The massive Civilization IV universe is about to become more epic with this 2nd expansion pack to the 2005 Game of the Year. The biggest Civ expansion set ever, Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword focuses on the “late game” time periods after the invention of gunpowder and will deliver 12 unique and challenging scenarios created by the development team at Firaxis as well as some esteemed members of the Civ Community.
Civilization IV: Beyond The Sword will deliver new themes never seen in Civilization, many recommended by the fans. The expansion will focus on the late-game time periods after the invention of gunpowder and will deliver 12 challenging and decidedly different scenarios, ten new civilizations, 16 new leaders, five new wonders, and a variety of new units. Five new wonders - The Statue of Zeus, Cristo Redentor, Shwedagon Paya, the Mausoleum of Maussollos, and the Moai Statues Earn a diplomatic victory and unlock the United Nations - then create new resolutions to expand your diplomatic options Advanced Starts let players buy an empire's components&begin play in a later part of the game -- experience new features of the expansion in a shorter time Enhanced AI is tougher to beat on the higher levels, and expanded its strategies for achieving victory
It took two years, two expansions, and enough patches to stitch up Humpty Dumpty, but Civilization IV is finally worthy of being called the best strategy game on the market. The latest expansion, Beyond the Sword, improves Civ IV so much that you'll wonder how the (in)famous time sink ever sank a moment without it.
Deconstructing Civ
Beyond the Sword goes way, er, beyond mere tweaks, implementing fundamental gameplay changes and additions. First among these: the new Galactic Civilizations-style "events" -- random occurrences that can spell calamity or opportunity for the recipient. Cleverly, these are tied to your civilization's choices throughout the game. For example, only players using the Slavery civic are vulnerable to Kirk-Douglas-and-friends slave revolts, while only players with clam hatcheries can discover rare black pearls. Occasionally, players even receive worldwide "quests" that they can accomplish for a massive bonus -- while their rivals try to do the same.
Apart from the new event system, though, BTS showcases more quality features than a Woody Allen-only multiplex. The new Apostolic Palace wonder increases the role of religion in the early game, while multinational corporations largely replace religion later on. These corporations provide massive, game-changing bonuses to their home countries. Cereal Mills, for example, boosts population growth, while Standard Ethanol supplies fossil fuels even if you have no oil&and gives a research bonus. Corporations finally give players a reason not to switch to the State Property civic (which renders them useless) late in the game.
And even when the changes are minor, they're welcome. Improved connectivity and simultaneous turns greatly speed up multiplayer. And on that subject, you and your buddies should load up one of BTS's many innovative mods, which include a realistic depiction of World War II, a squad-based humans-versus-zombies conversion, and even a Civ IV take on Defender, in which you build cities, stock them with units, and try to hold out against waves of baddies.
Celebrity
Of course, no Civ expansion would be complete without a bevy of new races and leaders. You can now lead -- among others -- the Babylonians as Hammurabi, and the Portuguese as John II. DeGaulle, Churchill, and Stalin take time off from their regular gig at the History Channel to make an appearance, although -- as far as the Civ development staff is concerned -- Hitler remains in 10-foot-pole land. Moreover, the entire leader dynamic is changed: Players can now pair any leader (and his unique talents) with any civilization (and its unique units and buildings). So, if you've always dreamed of Napoleon leading an army of redcoats, now's your chance to show Bizarro French Wellington who's boss.
Apart from a few quibbles (large maps still load at a glacial pace and the A.I. still builds cities right on top of yours), BTS takes a strong game with some serious flaws and turns it into a fantastic game with a couple of minor flaws. No small feat, that.
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