Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth

1. Garet1218

   Oct 24, 2014

   10

   A great throwback for Alpha Centauri fans!
   The new mechanics and atmosphere really separate it from other Civ titles, and really the themesA great throwback for Alpha Centauri fans!
   The new mechanics and atmosphere really separate it from other Civ titles, and really the themes remind me a lot more of Alpha centauri. I feel like if this had come out and Civ 5 was not a thing, it would had been held as revolutionary. I think far too many will group it with Civ 5 for using the same engine. They are two quite different games though. I say this as a long time fan.
   I for one love that they made culture more useful in a game play sense, they made espionage what it use to be back in the old days... Awesome..
   
   The tech web is probably my favorites system, I have always been a large science player.. The web and technologies they have change everything. I find myself conflicted far more often than in civ, not to mention it can be very situation based. The affinity system is awesome, and I like how it mixes.
   
   Here is my wishlish for the G&K sized expansion that should be coming
   
   -More mixed affinity unit upgrades or units, more units for pure routes to compensate.
   additional Planet ecosystem types.
   -A couple more sponsors
   -A scenario with a sentient planet.
   -A few more wonders… Expand

   • 26 of 137 users found this helpful
2. dyspeptic

   Oct 27, 2014

   8

   Last Played: Oct 2014
   
   PROS: + Espionage is completely reworked + Better units accessed through an "affinity" rather than tech system +Last Played: Oct 2014
   
   PROS: + Espionage is completely reworked + Better units accessed through an "affinity" rather than tech system + Ranged units remain important throughout the game + Visual style is quite nice + Tech web allows you to ignore certain techs
   
   CONS: - Diplo is still weak, featuring only the inclusion of "favors" for when the AI demands something for nothing - Only one navy and one air unit? Come on! - Only the might and growth virtue/policies seem worthwhile
   
   Review: I admire the risks taken with this game, and I see a lot of things that I like, as well as things that need refining, and things that should have changed, but didn't. Espionage is much better than before, having been completely reworked into a system where agents cannot access missions above the total "action limit" in the city, which increases as successful missions occur, decreasing when your enemy places an agent in the same city. Another positive change is the way higher-tier units are accessed-through the non-essential "leaves" which grant "affinity" points in the tech web. You could achieve some goals without ever levelling your unit types. Annoyingly, however, the good promotions of the past are ditched in favor of a flat 10% bonus every time the unit levels--the good promotions are now embodied by a choice which affects all units of that type on level up. One thing that was greatly improved, however was the continuing significance of ranged units (which no one built past crossbows unless they had the "improved range" perk). This is critical in SMBE because there are fewer unit types and only three factions--you need all the unit diversification you can get. EDIT: There are also unique affinity units which are unlocked at higher affinities (7+) though they are pretty much all land units.
   
   Other changes include the nice visual style (even the harshest critics acknowledge it looks different) and the ability to totally ignore techs in the web--I think it would be difficult to finish with every tech like one could before.
   
   There are some serious issues, however. The AI still regularly demands trade deals (even when they have poor relations and will reject the deal they suggested) and offers only "favors" (although I guess offering anything in return is a new feature). Furthermore, the "warmonger" feature is broken--I destroyed one outpost (not a city) and for the rest of the game I was a warmonger to every other player, leading to several 100+ turn cold wars. Speaking of annoying enemy factions, Franco-Iberia seems a bit broken, as they tend to interrupt every turn with a hate message. Wonders are accessed through tech, so it isn't clear why this should be, but it is.
   
   Further weaknesses include the further diminished air and navy (if I see these in an expansion I am going to be extremely mad--this better have been an accidental oversight and not a money-maker); and the unbalanced virtues (only might and growth get points when I play, health is poorly addressed by other trees).
   
   Basically, there are good and bad things about the game. I like it overall and I will keep playing it (hence the positive score), but Firaxis needs to patch up some holes (including missing/absurdly long unit animations and unit image superposition in the "specialize unit view" window) if they want more than just fans to like the game.… Expand

   • 3 of 16 users found this helpful
4. MrSndman

   Oct 24, 2014

   7

   Let me start by saying that I am a huge fan of the Civ series. I've played every iteration since Civ 1...and Alpha Centauri is by far myLet me start by saying that I am a huge fan of the Civ series. I've played every iteration since Civ 1...and Alpha Centauri is by far my favorite in the series. If you are looking for a sequel to AC, this ain't it. Civ BE feels like a polished mod for Civ 5 - which isn't a terrible thing. You will immediately feel at home with the interface, the units, the combat system, etc. The only noticeable change is the tech tree, which admittedly is a bit wonky. The constant presence of alien life forms is both irritating and unnerving (wait till you see the sandworm aka siege worm) and you can tell the developers want you to make nice with them and find a symbiosis, but they will seemingly randomly attack your units at the most inopportune times.
   
   Do yourself a favor and lower your expectations a bit...this is not a sequel to AC, and it's not really a sequel to Civ. Think more "Empire of the smoky skies" and less AC2 and you'll be suitably satisfied. If you're a long time Civ fan, you know you're going to buy it anyway!… Expand

   • 1 of 8 users found this helpful
5. DarkCenturion

   Oct 31, 2014

   5

   Overall, very disappointed in this game. I have been waiting for Firaxis Games to bring out a sequel to SMAC for years. I pray this is not it.Overall, very disappointed in this game. I have been waiting for Firaxis Games to bring out a sequel to SMAC for years. I pray this is not it. Take Civilization V and put it in space, you have Beyond Earth,. Its in a different party dress, but it is the same game more or less. For shame Firaxis!… Expand

   • 4 of 5 users found this helpful
6. Raziel92

   Oct 27, 2014

   4

   >> I'd just like to say that this isn't a review from an angry Alpha Centauri fan - I never played that game so I'm not comparing Beyond Earth>> I'd just like to say that this isn't a review from an angry Alpha Centauri fan - I never played that game so I'm not comparing Beyond Earth against it.… Expand

   • 5 of 8 users found this helpful
7. Critical_Fun

   Jun 10, 2015

   3

   I tried liking this. I tried for 68 hours. I don't get this game. What is the point? It's Civ V with different units and tech trees andI tried liking this. I tried for 68 hours. I don't get this game. What is the point? It's Civ V with different units and tech trees and terrain. And they are not improvements. The alien beasts require a maxed out tech tree and large army to defeat. Not sure why they did this. I ended up going back to Civ V and not looking back. I should not have spent the money on this. The worst thing about it, is that this was time wasted that they could've been working on Civ 6. Everything in this game, Civ V does a lot better.… Expand

   • 3 of 4 users found this helpful
8. Worstgamever

   Jul 30, 2022

   0

   Worst game I have ever played my entire life I would rather consume a bucket of paint

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful

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