 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution
- Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS
- Price: $30-$50
- Genre: Strategy
Common Sense Media says
PC strategy game gets retooled for console gaming.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this game is a streamlined, console version of Sid Meier's Civilization strategy games, which have, until now, only been available for PCs. Though the game doesn't accurately replicate the rise of real world civilizations, it does use the names of real leaders and cities, and it allows players to build authentic recreations of several stunning feats of human engineering, such as the Pyramids and the Statue of Liberty, making it a vaguely educational experience. Play has been simplified for couch-bound gamers and controls retooled for traditional gamepads, but it is still complex enough that young players will likely find the learning curve fairly steep. Violence is minimal, and there is no sexuality or coarse language.
What's it about?
Sid Meier's Civilization franchise has delivered some of the most popular and beloved PC games of all time, but their overall complexity and seeming dependence on keyboard and mouse controls have kept them from moving from the study to the living room -- until now. SID MEIER'S CIVILIZATION REVOLUTION is a completely revamped version of the PC Civilization experience, designed to take advantage of traditional console gamepads and deliver a simplified, faster-paced brand of turn-based strategy/society simulation that's better suited for couch-bound play.
Much of the magnificence of the Civilization games has resided in their enormous scope and the breadth of options they provide players, which, combined, all but guarantees that no two games ever feel the same. Thankfully, Civilization Revolution retains both of these features. Which leader will you be? Cleopatra? Gandhi? Lincoln? Each comes with his or her own set of advantages that result in military, cultural, and economic bonuses. How do you plan to win the game? Through scientific enlightenment, cultural growth, brute militarism, or greedy capitalism? All are possible, and players make strides toward each every time they decide to invest in the development of new technologies, consruct new cities, build new world wonders, or train new military units. Simply put, the key elements that define the essence of a previous Civilization game are here, and they've been expertly implemented.
Is it any good?
Nonetheless, not everything found in the PC games is present. In bringing Civilization to consoles the game's makers have wisely decided to simplify several of the franchise's more byzantine ingredients. Workers, for example, now do their own thing -- we can't set them to develop specific plots of land or work on particular bits of infrastructure, such as roads. What's more, some of the options available in the creation of new games -- such as the size and form of the world we fight to dominate -- simply don't exist. And PC fans will undoubtedly lament the lack of modded content and expansions -- scenarios created both by the game's original makers and other players -- that are available for other versions of the game. Still, given the platform it was made for, it's hard to ask for more than what we've been given in Civilization Revolution. Turn-based strategy gaming on a console has rarely been so good.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the various leaders featured in the game and discuss the roles they played in our history. Do the strengths and weaknesses bestowed them in the game accurately reflect their real-world attributes? Do you think any have been given unfairly advantageous abilities? You can also discuss technology. Does the game's technological progression make sense? Time passes more swiftly at the beginning of a game than at the end to reflect how much more quickly technological innovations have occurred in recent centuries and decades. How has this affected our civilization in terms of population and the environment? Are these factors accounted for in the game?
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Kid, 12 years old
November 9, 2008
AGE
I had fun!
Its a strategy game, and it teaches children about history.
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AGE
Best Civ. Game for DS
No question here, this is an amazing Sim game. The computer versions are better, of course, but for the portable DS, this is the one to buy! It is challenging enough to keep adults entertained, and the easiest mode is accessible to older kids.
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AGE
different for pc but still really good
very good its educational cause there is a thing call civ pedia like thing but the egyptian leader is pretty iffy if u talk to her so its fine for ages 9 and up
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AGE
awesome game but not as good as computer one
This is a great game. There are weekly levels and multiple maps to play on. I recommend this game for anyone who wants to play strategy games but they not quite ready to jump right into the computer versions. All around a good choice.
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AGE
Awsome!!!!
Great game but it's mostly either living in peace or killing people to rule the world
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AGE
Much more easy then the computer version but still ok for younger or newer players
This game is pretty good but the lack of choosing your gameplay and the new child-like twist on the game makes it appear more for younger children. If you have a computer and are not a young child, GET IT ON THE COMPUTER!!! I had large hopes for a new civilization but this was a let-down. I havent played it since the first time and I dont plan on playing it unless I'm very bored.
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AGE
Great for tweens and pre-tweens!!!
Great Game. You learn about the different countrys and their best leaders. Plus great people can join your civilizations to make them better. The battles show no blood and the violence is mild.
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AGE
great game, highly educational, let your kid get it.
violence isnt that bad, its no worse then a fight scene in a pg-13 move, 3 of the female leaders wear low tops, but i would say one of the biggest pluses of this game is that it his highly educational, infact, in geography tests, i have actually went back to this game, and thought, now whats the capital of egypt or what not, i also remember lots of the best leaders of the nations, they also have info about the leader you are playing as you can read about, plus, its lots of fun, let your kid get it, it will help them in school, while entertaining them. this game is no fun if you cannot read, so if your kid cant read, dont bother.
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AGE
A great civ game for consoles
Civilization Revolution is an excellent civilization game for consoles for two reasons. One; a simpler game with fewer technologies and units allows for a much faster game than previous versions without all of the meticulous fine-tuning. Two; many of the displays and mini-maps are gone so more of the screen is taken up by actual gameplay. You also feel more into the game because other characters point to things on screen and react noticably to your desicions. Content wise there is a little bit of violence though it is only seen from a distance. Overall a great civilization game for someone who just wants to sit down and play without hours of micromanegment.
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| Platforms: | Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS |
| Available online? | Available online |
| Genre: | Strategy |
| Developer: | 2K Games |
| Release date: | July 8, 2008 |
| Price: | $30-$50 |
| ESRB rating: | E10+ for Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence |
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