’s also the main way to get affinity points. While main research topics like genetics or robotics are affinity agnostic, the sub-technologies are linked directly to the particular affinities, granting you affinity points and bonuses as well as affinity specific building options.

CIV BE reivew 4

While the technologies may be confusing at first, it becomes easier over time as you learn which buildings, passive abilities and resources your particular civilization requires. It also becomes clear overtime that rushing for particular high level technology isn’t worthwhile – you will require various lower level tech in order to make use of the high-end knowledge. For example, pushing for the various research required for affinity-based victories is useless until your affinity level is high enough to actually build the final wonder required for victory. This means you have to take a more well-rounded approach to the game.

However, this means that while the early game is incredibly difficult, the end game feels like turn counting until the end. The guys at Firaxis had explained that they loved the science victory in Civilization games because it was a multifaceted victory. In Beyond Earth, the victory conditions can include building a massive warp gate and then sending units through (or summoning them to your planet) to eventually achieve victory. Unfortunately, before you can build the warp gate, you already need to pursue some high level technology and gain a minimum of 13 affinity points towards the necessary affinity (no easy task). This means that by the time you are actually in the final push towards victory, you already have all the major technology that you wanted, and you are just biding your time until you get your achievement for winning the game. It takes the challenge out of the endgame, making it feel drawn out. Of course, if you are racing another civilization for victory, this can add to the suspense.

CIV BE review 5

Speaking of achievements, there are far fewer achievements for Civilization: Beyond Earth than for previous Civilization games. With 64 Steam achievements for the game, it simply doesn’t take as long to pick up a handful; I wonder if this will affect the longevity of the game. I know I sunk hundreds of hours into Civilization V and I’m still nowhere near 100% for that game. Meanwhile, just from playing as much as I could during the embargo period I’ve already grabbed 45% of the achievements. I play these games because I enjoy them, but it might lose some replay value once I’ve garnered all 64 achievements.

Espionage and trade are much more nuanced in Civilization: Beyond Earth than in previous Civilization games. You can send trade convoys and vessels across the planet to boost energy, science and even culture and diplomacy. However, these can also be destroyed by alien life. Spies can be recruited and sent into foreign cities to siphon energy (the game’s currency), science or technology. Once a high enough level, your spies can even cause a coup or sabotage, taking over the foreign city – an ideal way to claim your enemy’s capital.

Also all new in this Civilization is the quest system. Unlike previous Civ games that used history to give the game context, Beyond Earth uses a quest system. Some quests are linked to your eventual victory as you make decisions about what to do with aggressive vegetation or wandering refugees as per your affinity. Other quests are more straight forward, involving basic espionage, killing aliens or conducting expeditions with explorers. All this helps to build your unique story of your future civilization – the choices you make can give context to how your world develops.

CIV BE review 2

Civilization: Beyond Earth certainly takes some adjustment. It’s almost nothing like Civilization V, and your usual strategies and approaches probably won’t be successful. However, once you come to understand the tools at your disposal you become totally invested in your civilization. Hours disappear as you motor through turn after turn, developing your perfect future civilization and taking over the new world.

Beyond the deep strategy and all new mechanics, the game also looks gorgeous. With excellent textures, various biomes and creative unit design, the game is a joy to look at as you progress from turn to turn. It’s particularly enjoyable to watch your city and units change design as your affinity progresses. With engaging (yet not distracting) music, the aesthetics of the game come together beautifully.

 

Last Updated: October 23, 2014

Civilization - Beyond Earth
While the core game is excellent, it might be extremely difficult for new players. There are plenty of options for replay, but the game might not have the same replay value as previous entries in the franchise. A solid title that will make fans of the Civilization franchise extremely happy, and might even attract some new players - if they can survive the initial challenge.
8.0
Civilization - Beyond Earth was reviewed on PC

25 Comments

  1. Bob the Zealot

    October 23, 2014 at 14:06

    Cannot wait to get my hands on this. According to Steam’s news report, 1am Friday 24 October for us. Think I can get a “quick” game in before work? 😛

    Reply

    • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

      October 23, 2014 at 14:19

      Bob on Friday morning, 07h59: “Just calling in to let you know *cough cough* that I’m really sick this morning, sir. I seem to have caught some sort of alien fever *cough cough*. Yessir. Really horrible. I can’t leave the room at the moment. It’s awful *cough cough* and I just do anything else.”

      Reply

      • Skoobaz

        October 23, 2014 at 15:16

        LOL.. Might just be Ebola?

        Reply

    • Her Highness the Hipster

      October 23, 2014 at 14:49

      Sure! there’s a quick paced mode… excellent for those with only 8 hours to play 😛

      Reply

  2. Alien Emperor Trevor

    October 23, 2014 at 14:09

    Are there other superweapons I can use in my quest for world peace or am I restricted to cleansing the heretics in nuclear fire for freedom?

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief 0

      October 23, 2014 at 14:13

      Cleansing, hehe

      Reply

  3. SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

    October 23, 2014 at 14:13

    I’m actually a little surprised by this score. I was expecting it to be a little higher. But I find myself wholly agreeing with you, Zoe. Wp on the review!

    I honestly might skip this and stick to Endless Legend for my turn based strategy.

    Reply

    • Travis

      October 23, 2014 at 14:45

      Thanks, i just learnt about Endless Legend. It also looks very good. Strange that this is the first I have heard of it though.

      Reply

    • Skoobaz

      October 23, 2014 at 15:15

      What is this “Endless Legend” you speak of? Runs off to Google….

      Reply

      • Sageville

        October 23, 2014 at 15:45

        My wife been bragging about me again….

        Reply

        • Skoobaz

          October 23, 2014 at 15:47

          I heard otherwise but hey.. 😉

          Reply

          • Sageville

            October 23, 2014 at 16:21

            I can dream can’t I?

  4. Admiral Chief 0

    October 23, 2014 at 14:13

    ONE MORE TURN

    Reply

    • Viking Of Divinity

      October 23, 2014 at 14:47

      *5 HOURS LATER*
      ONE MORE TURN

      Reply

  5. ReaperOfSquirrels

    October 23, 2014 at 14:22

    Nice review Zoe. Out of curiosity, what’s your hours of play sitting on?

    Reply

    • Viking Of Divinity

      October 23, 2014 at 14:48

      Yes! @disqus_3ihQj32EWp:disqus how many hours!?!

      Reply

      • Sageville

        October 23, 2014 at 16:22

        IT”S A TRAP!

        Reply

        • ReaperOfSquirrels

          October 23, 2014 at 16:32

          No it’s not… entirely… a… tr…

          damnit.

          Reply

  6. HvR

    October 23, 2014 at 14:31

    THIS SUCK!!! I WISH SID MEIER AND HIS CIVILIZATION WOULD DIE!!!!!!!!

    ….. where must I get the time to play it ……. *runs away to cry in the corner*

    Reply

  7. Viking Of Divinity

    October 23, 2014 at 14:42

    My Mind is Ready. I’ve been training on Paradox games for this. I’m ready to jump into this with both feet!

    Reply

  8. Ryanza

    October 23, 2014 at 14:57

    These types of games I love. But so far nothing about Beyond Earth has interested me. Besides the DRM thing, I just don’t like how this game looks. I don’t know why they went into space.

    Reply

    • RinceThis

      October 23, 2014 at 15:33

      Cus earth sucks?

      Reply

      • Sageville

        October 23, 2014 at 15:44

        Well, if you read the game synopsis it clearly states that the world order started to decay after the introduction of DRM into society, people rebelled, morals deteriorated, governments fell, all leading to total anarchy, cats and dogs living together, mass hysteria!

        Reply

  9. Sageville

    October 23, 2014 at 15:39

    My backlog is seriously taking strain.

    Reply

  10. Guava_Eater

    October 27, 2014 at 15:18

    I’ve been hooked on Civ since the first DOS version (which I gave a quick once over again last week). I suspect that this new Civ will feed my addiction accordingly. *scrounges around for a pen to fill in a leave form* Friday, you say? Hmmmmmmm……..

    Reply

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