I had tons of fun playing this game multiplayer taking out other civilzations. Although it didn't always work when we set the difficulty to Monarch or higher...
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Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10. -
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Common Sense says
Strategy game for tweens & up spans world history.
updated 07.04.08
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 10 and Up
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Violence :
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Civilization 4
Parents need to know that this game doesn't contain much objectionable content, but it is a challenging game that may be more enjoyable for tweens and teens. The game encourages strategy and teaches some history, politics, and civics. Parents should note that the game is very time-consuming -- be sure to set time limits before playing. Also, the game can be played online, which could slightly alter the content of the game --Common Sense Media does not recommend online play for kids under 12.
Read our full review by Jeremy Gieske
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the use of video games like this one in the classroom. Are they effective teaching tools, even if they are not specifically designed to be educational? How can teachers enrich the experience for their students?
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Our Members Say
See all 7 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
Lives inI rate this title on for age 10 and give itGreat game can't wait for the next installment!
- Lives in CaliforniaI rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Great game that has endless possibilities.
I have played the Civilization series since I was in 5th grade, and it never gets old. When my parents gave me a limited time for playing on the computer, they made one exception, and that was that I could play Civ without being counted. This game is very educational, as it has made me more interested in world history and leaders. In this game, you can even play scenarios like the American Revolution, where everything from the units to the positions of the cities and the geography are correct. The game includes a civilopedia, which gives history about every unit, leader, civilization, civic, and everything else used in the game. This game also plays music from the exact time period you are on with ancient music to Brahms and Dvorak all the way to modern times. The music has even made an impact on me, as I now listen to classical rather than today's sometimes mindless rap. Recommend it to any history or military fanatic, or anyone with the exceptional patience to play a turn-based game.
- Lives in New YorkI rate this title on for age 2 and give it
A game that can create idea of history
This is a very good game that even teachers of middle school or high school should use to make the interacting of history more fun. It has its destroying, but I believe this deserves a good rating.
- Lives in WisconsinI rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
OK follow-up to a great game
This game would have been even better then its 5-star predecsessor if it hadn't eliminated many good rules.
- Lives in OhioI rate this title on for age 2 and give it
It's Nimoy!
While I do play the game alot, and that alone is educaitonal, I read the included Civilopedia more. Both are very good, I mean, one has Nimoy reading the lyrics to rock music.
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