Sid Meier's Civilization: Revolution (2008 Video Game) User Reviews

Clunky but addictive

[outrunkid · 9/10 · 3 September 2019]

I'm not a big strategy gamer but when this was released way back when, it intrigued me and I just really wondered what it would be like. I'd heard that strategy games of this sort was best played on the PC so I was sceptical of trying it out and wasting my money. But then a few weeks ago I saw it dirt cheap on PS3 and thought why not at least give it a go?

I have not been left disappointed. I really have gotten into this game and to be quite honest I'm playing it far too much for my own good - but that's the whole point that I love this game - it's so addictive. The whole idea of building a society up and then exploring new lands and meeting opposing leaders is simply so much fun.

I won't go too deep into the mechanics of the game but granted I can see how some people can see this as clunky and a bit of a slog but in my opinion that's something of the charm of it.

If you're new to strategy games and would prefer a console alternative to the PC versions you could do a lot worse then Civ: Rev. If you already into strategy you might be slightly disappointed by the whole design, layout and limited options available.

Overall, a fun, addictive game!

PS - The leader character animations in my opinion are just HILARIOUS!

An addictive luck-based game that masquerades as a strategy game

[thedsciple · 3/10 · 12 January 2022]

The game certainly is addictive and would have been a perfect game if the game were not based almost entirely on luck. Basically, your strategy means little in this game because the A. I. does not follow the same ruleset you are restricted by. In short, the AI cheats relentlessly in this game.

You're "lucky" if you can win a battle with an army going up against a small squad of AI-controlled enemies that are only equipped with bows and arrows. Whether you will win a battle or not depends upon if the win would be crucial to you gaining a significant foothold in the game. For instance, the AI will throw you a win in the beginning when you're scouting around and going up against barbarians. However, later in the game when civilizations are growing stronger your numerous armies will be defeated by one Rambo-like AI squad with a mere bow and arrow. You'll watch the fight frantically as your entire army just dances around attacking noone and then gets knocked into next week by a single squad from the AI.

Meanwhile, when you try to do the same you'll be easily defeated by the AIs army. Likewise, AIs will take your cities instantly and should you attack them right after they took the city with one squad you'll be met with legions of resistance from the city they just tookover. Somehow the AI is able to magically spawn zillions of soldiers within a second to stop you from retaking your city!

Lastly, as soon as you create a spy and begin moving it to sabotage the AI cities soldiers will appear near the spy out of nowhere and hurry to capture it. On the other hand, you won't even be able to see their spies moving towards YOUR cities; you'll just get a notification that your defenses have been broken and then the AI will conduct an insta-takeover. As stated the game is addictive but overall its broken, poorly designed, and therefore frustrating. The AI cheats like crazy. The combat outcome is always random no matter what you do (and this randomness benefits the AI more than 99% of the time), and the overall strategy element is nearly non-existent.

This is a luck-based game and not a strategy game. Pass on this one if you're looking for a real strategy game.