Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization

 PC
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Worth Playing
    72
    If you remember the original fondly, then you have nothing to fear; it hasn't been broken. If you're not a hardcore strategy gamer or if you were weaned on them in this century, you may find the archaic mechanics and limited scope a little on the disappointing side.
  2. Gameplayer
    70
    So while it’s a nice nostalgia trip and makes for an interesting twist on the Meier formula, it’s people who have either never played Civlization IV before (we’ve been told they do exist) or those who have played it to death and want a bit of a change who will get the most out of this title.
  3. Total PC Gaming
    70
    Our American cousins will really enjoy this and, begrudgingly, so will we. [Issue#12, p.60]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Play.tm
    50
    This game may be cheap but it often feels even cheaper. It's not just the simplistic mechanics at work but the rough edges which begin to cut once the initial lubrications of happiness at replaying a classic title have worn away. From icons that shift slots on the UI to redundant information screens being favored over the existence of useful ones, Colonization 2008 feels more like an intern project than a game that should be sold to the public.

Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Best PC Game of 2008
45
#45 Most Discussed PC Game of 2008
48
#48 Most Shared PC Game of 2008

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 135 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 69 out of 135
  2. Mixed: 45 out of 135
  3. Negative: 21 out of 135
  1. albucc
    Dec 10, 2014
    8
    This game was a disappointment at release. But a mod make it totally fresh, right now!

    Most games have a very finite lifecycle: you play a    This game was a disappointment at release. But a mod make it totally fresh, right now!

    Most games have a very finite lifecycle: you play a story from start to end, explore their features and leave them.
    This is not necessary true to PC games. I think this is one such case. The original Colonization IV game had lot of flaws that disappointed greatly the fans of the original Colonization game, and made it kind of shallow... A game to be played once and then leave it.

    But then, the people at Firaxis released the game mechanics source code, and some great guys at Germany / Switzerland developed the "The Authentic Colonization" mod (TAC 2.0.3)..
    And this changed greatly the game experience, bringing it closer to the original Colonization... New victory conditions, Portugal as a player, overall game balancing, random events and decisions, quests...
    This made this game fresh, with lots of new opportunities to explore.

    At release, I would give this game a 5. Now I give it an 8.    … Full Review »
  2. webgovernor
    Jun 27, 2016
    1
    It's like they took the original, and attempted to make it worse in every single way. The rebel sentiment is broken, the King's army isIt's like they took the original, and attempted to make it worse in every single way. The rebel sentiment is broken, the King's army is broken. Building times are broken. It's like the devs didn't even play the original, though they both share the Sid Meier's namesake.… Full Review »
  3. pierrem
    Sep 25, 2014
    7
    Do you like micromanagement? You'll love it. Otherwise, run away! Some features of this game could be adapted to the other Civ, with success IDo you like micromanagement? You'll love it. Otherwise, run away! Some features of this game could be adapted to the other Civ, with success I think. This very game looks unfinished to me.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »