Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth

 PC
User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 1084 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 343 out of 1084
  2. Mixed: 374 out of 1084
  3. Negative: 367 out of 1084
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  1. Atr0s
    Jan 22, 2015
    3
    Completely disappointing. Even though it's marketed as a completely different game, it's just a Civilization V with different wrapping. Yes, the UI is less intrusive and the game slightly more complex in some areas but there are too many downsides to it. For example, there are fewer choices of civs and all of them can pretty much follow the same paths, with their unique trait being a minorCompletely disappointing. Even though it's marketed as a completely different game, it's just a Civilization V with different wrapping. Yes, the UI is less intrusive and the game slightly more complex in some areas but there are too many downsides to it. For example, there are fewer choices of civs and all of them can pretty much follow the same paths, with their unique trait being a minor advantage at best and being the only way to distinguish themselves (they have access to the same units, no matter the path taken). They at least took note of previous criticism and actually introduced more customization as "random" event choices ("random" as they're mostly tied to your colonies' buildings and research) but failed to be creative in several other areas, for instance most of victory conditions (besides Domination) consist of researching a technology and building its associated Wonder.
    This could be a Civilization V mod if there were any grand modders like in the past (as of Civilization IV). We've got to thank the developers for that, for making such crap they basically shoved this part of the community through the back door. If you had experience with previous titles (when Civilization was still a good reference), you should stay away from this release.    … Expand
  2. 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 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 worstI 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. AlphaAtom
    Nov 9, 2014
    1
    Unfortunately, this game is pretty bad. This game isnt cooler than CIV5, but its very expensive. 1299 Rubles is very expensive for this game. And it isnt interesting and isnt beautiful.

    Gameplay is 3/10 - very stupid gameplay and thats all. and tech tree and techs at all is pathetic. Graphic is 2/10 - ugly graphics, thats all. all others is the same as in CIV5 but this game is    Unfortunately, this game is pretty bad. This game isnt cooler than CIV5, but its very expensive. 1299 Rubles is very expensive for this game. And it isnt interesting and isnt beautiful.

    Gameplay is 3/10 - very stupid gameplay and thats all. and tech tree and techs at all is pathetic.

    Graphic is 2/10 - ugly graphics, thats all.

    all others is the same as in CIV5 but this game is most expensive and very expensive and its too much.

    my rate is 1/10 becouse this game isnt good for this price. 30 $ its too much for a such bad game. CIV5 is better and cheeper. Play CIV5 and dont buy this game!    … Expand
  4. cococou
    Oct 25, 2014
    2
    Not a bad game, but is not worth the $90 price tag for Australian buyers. get it when its below $30. NOT WORTH $90 for a ADDON pack for CIV 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  5. Kriss_A
    Nov 7, 2014
    0
    Little more than a mod, being sold for full price. Absolutely disgusting and immoral. I don't understand how anyone can get behind this and support practices like this.
  6. CivforBrains
    Oct 24, 2014
    1
    Another thoroughly bad iteration of the franchise. Horrendous UI and AI, horrific diplomacy and uninteresting barbarians. Firaxis needs to bin this turkey and work on a 64 bit Civ VI that restores glory to this once "do-no-wrong" franchise. About the only good thing I can say about it is that orbital layers are cool (something I have wished for since Civ II Fantastic Worlds) and I supposeAnother thoroughly bad iteration of the franchise. Horrendous UI and AI, horrific diplomacy and uninteresting barbarians. Firaxis needs to bin this turkey and work on a 64 bit Civ VI that restores glory to this once "do-no-wrong" franchise. About the only good thing I can say about it is that orbital layers are cool (something I have wished for since Civ II Fantastic Worlds) and I suppose that they had a demo so I didn't pay $60 for Civilization 5 with a pasted on Sci-Fi theme.… Expand
  7. yaeger
    Nov 22, 2014
    0
    This is the most disappointing game from a very reputable company. Unfortunately, the game is just a re-skin of Civilization 5. It is amazing to look at, the graphics are what you would expect from a new Civilization game. However, the game runs just like Civ 5 for the most part. The technology web was not as i thought it was going to be. In Civ 5 you had a tech tree that would progressThis is the most disappointing game from a very reputable company. Unfortunately, the game is just a re-skin of Civilization 5. It is amazing to look at, the graphics are what you would expect from a new Civilization game. However, the game runs just like Civ 5 for the most part. The technology web was not as i thought it was going to be. In Civ 5 you had a tech tree that would progress you through time with different inventions and technologies. In Beyond Earth you have a Tech Web which at first is a little hard to understand, and then just turns into a mess while you are trying to stick to a certain affinity. I would not recommend this game to anyone.… Expand
  8. FellowTraveler
    Oct 30, 2014
    3
    For a game all about the future, Beyond Earth seems like a huge step into the past. This game is mediocre as a standalone, and disastrous as an entry into the Civilization series.

    I wanted to look this. I wanted to like this so very badly. I've been anxiously awaiting the next Civilization game for years! Civ 5 is one of my favorite games of all time. I was a little hesitant when I    For a game all about the future, Beyond Earth seems like a huge step into the past. This game is mediocre as a standalone, and disastrous as an entry into the Civilization series.

    I wanted to look this. I wanted to like this so very badly. I've been anxiously awaiting the next Civilization game for years! Civ 5 is one of my favorite games of all time. I was a little hesitant when I learned that it was a Sci-Fi game, as those don't tend to be my cup of tea. But then again, neither are historical strategy games - Civilization has won me over before, so I held at hope.
    And then I played this. I was bored, frustrated, and underwhelmed in minutes. But I stuck with it. I sunk hours into the game, waiting to get invested. To just... Have fun. But I never did. Every turn felt like a forced chore. The writing is absolutely atrocious. The tech quotes (those that were quotes from famous historical figures in previous games) will make you cringe they are so bad. The different factions are bland, flat, and really no different from one another. The writers merely chose a race, found every racial stereotype available for that race, and made them into a faction. Seriously, the first words from the hyper-advanced Asian faction was something along the lines of "We honor your ancestors". That works in a historical game. In a game about the future? It is laughable.
    The alien races are ugly as sin, and not in a good way. The barbarians were always obnoxious in Civilization V, but I understood their point. They weren't a huge part of the game. Aliens are EVERYWHERE in this game, and combating them just isn't fun. I don't know why, exactly, since the combat hasn't changed an inkling from Civ5 and I still love that game. But it just isn't fun.
    The tech web is a nightmare as well, since we're now dealing with future tech and future tech alone. In past games, you could get a general idea of what you were researching by the title of that research. Now you have to blindly grasp and try and figure out what a Cryo-this or Quantum-that is and how it is going to affect end game.
    Quests are a mindless time filler. They seem like a decent addition in the beginning, but they recycle quests so often that you'll have seen them all and done them all three or four times by the end of the first game.
    The AI in the Civ games has never been particularly... Well, intelligent. Somehow, it seems this game took a step backwards. The other factions seem to have no discernible personality and are unpredictable in a bad way - They'll declare war on you for no reason, almost immediately after landing. Seriously, that was my first interaction with some of them on multiple occasions. And don't get me started on their **** Remember the "Don't settle near us" complaints from the last game? Well, if you settle a city ANYWHERE on this planet, expect to hear from one or two of them, even if they are on the complete opposite side of the world. Same goes for excavating artifacts. The complaints never stop, so you'll never stop getting obnoxious still-frame popups, because they've done away with animating the actors.
    And finally, the miasma. I don't understand it. I really don't. What is the point? It is obnoxious and that's about it. It damages you when you're standing in it, and the planet is covered in it until you evolve techs to deal with it. Maybe it is supposed to be immersive, but I just find it terribly annoying.

    I uninstalled in the day after I tried it.    … Expand
  9. MaxFootroom
    Oct 31, 2014
    0
    So we made an interstellar journey and find a new world and what does this game have in store for us? The same old petty squabbling among humans that necessitated a journey to the stars in the first place. Are we really expected to believe that the colonists of a new world have nothing better to do than fight amongst themselves? I expected to have to deal with aggressive aliens, notSo we made an interstellar journey and find a new world and what does this game have in store for us? The same old petty squabbling among humans that necessitated a journey to the stars in the first place. Are we really expected to believe that the colonists of a new world have nothing better to do than fight amongst themselves? I expected to have to deal with aggressive aliens, not more stupid humans.… Expand
  10. Sergiohs
    Nov 4, 2014
    4
    The game is worse than previous civs... It should had been sold as one expansion/mod theres almost no new mechanics. Also there is a huge resolution / full screen bug which is preventing alot of people from playing the game correctly (me included).
  11. ariefbud
    Oct 28, 2014
    0
    I'm very dissapointed with this game. Firaxis stop using inexperienced lead designers. I miss time when Brian Reynolds, Soren Johnson still with Firaxis. They makes great games back then.
  12. gyrate
    Oct 26, 2014
    0
    The leaders in this game will recite the exact same lines as Civ V and this will carry on with their reactions to you building near them and so on. Unlike SMAC you can not build cities on the water. For some reason this was just too difficult for them even though modders figured it out. I can only guess it's for later DLC. People will argue that it's not supposed to be a predecessor to itThe leaders in this game will recite the exact same lines as Civ V and this will carry on with their reactions to you building near them and so on. Unlike SMAC you can not build cities on the water. For some reason this was just too difficult for them even though modders figured it out. I can only guess it's for later DLC. People will argue that it's not supposed to be a predecessor to it and it's certainly not. I wish that it was but those that want to side with that camp can take comfort that this is really just a new skin for Civ V. Jump with joy and get the DLC wave of love that makes you warm and cozy. If they make it so you can build cities on the water and give these faction leaders actual personalities let me know. Until then if you own Civ V the only reason to buy this is if you wanted a darker skin in a sci fi setting. As I feel it is half of what I desired and Firaxis continues to hate on the old school fans that made them what they are I give this a zero. Have fun milking all of your fan boys they deserve it.… Expand
  13. madskull505
    Oct 25, 2014
    1
    WTF, way too much futuristic that my brain couldn't able to comprehend what is going on. Total waste of time, nothing to learn and nothing is that much fun compared to CIV V or IV, Turn Based Strategy is DEAD.
  14. Setari
    Oct 26, 2014
    4
    This gets a 5/10 from me, because it is legitimately borked. The beginner difficulty has enemies attacking you, and the game does not do a good job of explaining what's new in the game.

    I guess I expected too much from Sid Meier in the way of a tutorial, showing what's new from Civ5. It took me forever to figure out how to get the Covert Ops units, much less these tanks and aerial units    This gets a 5/10 from me, because it is legitimately borked. The beginner difficulty has enemies attacking you, and the game does not do a good job of explaining what's new in the game.

    I guess I expected too much from Sid Meier in the way of a tutorial, showing what's new from Civ5. It took me forever to figure out how to get the Covert Ops units, much less these tanks and aerial units that the AI are using that I can't even figure out how to get, since I've searched all over the tech tree.

    Actually upon further review I am lowering this to 4/10.    … Expand
  15. asfj
    Oct 24, 2014
    3
    As a player from Civ5, I feel bored sorry because there is almost nothing new for mechanism. The game is like an official Mod upon Civ5 with a Sci-fi skin, considering the earth is still that earth just decorated with some bizarre and dark green stuff, and upgrade trees are changed by Sci-fi tokens but structures are almost the same.

    Personally, the most disappointed thing is that as a    As a player from Civ5, I feel bored sorry because there is almost nothing new for mechanism. The game is like an official Mod upon Civ5 with a Sci-fi skin, considering the earth is still that earth just decorated with some bizarre and dark green stuff, and upgrade trees are changed by Sci-fi tokens but structures are almost the same.

    Personally, the most disappointed thing is that as a space Sci-fi, there is not hierarchy of space and land to switch and interact between, as I said you are just on Weird Earth rather than Beyond Earth.
    I confess I am a bit superficial, but not upgrading graphics is also not a wise decision.

    Still a very detailed game. But I feel it lack of innovation and like a slow paced Starcraft 2. In this fast paced society, I doubt majority could be patient to play it, not to mention old players who have been familiar/bored with Civ5.
    I wish the dev could be more creative be beyond the franchise.    … Expand
  16. RKIRKLEY
    Oct 29, 2014
    0
    I have never been more disappointed in a civilization game, not only does this game feel like the same civ game we have been playing for years it feels like we have regressed backwards. The classic animation and stories we had are gone. Instead it feels as though we are playing a game with great graphics and text gui. It lacks any innovation from previous years and removes most of theI have never been more disappointed in a civilization game, not only does this game feel like the same civ game we have been playing for years it feels like we have regressed backwards. The classic animation and stories we had are gone. Instead it feels as though we are playing a game with great graphics and text gui. It lacks any innovation from previous years and removes most of the prior civs good parts. If you are an avid civ fan skip this one wait till they inevitably put in the dlcs and make us pay double the original cost for it to be any good.

    Now for my specific problems I have with the game. The intro is amazing it posits this situation in which earth is used up and we are abandoning it, however when you get to earth 2.0 (all of the planet options are just like earth, with miasma being radioactivity and aliens barbarians) there is no story, you just begin. As you begin expect immediatly to have a rival civ land right next to your city leading to inevitable conflict as this game has an extremely easy system to anger other civs. Which brings us to combat, there are 6 units, and you dont even have access to them when you begin the game. In a world in which you just presumably completed civ 5 why do we only have a basic soldier to start and a combat rover, no lasers no new tech nothing cool. This stays the same for most of the game till late game but these units really just dont do anything different they are the same 6 units just upgraded with slightly different looks and these upgrades do not make sense. You research an affinity say harmony by discovering alien genes and suddenly you can upgrade your combat rover to combat armor, now im sorry but what technology did i gain that lets me do that? NOTHING. This infuriating lack of technology to combat upgrades continues into the branching tech which allows you to research nanotech before you have basic biology and can see oil. HOW DID WE GET HERE FROM EARTH WITHOUT OIL? Then there is the unit usage when traveling miasma is deadly early game and there is no way to remove it watch as multiple explorers die if you put them on auto explore. Seriously never auto anything in this game it will replace good improvements destroy roads as soon as you begin losing electricity etc. In combat same problem as always no stacking units, but this is a bigger problem in this game since three units of the six are meaningless in close range combat.
    Finally replaying this game is not fun, it feels the same because it is the same, not only does this feel like a worse civ 2 with improved graphics, but there are the same ais every game and they are the same stratagies too. Each planet feels the same as well since the technology works out to functionally make oceans meaningless and the resources are completely unnecessary all game long, they provide bonus things but you can win without ever improving a resource. I imagine there will be a mjor dlc to fix all of this that will cost us an arm and a leg but id rather get a refund now, would not recommend.    … Expand
  17. NeroNafalus
    Oct 31, 2014
    0
    This game would probably get a better review from me, if ya know A. it'd worked from launch, or B. firaxis/2k had released a statement mentioning that they'd messed up pretty bad the day after they released it, steada waiting a week to do it.
  18. Canisrah
    Jan 17, 2015
    2
    This game is little more than a mod for Civ 5 - and not a very good mod at that. I don't know how they managed it, but Beyond Earth takes an interesting premise and the engine from Civ V and takes away all traces of personality, atmosphere and...fun. It's a soulless game which seems to be more about learning the game systems to win without ever engaging the player in the sorts of emergentThis game is little more than a mod for Civ 5 - and not a very good mod at that. I don't know how they managed it, but Beyond Earth takes an interesting premise and the engine from Civ V and takes away all traces of personality, atmosphere and...fun. It's a soulless game which seems to be more about learning the game systems to win without ever engaging the player in the sorts of emergent game play and stories for which Civ V and it's predecessors are famous. That addictive 'one-more-turn' mentality that Civ V promotes is simply absent in Beyond Earth and it's more of a chore to keep playing than a pleasure.

    Disappointing.    … Expand
  19. Mike_M
    Dec 3, 2014
    2
    Too many game design flaws mar what could be a great single-player strategy game:
    Dumb AI opponents. Alliances are basically meaningless.
    Dumb AI workers.
    Different planets with the same aliens over and over.
    Even on the lowest difficultly levels, the game handicaps success.
    The franchise has taken a wrong turn since the first expansion for Civ5
  20. MrM2014
    Nov 10, 2014
    4
    The core game itself is adequate. It is not anywhere near as complete as Civ V, but is enjoyable enough. The new tech tree does feel genuinely innovative and the alien world very much comes to life. The affinity system also feels fresh and new.

    However, other than this it's really CIv V with a different coat of paint and some things are worse. Trade Routes are a complete nightmare to    The core game itself is adequate. It is not anywhere near as complete as Civ V, but is enjoyable enough. The new tech tree does feel genuinely innovative and the alien world very much comes to life. The affinity system also feels fresh and new.

    However, other than this it's really CIv V with a different coat of paint and some things are worse. Trade Routes are a complete nightmare to micro-manage, and the diplomacy feels very limited.

    Now with all that alone, I would consider giving this a 7. It gets a 4 because this game was released unfinished with insufficient QA. There is a widespread problem preventing users playing full screen when their monitor reports more than 48 resolution/refresh rate combinations available. This is a very simple bug which can be resolved with a Registry Edit, yet after two weeks Firaxis have failed to produce a patch or even any ETC. Secondly, another widely reported bug is a failure to start - I suffer this with AMD Mantle mode despite the supported hardware configuration. As a result I have had to game in a window so far in the standard DX11 mode.

    There's some promise here, but don't buy until the game is on discount and a patch is released. Following this I will not be purchasing any Firaxis game on release again.    … Expand
  21. Keengerm
    Oct 26, 2014
    0
    An unplayable alpha. So many bugs and broken systems that it aborts directly after launch. My personal favorite is the broken "end turn" button. Why did Firaxis do this, and why is Sid's name on it?
  22. Streba
    Oct 26, 2014
    0
    Total waste of money and time. I guess i won't touch this game again after the first play-through. You have to do a lot of meaningless manual work that starts to annoy you after approx. 50 turns. Why do i have to reassign every trade route every 10 turns? Why is there no automation? Why do i get a proposal for open borders every turn from turn 200 on, after i already approved it 10 times?Total waste of money and time. I guess i won't touch this game again after the first play-through. You have to do a lot of meaningless manual work that starts to annoy you after approx. 50 turns. Why do i have to reassign every trade route every 10 turns? Why is there no automation? Why do i get a proposal for open borders every turn from turn 200 on, after i already approved it 10 times? The alien swarm ai and leader ai is totally stupid. Why do my workers remove miasma, when i am on the highest harmony level an get bony from it? Sorry...this game is at this state fundamentally broken :(… Expand
  23. 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 against it.
  24. Canonvillage
    Nov 2, 2014
    0
    Das Spiel an sich ist ein purer Abklatsch von Civ 5. Man hat an jeder Ecke das Gefühl, dass man vom Entwickler über den Tisch gezogen wird, die alte Grafikengine des Vorgängers wurde 1:1 mitsamt all ihren Bugs übernommen. Offenbar wurde auch an vielen anderen Stellen einfach Quellcode kopiert: Es sind viele Bugs aus Civ V Vanilla enthalten, die bereits mit GK gefixt waren. Peinlich.
  25. croc
    Nov 9, 2014
    0
    can't score higher than 0 because game is broken, 2k is happy to take our money (yet again), charge it as it was full new game (it is nothing more but civ5 mod, bad one on top of that) and once they got our money they think it is ok to treat us like dirt, major bug preventing people to run at full screen unless you run low resolution gone unfixed for 2 weeks now, any other even sloppycan't score higher than 0 because game is broken, 2k is happy to take our money (yet again), charge it as it was full new game (it is nothing more but civ5 mod, bad one on top of that) and once they got our money they think it is ok to treat us like dirt, major bug preventing people to run at full screen unless you run low resolution gone unfixed for 2 weeks now, any other even sloppy company would have it patched asap but they think its ok to take money for faulty product and act as nothing is wrong.… Expand
  26. Lord_Rapo
    Dec 14, 2014
    3
    I have started with Civilization 1. In my opinion, the game got with every release better.
    Sid Meier achieved the peak with Civ4 - Conquest.
    All Civ's after where not anymore the game liked so. Civilization:
    Beyond Earth is definitely the last Civ i bought.
    The game develops in a direction that I do not like anymore.
  27. Derringer
    Jun 28, 2015
    0
    So from now on, after playing this one and Civilization V, I will consider Sid Meier's and their new games as . very good example of money leeches (like a lot of other videogaming companies). They give up any attempt to make a good deep game.They're recycling any good idea they had in the past and they are doing it wrong they are killing the very essence of Sid Meiers. only after the moneySo from now on, after playing this one and Civilization V, I will consider Sid Meier's and their new games as . very good example of money leeches (like a lot of other videogaming companies). They give up any attempt to make a good deep game.They're recycling any good idea they had in the past and they are doing it wrong they are killing the very essence of Sid Meiers. only after the money now. Huge dissapointment.

    Instead you should save your bucks and play again Alpha Centaury or Civilization II.    … Expand
  28. LegLock
    Oct 28, 2014
    0
    A hatefully unfair and poorly balanced game, filled with bugs.

    I have never before played a 4x game that was so nonsensically stingy with its upgrades. On standard settings the absolute most basic technologies (board a ship, start a trade route) will take decades to research. The building upgrades are almost worthless (10 years to build, +2 production) and incredibly limited in options.    A hatefully unfair and poorly balanced game, filled with bugs.

    I have never before played a 4x game that was so nonsensically stingy with its upgrades. On standard settings the absolute most basic technologies (board a ship, start a trade route) will take decades to research. The building upgrades are almost worthless (10 years to build, +2 production) and incredibly limited in options. The AI opponents on the non-cheat settings hardly bother to expand in the first century, 3 colonies at most. The diplomacy continues to be a joke ("hi china, shall we start a cooperation agreement?" "no" no explanation given. One turn later china asks "hey should we start a cooperation agreement?")

    And then there's siege worms. Ah the joys of siege worms. Your city is your only unit in the first century that can do any reasonable damage (all other units will do exactly 1% damage to it) so you will be firing continuously at every one of them for at least 7 years. And hey better hope they don't touch miasma or they will be massively healed. I wouldn't worry though, most of the time they just hand around in bombardment range not doing anything. They occasionally will wander over and annihilate your improvements (2 years to repair) so are more frustrating that dangerous.

    Killing one will immediately spawn another though (I had to fight 3 in the first 65 years), so faced with completely lackluster A.I. opponent civs but almost continuous alien siege you'll wonder if this game was ever playtested.

    Finally: hills. For a game supposedly set in a sci-fi future alien planet, small hills continue to be a massive strategic obstacle. Your ranged units apparently walk astonishingly slowly but have ultra long range weapons, unless a hill is involved. Whatever distance 1 hex represents it will take you 2 years to cross a hilly area, but your ranged units can fire with perfect accuracy that same distance (unless a deadly hill is in the way). This is the same stale gameplay rules as using spearmen and archers in Civ V.

    That's all this game is: all the same tired, unbalanced formula of a series that has gone downhill since Civ III with a fresh coat of sci-fi but none of the endemic flaws and absurdities addressed.    … Expand
  29. Gameforfun
    Oct 24, 2014
    3
    Nothing has been changed that much. beside the idea of space was a horrible decision !.................................................................
  30. ravinhood
    Dec 9, 2014
    0
    I give this game a 1/10. I do this after reading all the reviews, and I AGREE with them and will say why.

    Why I agree: People wanted an entirely different game? Like Alpha Centuari was to Civilization? Everyone I know LIKED Alpha Centuari. It differentiated itself from Civ A LOT, and over-all was GREAT. Then when they make a this POS Civlike game and keep many of the mechanics that    I give this game a 1/10. I do this after reading all the reviews, and I AGREE with them and will say why.

    Why I agree: People wanted an entirely different game? Like Alpha Centuari was to Civilization? Everyone I know LIKED Alpha Centuari. It differentiated itself from Civ A LOT, and over-all was GREAT.

    Then when they make a this POS Civlike game and keep many of the mechanics that worked LIKE CHIT well people complained... and a very darn good reason to complain too..

    Review:

    Graphics: I HATE them. I HATE them I tell yah. They are an NOT an improvement over Civ V, and DO NOT work well. Now on some planets It can be a bit tough to differentiate Tundra and plains at a glance, but it's an alien world and the terrain, flora and fauna are different than that of earth. It just makes DOO DOO NON sense.

    Sound: Again, I HATE the sound. It's NOT an improvement over Civ V. Less traditional music but that's the case, it's the future and you left tradition behind.

    Game Mechanics: (the big part)

    1) Cities. HATE THEM. Build buildings, then get a choice of customization on their function/abilities through a choice. ASSanine! I can play differently (who cares), plan out what I want to (who cares). The Unit customization based on what you do and how you do it is AWFUL. I can make an army designed to kill other units or attack cities, heal quickly etc BFD. lol

    I HATE the new espionage functions. It's NOT an improvement over Civ V's. The Level gain is also WORSE, and if you're in the lead there is NOTHING your Spies can do. Technology isn't linear anymore, it's a web. (WhooptifarkinDOO)

    The Tech Web: HATE it. Linear tech IS realistic future, decisions, Values, Philosophy, Play-style all should and can play a part in how you advance. Once I got FIGURED it out, I say it's the WORST part of the game.

    Diplomacy: Meh. It's the same as Civ V (you got that right) :) except you can trade with people who have nothing to give to you with "favours" I can trade Titanium I'm not using and don't plan on using for a while to Civ's that may or may not need it for Favours. I can effectively bank them for later. I don't really like this. In Civ games I NEVER ignore diplomacy, not because It's a bad feature, but because I care about my opponents. I play to HELP them not work with them. For my play-styles I just wish some of the phrases the AI used in the screen were more varied and different than Civ V when I refuse 100% of the time to aid them in war, and I always refuse all requests to stop settling near them etc.

    I'm sure there are people who play civ, and by the comments I can see it, that HATE diplomacy... I find that it's the same as liking the garnish in a 6 course meal. I play to interact diplomatically with AI's. I give them and their wants/needs I'm so nice. :)

    War, movement, is all the same as CIv V but with the added unit complexity. And I HATE this. Resources are a little hard to figure out at first (cause he's a dumbchit lol). I know what Wheat does, but what about Chitin? Or Fibre? all it takes is a few 100 games to get this as 2nd nature. A

    Alien Life: They could have done a LOT better job of taking advantage of this, and it's why this game gets a 1 and not a 0. You can kill the roaming aliens but still 'preserve' Life on the planet and that makes sense. Some life is hostile, you deal with it, and the rest isn't. As tech advances I'd have liked to see alien life not interrupt your use of a tile for resources, or even try to attack you, and they get small (graphic wise) and become part of the background animations. Or you can keep killing them.

    I HATE the ideology of Purity, supremacy and harmony. I also HATE how virtues replace several key racial bonuses or wonder bonuses of Civ V that were mandatory and you needed to RUSH (I like to RUSH) to have a given play-style.

    Wonders: they are there, just a tad hidden, and when you look for them on the tech tree you're uncertain if it is or not until you figure it out and just remember it. They also could have done a LOT more art-work on the wonders graphics... they are all whiteboxed...

    Overall this is a CRAP POS game. Some EXTREME fixes they should put in and then this game is a 5/10 lol    … Expand
  31. rodericrinehart
    Feb 7, 2015
    4
    Civilization has to be one of my 10 favorite franchises over the past 30 years and has brought me possibly thousands of hours of entertainment and great memories.

    This game honestly was disappointing and does not live up to the Civ name. It was tedious, lacked the depth of Civ V, and is really a watered-down, poorly done skin on Civ V. I wish I had never bought it.
  32. xspidermanx322
    May 13, 2016
    4
    I'm a huge fan of the Civ series and I was very excited for this version of Civilization. However, since Civ VI is coming out and they've only released one expansion trying to fix this game I can't give it more than a 6. It's just not that great. It's pretty, but everything that makes a Civ game great seems incredibly lacking in this version. Diplomacy is a big deal for me and theI'm a huge fan of the Civ series and I was very excited for this version of Civilization. However, since Civ VI is coming out and they've only released one expansion trying to fix this game I can't give it more than a 6. It's just not that great. It's pretty, but everything that makes a Civ game great seems incredibly lacking in this version. Diplomacy is a big deal for me and the diplomacy in this game is AWFUL. It's laughably bad. I suggest buying this if it's ever on a damn good sale. Until then, you might as well stay away.… Expand
  33. dshuflin
    Dec 11, 2014
    3
    Pros: Beautiful graphics. Excellent game concept. Fun early game play.
    Cons: Ergonomic nightmare warning. User interface is poorly thought out causing lots of pain. All the upper screen information is very small leading to problems for most people over 35-40. All small writing should be at the bottom of the screen.
    Inconsistent menu commands. All menus should work the same. You should    Pros: Beautiful graphics. Excellent game concept. Fun early game play.
    Cons: Ergonomic nightmare warning. User interface is poorly thought out causing lots of pain. All the upper screen information is very small leading to problems for most people over 35-40. All small writing should be at the bottom of the screen.
    Inconsistent menu commands. All menus should work the same. You should not have to reach from the bottom of the screen to the top and then back to the bottom to click something in a menu screen.

    I have played Alpha Centuri for 15 years because of the infinite game play. It has true customization features. Beyond earth is pretty low on the control side of things. Basically only a few strategies to play.

    My biggest complaint is that after completing the required steps to reach a victory you are left guessing who will get there first. Turn after turn you are clueless. Then you get a screen that says. You lost. No explanation, No out come, you don't even know who won. A beautiful intro video took lots of time to watch. The endgame leaves you wondering what happened and who won.    … Expand
  34. pettina
    Jan 18, 2015
    1
    This game was a huge disappointment. It's trying to be something what they couldn't do. Game is just too complicated even oldschool civ fan. Tech trees is too complicated. Units get killed one shot by aliens in field. I can recommended this game only for star-craft people. And only if you like turn-based combat !
  35. JonnyEsco
    Oct 25, 2014
    3
    Yea, this game is pretty bad... I loved civ 5 but this I can't follow this one... The tech trees are damn near impossible to follow! I played the game for an hour and my Major city got converted and I couldn't figure out how. It happend without any warning what-so-ever. Learning the game takes a lot of time, and I mean a lot of time. Its like chess times 1000... WTF! Building a strategyYea, this game is pretty bad... I loved civ 5 but this I can't follow this one... The tech trees are damn near impossible to follow! I played the game for an hour and my Major city got converted and I couldn't figure out how. It happend without any warning what-so-ever. Learning the game takes a lot of time, and I mean a lot of time. Its like chess times 1000... WTF! Building a strategy vs 1000 other strategies that can destroy you is absolutely pointless. It's challenging but doesn't match it in the fun factor.… Expand
  36. Zeriel
    Jan 6, 2015
    0
    Wow is this game a huge disappointment! basically the same exact thing as Civ V but remove ALL OF THE CIVILIZATIONS and replace them by some customizations that will always play the same! The game is repetitive and boring! It may not deserve a Zero, maybe a 4 but I'm giving it a 0 to combat all of the dishonest critics giving it 10s just because is a Civ game

    I want another Warlock game!
  37. GaelicWarrior
    Oct 31, 2014
    0
    Another poorly thought out modern Civ game from Firaxis. Civilization keeps declining. Since the awful 'Brave New World' DLC for Civ V, the 'strategy' part of Civ games have become so much less important and the game is extremely 'luck' focused. Beating the AI on the hardest setting in 95 turns on my first play through is just not right. Then to multiplayer. Firaxis have again refused toAnother poorly thought out modern Civ game from Firaxis. Civilization keeps declining. Since the awful 'Brave New World' DLC for Civ V, the 'strategy' part of Civ games have become so much less important and the game is extremely 'luck' focused. Beating the AI on the hardest setting in 95 turns on my first play through is just not right. Then to multiplayer. Firaxis have again refused to revamp Civ's defunct and derelict multiplayer engine. Please give us the global chatroom lobby back from Civ 4! The game simply does not function online with more than 4 players in its current state and even then it'll most likely crash. Civilization needs to be developed by someone who understands the game from a multiplayer perspective. This is how civilization will grow its fan base and please its original fans like me. A single player focused strategy game for PC is far too niche in the 21st century. Design this game to be balanced and competitive online and the single player experience will be enhanced and more rewarding. Firaxis needs to move forward and not keep such an eye on what worked 15 years ago.… Expand
  38. SuperMe
    Nov 2, 2014
    2
    I haven't played a Civilisation game since Civ3 and it looks like I haven't missed anything. The graphics are an improvement but same dull core remains. The game is a tedious chore to play and I've uninstalled after just 5 hours.
  39. BRhuehue
    Oct 24, 2014
    0
    Não gosto do jogo, Não gosto do jogo, Não gosto do jogo, Não gosto do jogo, Não gosto do jogo, Não gosto do jogo, Não gosto do jogo, Não gosto do jogo e Não gosto do jogo
  40. CarlosEmirSF
    Jun 22, 2015
    2
    Simple.. i just come here to negativate this game and i going back to play sid meiers brave new world..
    "here your least 150 chars......................"
  41. omalley
    Jul 24, 2015
    1
    I am new to the Civ series. This was the first civ game I bought. I wasn't too impressed so I bought civ V. I was blown away by how better it was. Stick with Civ V. Way better.
  42. gracjanski
    Nov 2, 2020
    4
    The idea of the game makes you surely curious to play it: the best strategy gameplay combines with an interesting sci-fi setting, where you try to survive against the aliens (hmm...in truth we are the aliens ;) ) and compete with other colonists. Great cinematics improves this feeling to get into a new world, the music is also great.

    But...it is true, the game is not done, even in 2020.    The idea of the game makes you surely curious to play it: the best strategy gameplay combines with an interesting sci-fi setting, where you try to survive against the aliens (hmm...in truth we are the aliens ;) ) and compete with other colonists. Great cinematics improves this feeling to get into a new world, the music is also great.

    But...it is true, the game is not done, even in 2020.
    Something is missing, somehow it is boring to have more or less the same units, buildings and the same era.
    The quests are a good idea and well written, but they are only text, at least there should be some pictures. In addition the messages are so political correct, as the whole game.
    The tech tree is very important in the Civ series and was understandable, here it is confusing with a lot of branches and mixed with an affinity system.
    And yes, the AI is so bad sometimes, they declare war on you, although they are much weaker and you had very good relationship before. In another game they went on war and the AI was much stronger, but their army was far way. In a third game I was dominant and had 2 allies, a lonely and weak AI declared war anyway, lol. So stupid, it ruins the game a lot and it is impossible to change the AI via modification. Overall there are not many good mods out there, I recommend Codex overhaul and Infoaddict.
    And, this is not the end of the bad things in this game. We have end of 2020 and this game is 6 years old. On steam this game costs 60€ with the very needed DLC Rising Tide. 60€ !!. This is unacceptable, so I didnt buy it, but played it anyway. It should cost about 10-15€ today by the way. An alternative is to play it retail, where the prizes are lower, but still too high. Or you play the "lost copy from the truck".    … Expand
  43. Wrathzo
    Mar 25, 2022
    4
    Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth is a turn-based strategy, 4X video game in the Civilization series developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K Games. The game's setting is unique to the Civilization series in that it takes place in the future, with mankind traveling through space and founding colonies on extraterrestrial planets after Earth becomes uninhabitable due to anSid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth is a turn-based strategy, 4X video game in the Civilization series developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K Games. The game's setting is unique to the Civilization series in that it takes place in the future, with mankind traveling through space and founding colonies on extraterrestrial planets after Earth becomes uninhabitable due to an undescribed disaster known as "the Great Mistake". Beyond Earth is a turn-based strategy game played on a hexagonal-based grid, iterating the ideas and building upon the engine of its predecessor, Civilization V.[8] Co-lead designer David McDonough described the relationship between the two games by saying "The bones of the experience are very much recognisably Civ. The idea of the cities, city-base progression, leaders, the passage of time, tile-based, turn-based, building improvements, technologies. A lot of them are very familiar themes to the Civ player.… Expand
  44. Worstgamever
    Jul 30, 2022
    0
    Worst game I have ever played my entire life I would rather consume a bucket of paint
  45. justandi
    Jul 14, 2023
    0
    Feels like a cheaper copy of Civilization 5, diplomacy is even worse than Civilization 5
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Awards & Rankings

57
#57 Best PC Game of 2014
21
#21 Most Discussed PC Game of 2014
4
#4 Most Shared PC Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 78 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 78
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 78
  3. Negative: 1 out of 78
  1. CD-Action
    Jan 9, 2015
    90
    Cancel all your plans and fill up the fridge, because once you launch Beyond Earth you will not want to leave your home. [13/2014, p.46]
  2. Worth Playing
    Dec 23, 2014
    85
    Passive AI and lackluster online support from the community isn't enough to make Civilization: Beyond Earth a total wash. If you've enjoyed the series over the years, you'll likely spend many hours with this entry as well.
    Read full review
  3. Games Master UK
    Dec 21, 2014
    80
    Prepare for tech tree troubles, but the amount to discover and overall quality wins out. [Christmas 2014, p.64]
See all critic reviews »