The Civilization V is a strategy game where players attempt to conquer the world by means of force, politics or cultural influences. It shows to have a familiar feel for long-time fans, but notable changes to make the well-known series fresh and exciting.
So what’s fresh and exciting? Instead of the familiar square grid, the maps and movement are done along a hex grid, offering greater flexibility of movement and a more realistic-looking map. Combat units are very familiar, with minor changes to units from the various cultures represented. During battles, only one combat unit is allowed per hex, meaning no more stacking of forces to overrun an opponent.
This definitely changes the strategy on how conflicts are carried out and won. Ranged units, like archers and catapults, can fire from a distance, so combat becomes a process of softening up the enemy with arrows before sending in the ground troops for the killing blow.
However, battles are also more extended. Units have hit points, measuring how much life they have left, and not all hit points are without delay eliminated in one battle. This allows wounded units to withdraw and fight another day. Resources are in abundance and you’ll need all you can find. Items like iron and horses will help arm your military while gems, marble and incense please your population and inspire them to work more efficiently.
City expansion in the game is more measured now and takes more time to do properly than in previous versions. Also, expansion takes place more realistically as resource hexes are used up quicker than empty grassland hexes while building a city. Gold, in particular, is vitally important to just about every aspect of the game. You can purchase land to expand your empire, buy military units for a sudden offensive rush, or obtain new buildings without spending the time to build them. New, more powerful bonuses are also available for those who strive to win with a cultural, not military, victory.
Note: “Civilization V” is due out in North America on September 21 for PCs only.
Tags: archers, arrows, civilization 5, civilization v, combat unit, combat units, Ground Troops, hex grid, hexes, military victory, pc game