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.
Positive messages:Players make many choices for their civilization. For example they can choose to enact slavery or not, or institute a state-religion or not.
Violence:Players can see armies in battle but only from a distance.
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.
Civilization IV, in my opinion, is the greatest strategy game ever created.
Unfortunately, due to its slow-paced nature and steep learning curve, it's generally only played by adults and especially patient children or teenagers. If your kids can get into this game though, that's fantastic. They are of a dying breed.
This title is a game that spans from the dawn of civilization in 4000 BC, to the supposed reach of Alpha Centauri in 2100 AD. It is the fourth title of an epic series that will blow your socks off. You can do war, build culture, race to space, or get voted to victory. Your child only needs to be able to read to understand stuff, but if you want to win, you're probably going to need to be a little older.
This game is about as well made as you will ever find in the strategy genre. It isn't too difficult to pick up and play, but if you want to get good at it it takes a lot of time and thought. Not really much to worry about for kids. On a positive note it might just get them interested in history...or maybe that's expecting too much. Either way it's a great game that will eat up loads of your time. You've been warned. :)
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.
Sid Meier always has a knack for these kinds of games. Civilization IV (Civ 4) is an excellent game to play and can be extraordinarily difficult for one out for a challenge. You pretty much, well, build a civilization from the ground up, choosing from many real Earth civilizations. You manage cities, civics, units, warfare, commerce, research, culture, etc. to try to reach one of the multiple victory conditions. You advance in ages and play through time starting at 4000BCE up to 2050AD. (or beyond if you choose)It has a very high replayability and vibrant graphics.The turn-based system instead of RTS-style gameplay isn't a hindrance at all; it seems to add to the effect. There are many mods available. from the Internet and two expansion packs for the game. A must have for any PC strategy gamer.
The worst content issue is seeing large animated characters fall down when waging war. No blood or serious violence. You can gain incense or wine as resources to gain happiness, but I don't see how that could be a problem.
This game has one flaw-if you put computer player in your game, they are REALLY GOOD, but this can be sidestepped by ussing Hot Seat and playing against yourself, which is more fun than it sounds. So, basically, this game is perfect. It is won or lost on your intellegence and logic for the best option in the circumstances. The Civilpedia is a virtual history book and sometime I'll spend hours just reading that. And this game let's you do something that you have always wanted to do-play God over the world. Also, if the battle odds are below 100%, you will always lose. Always.
Older kids,tweens,teens,and even adults might like it
Great game I have followed the Civilization series for years and they have yet to disappoint me.Not violent even though there are battles.Though it is very hard building a really good civilization. P.S. I my self never was able to get this version but have played it at a friends house a few times.
This is one of the best games I have played. For young people who are very good at playing games this would be great. This game can be semi-educational because it has real cities and sayings and the leaders are all real. The game includes brilliant technology advancements, extra mods, and masterfully made gameplay. This game is a MUST play for anyone who thinks they can play it.
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.
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...
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...
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...