If you, like me have managed to stay afloat the recent tsunami of video-game releases then you should know what Civilisation Revolution is (Yes, I’m spelling it the correct way). If not then you’ll at least know what Civilisation is, even if you’ve never used your PC for gaming. Oh, and it makes any difference to you, I played this demo on the Xbox 360.

Civilisation Revolution is the latest incarnation of the popular Civilisation building turn-based strategy game created by brainy man Sid Meier for the PC. On the PC, the game has enjoyed 4 popular releases (not including the fantastic spin-off Call to Power entries), with the latest bringing a handful of new features to the table and, if anything, both making the game more accessible to newcomers. Unfortunately they’ve de-Spocked the console game.

In Civilisation Revolution the PC’s key formula is not disturbed. More, in fact altered to serve as a somewhat supplementary game to the PC’s Civilisation 4. This stems from the game’s further increased accessibility and ease of use, while still retaining the ability to make you think. Many would argue that this caters to the casual gamer and, while I partially agree with this argument I feel that it is more of a game catering to the casual side of the PC, or Strategy gamer’s gaming personality.

Most of the decision-making from the original game is still intact in the console version as well as a less confusing, easier to pick up and play user interface. Another improvement of this new (taken apart and put back together) Civilisation is that they’ve streamlined the whole gameplay. Gone are the half-hour long turns involving tedious battles and army management. In are faster, simpler and generally more fun feeling management.

A huge benefit of this streamlining is that the multiplayer modes are much speedier. While I haven’t had the chance to demo those aspects (if indeed you can in the demo), I can already imagine that, had I the full game, I’d be having a lot of fun with same-room multiplayer sessions - without having to wait up to an hour for someone to decide whether they will build Archers or Settlers (The build-times are also reduced in Civilisation Revolution).

In the Demo you can choose from two Civilisations. The Egyptians or the Romans. I decided that I was more of a Ceaser than a Cleopatra so I prepared to get my empire on. Too bad then, that in the demo you’re playing through the beginnings of your Civilisation (rather than the decline which Ceaser happily saw to). I, however do greatly enjoy the beginnings of this type of strategy (as I do with Medieval 2) and was pleased with what I was offered in the Demo. I tried to attack the closest Civilisation to me, the (Italian?) Aztecs, who then proceeded to kick my arse so hard I shouted Latin obscenities at my (Standard Definition) television screen.

The graphics of the game, while reasonably bright and pretty, do little to impress but they do serve their purpose, and they fit the style of the game brilliantly. Each Civilisation has their own advisers, who pop up, spouting gibberish at you which more often than not means “What do you want to build next?”. The game overall has a bright, vibrant friendly visual style which looks more on place on the Wii than anything else. In fact, many gameplay features resonate with the Wii’s features and fanbase which is why I’m surprised that it’s not coming to Nintendo’s innuendoriffic console. Before you Nintendo fans pick up your pitchforks and torches bear in mind that the game is coming to the DS. Which (as you well know) has a generally similar gameplay style to the Wii anyway, just in handheld format.

As for the sound, I would have to say that I am not particularly happy. The advisers speak a simlish-esque gibberish which gets annoying the first time you hear it, so I don’t even want to think what a long multiplayer session would entail. The music was forgettable (and possibly non-existent) but must have been somewhat calming and non-repetitive to prevent me from bashing my head against the television every time my City-adviser pops up.

Within the demo you get to play about 20 turns, which is enough to get you into a campaign, while leaving you hanging at the end, with a thirst for more (provided you actually enjoyed it of course). I didn’t see anything in the direction of unique units unfortunately or unique anything regarding Civilisations apart from Advisers. This will not be particularly detrimental to the final product as the main reason for different civilisations lies in their strength and weaknesses. Still, it would be nice to have a bit more reason to your choice of people.

Overall I would say that this demo proceeds what I think will be a solid 8/10 title. Despite it’s many imperfections there lies a solid game behind the simple facade which has many complex choices to be made within. I do not think the the full game will sell particularly well. While there is a big drought, many gamers may be (shock horror) not playing games and going on holiday perhaps. If not, then they’ll be watching 90 minute long MGS4 cutscenes or crying over the cancellation of The Getaway (PS3).

Pros

• 16 Civilisations to choose from in the final version
• Fast-paced, streamlined main game
• Intuitive control system
• The closest you’ll get to complex strategy on a console
• Promising multiplayer
• Simplicity and complexity go hand in hand to make an accessible game (much like Soul Calibur)

Cons

• Very annoying advisers
• “English” Empire rather than British Empire (The Celtic dislike continues in it’s depiction of Scots as crazy tribesmen)
• Few defining aspects of each individual Civilisation. They’re all very similar
• You can only group together 3 units at a time, which means no large roaming armies, destroying everything in their path. They should have taken a leaf out of Total War’s book

Prons (Pros to some, Cons to others)

• The campaign will probably usually end up being a lot shorter than on the PC entries of the series
• No unique units
• Anyone can build regional wonders (such as the Taj Mahal in the Roman Empire)
• You must build up a Civilisation from the bottom
• America (depicted as modern USA) is a Civilisation. If they’re going to do that then they may as well add Kosovo to the civilization roster next year

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