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Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth
Item: Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2014

GenresScience Fiction and Futuristic, Simulation, Turn-Based, Top-Down Perspective, Strategy, Single Player, Multiplayer

AvailableOct 23, 2014

PlatformPC

DeveloperFiraxis Games

Overview

Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth is a new science-fiction-themed entry into the award-winning Civilization series. Set in the future, global events have destabilized the world leading to a collapse of modern society, a new world order and an uncertain future for humanity. As the human race struggles to recover, the re-developed nations focus their resources on deep space travel to chart a new beginning for mankind. As part of an expedition sent to find a home beyond Earth, you will write the next chapter for humanity as you lead your people into a new frontier and create a new civilization in space. Explore and colonize an alien planet, research new technologies, amass mighty armies, build incredible Wonders and shape the face of your new world. As you embark on your journey you must make critical decisions. From your choice of sponsor and the make-up of your colony, to the ultimate path you choose for your civilization, every decision opens up new possibilities.

Elsewhere

6.6

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

EXPAND ALL

Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

71%

Mixed (50-79)

29%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The Story of Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth has garnered mixed reviews from critics. Some reviewers, such as Eurogamer Italy and Eurogamer Spain, appreciate the game's futuristic setting and exploration of new planets, highlighting the engaging narrative possibilities and strategic decisions offered by the different factions and affinities. Additionally, Eurogamer Germany praises the unique atmosphere and philosophical reflections present in the game, adding depth to the storytelling. The game's premise of humanity seeking a new home after Earth's destruction is seen as a fresh narrative direction by critics like Giant Bomb, providing players with a sci-fi twist on the classic Civilization gameplay. On the other hand, several critics express reservations about the execution of the story in Civilization: Beyond Earth. AusGamers and COGconnected critique the narrative elements for feeling underdeveloped and underutilized, with COGconnected noting that the interesting concept of Earth's decline is not fully explored. PCGamesN highlights the lack of a compelling narrative or context, with victory conditions relying on questlines that are deemed uninteresting. Similarly, Cheat Code Central mentions that while the game explores the war-like nature of humanity and offers different affinities to choose from, the story may not be entirely clear, leaving room for interpretation. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards a somewhat lukewarm reception of the Story in Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth. While some reviewers appreciate the game's thematic exploration of humanity's future and the strategic depth offered by the narrative choices, others find the storytelling lacking in depth and execution. IGN Italia and Eurogamer Spain commend the game for its ode to human achievements and engaging narrative possibilities, while PCGamesN and AusGamers point out the shortcomings in the narrative development. Despite differing opinions on the story's strengths and weaknesses, it is evident that Civilization: Beyond Earth's narrative leaves room for improvement and falls short of fully realizing its potential according to a majority of critics.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics have mixed feelings about the story in Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth. Some praise its futuristic setting and engaging narrative possibilities, while others criticize its underdeveloped and uninteresting elements. Despite some appreciation for its thematic exploration, most agree that the narrative falls short of its potential and lacks depth.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

70%

Mixed (50-79)

30%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The majority of critics found the gameplay of Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth to be engaging, complex, and rewarding. AusGamers praised the game for offering a gameplay experience with choices that have significant ramifications for success. Destructoid highlighted the depth and strategic choices added by systems like the Affinity system, Virtues, orbital layer, and technology web. Eurogamer Italy commended the game for evolving Civilization V's gameplay by offering more freedom in technological advancements and strategies, introducing elements like Trade, Espionage, and Missions. The introduction of new victory conditions, meaningful decisions, and distinct playstyles through Affinities were also appreciated by Eurogamer. On the downside, some critics pointed out certain drawbacks in the gameplay of Civilization: Beyond Earth. Cheat Code Central mentioned that while the game is simpler and easier to understand compared to its predecessor, Alpha Centauri, the focus on combat and lack of variety in factions and tech paths were noted as drawbacks. PCGamesN criticized the game for introducing new decisions and factions that felt dull and lacked meaningful impact, with war being hindered by poor AI behavior. Giant Bomb also mentioned that combat lacked depth and choices felt less impactful compared to previous Civilization games. Overall, the consensus among the critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the gameplay of Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth. The game was praised for its engaging and complex gameplay experience, with new mechanics like the Affinity system, Virtues, and technology web adding depth and strategic choices for players. While some critics pointed out certain drawbacks such as combat depth and lack of variety in factions, the majority found the gameplay to be addictive, rewarding, and a worthy evolution of the Civilization series. The game's focus on exploration, research, diplomacy, and distinct playstyles through Affinities resonated well with the critics, making it a highly recommended title for fans of the 4X strategy genre.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics laud Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth for its engaging gameplay, praised for introducing new mechanics like Affinity system and technology web. Some drawbacks noted include lack of faction variety and combat depth. Overall, overwhelmingly positive consensus on the game's complexity, strategic choices, and evolution of the Civilization series. Highly recommended for fans of 4X strategy games.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

44%

Mixed (50-79)

52%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The Graphics and Visual Design of Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth have received a lot of praise from various critics. AusGamers appreciates how the game becomes gorgeous once players become familiar with its mechanics. Critical Hit commends the excellent textures, various biomes, and creative unit design that evolve as the affinity progresses. Destructoid highlights the visually varied planetary biomes, rich colors, and immersive graphics that convey the idea of an alien world. Digital Trends and GameFront both emphasize the stunning visuals, attention to detail in world and unit design, and landscapes tinged in otherworldly hues. On the flip side, some critics have pointed out negatives regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of the game. Gaming Age criticizes the messy UI and bugs in the upgrade tree models, impacting the overall visual experience. Gaming Nexus notes that while the game has good visual design with alien-looking environments and futuristic units, some textures may make it hard to distinguish important features. Giant Bomb mentions that while the aesthetic changes evoke a world of futuristic possibility, the game feels regressive compared to Civilization V's visual design. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards the positive side regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth. The game is praised for its detailed and beautiful graphics, immersive alien world visuals, and creative unit designs by critics like Critical Hit, Destructoid, and Digital Trends. However, there are criticisms regarding UI issues, lack of distinction in textures, and comparisons to previous Civilization games, as mentioned by Gaming Age, Gaming Nexus, and Giant Bomb. Despite some drawbacks, the majority of critics appreciate the game's visual appeal and the effort put into creating a visually engaging sci-fi universe, making it a visually appealing experience for fans of the genre.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics praise Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth for its stunning graphics, immersive alien world visuals, and creative unit designs. However, some point out issues like messy UI and lack of texture distinction. Overall, the game's visual appeal and effort in creating a visually engaging sci-fi universe earn positive feedback, despite some drawbacks.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

55%

Mixed (50-79)

45%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The Sound Design and Music of Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth received a mix of positive feedback from the critics. Destructoid praised the soundtrack for being appropriately grandiose and subdued, enhancing the gameplay experience with sweeping string pieces that evoke a sense of history being made. SpazioGames also highlighted the great music that accompanies the game, enhancing the overall experience. Additionally, GamingTrend appreciated how the music transitions from soft and poetic while exploring to more invigorating during battles, adding depth to the gameplay. On the negative side, AusGamers criticized the voice acting for being inconsistent, which could potentially detract from the immersion of the game. Softpedia mentioned that while the sound design and music are well suited for the theme, the soundtrack lacks variety, which may lead to repetitive listening experiences. These criticisms suggest that there are areas for improvement in terms of maintaining consistency in voice acting and introducing more diversity in the soundtrack to prevent monotony. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards the positive side regarding the Sound Design and Music of Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth. The engaging and immersive music, as noted by Critical Hit and Gamer.nl, adds depth to the gaming experience and complements the game's aesthetics and narrative. The majority of critics appreciated how the music sets the tone for the game, whether it's establishing a sense of grandeur and history or enhancing the atmosphere of space exploration and tension. While there were some criticisms regarding voice acting and soundtrack variety, the general sentiment is that the sound design and music contribute positively to the overall gameplay experience, aligning well with the futuristic and exploratory theme of the game.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics praised the grandiose soundtrack of Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth for enhancing gameplay with sweeping string pieces. However, there were concerns about inconsistent voice acting and lack of variety in the soundtrack. Overall, the majority of critics appreciated how the music added depth and immersion to the game, despite some room for improvement in certain areas.

Voice Acting

Analysis Unavailable

Summary unavailable

TL;DR

voice acting

Description unavailable

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

13%

Mixed (50-79)

88%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of positives for the PC platform, several critics noted stable multiplayer experiences, such as Gamer.nl mentioning a stable multiplayer experience. SpazioGames also highlighted overall stability despite minor graphical and control bugs. Additionally, Gameplanet mentioned that there was no significant slowdown after a certain number of turns, indicating a smooth gameplay experience for the most part on PC. On the negative side for the PC platform, there were consistent mentions of bugs affecting gameplay. Eurogamer, Gaming Age, and Gaming Nexus all pointed out various bugs, from issues with unit exploration to problems in the upgrade tree models. InsideGamer.nl specifically highlighted control issues inherited from Civilization 5, such as unit selection difficulties and worker automation glitches. Toronto Sun also raised concerns about performance issues on lower-end PCs, indicating potential optimization problems. Overall, the consensus among the critics for Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth's technical performance on PC leans towards a mixed reception. While stability in multiplayer and overall gameplay was acknowledged by some, the prevalence of bugs and performance issues, as highlighted by various critics like Gaming Age and Toronto Sun, detracted from the overall experience. Despite not crippling the gameplay, the presence of these technical issues, as mentioned by Gaming Nexus and Eurogamer, indicates room for improvement in terms of optimizing the game for a smoother experience across all PC configurations.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics praised stable multiplayer experiences on PC for Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth, but pointed out numerous bugs affecting gameplay. Despite some positives, technical issues and performance concerns mar the overall experience, leaving room for improvement in optimization.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

55%

Mixed (50-79)

45%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth are generally positive. Many critics highlight the game's diverse gameplay options, including different victory conditions, affinities, and strategic decisions, which contribute to its high replayability. For example, Eurogamer Italy mentions the various victory paths and affinity choices that keep players engaged, while Gameplanet praises the different victory options, quest system, and customization features that make the game highly replayable. Additionally, Gaming Nexus appreciates the new elements and customization options that add to the game's replay value. On the other hand, some critics point out certain drawbacks that may impact the game's replayability. Cheat Code Central mentions that games with the same affinity can feel too similar, and the lack of variety in factions and tech paths may affect replayability. Giant Bomb expresses concerns about the limited replay value due to a lack of meaningful choices and late-game progression issues, which may deter experienced players from multiple playthroughs. Softpedia also notes the limited story appeal and AI issues as potential drawbacks that could affect the overall replayability of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth offers a high level of replay value due to its diverse gameplay mechanics, victory conditions, and strategic depth. Critics like Eurogamer Spain and GamesRadar++ emphasize the game's addictive nature and the multitude of possibilities and experiences it offers, making it highly replayable. While some critics point out specific shortcomings such as lack of variety in civilizations and potential late-game issues, the majority of reviewers appreciate the game's ability to provide engaging and immersive experiences that encourage players to explore different strategies and playstyles across multiple playthroughs.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics praise Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth for its diverse gameplay options and high replayability, citing various victory conditions, affinities, and strategic decisions. Despite some concerns about similarity in affinities and late-game issues, the game offers addictive gameplay with plenty of possibilities and experiences to explore, making it worth multiple playthroughs.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

80%

Mixed (50-79)

19%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

In analyzing the opinions of the critics on Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth, it is evident that the game has garnered praise for several aspects. Critics such as Destructoid and Eurogamer have commended the game for maintaining the core essence of the Civilization series while introducing new and innovative gameplay mechanics that enhance the overall experience. The sci-fi setting, affinity system, and narrative depth have been highlighted as positive aspects that add to the game's strategic depth and immersive aesthetics. Additionally, critics like Game Informer and Impulsegamer have lauded the game for its thought-provoking story, high replay value, and engaging modifications that make it a worthy addition to the franchise. On the flip side, some critics have pointed out certain drawbacks of Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth. Cheat Code Central and Gaming Age have criticized the game for its simplicity, lack of variety in factions and tech paths, and a focus on combat that may make it feel one-dimensional. Gaming Nexus also mentioned the need for more documentation regarding victory conditions, indicating that the game could benefit from clearer guidance in certain areas. Furthermore, GamingTrend highlighted that while the game is fun and well-crafted, it may lack the intangible quality that kept players engaged in its predecessor, Civilization V. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a positive reception of Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth. The game is praised for its fresh take on the Civ formula with a sci-fi setting, innovative gameplay mechanics, and a complex gaming experience that appeals to fans of turn-based strategy games. While some critics acknowledge the game's shortcomings in terms of lack of innovation, balance issues, and familiarity with previous titles in the series, the majority appreciate the game for its immersive gameplay, strategic depth, and engaging narrative. Ultimately, Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth seems to have successfully carved its own niche within the Civilization series, offering a compelling and enjoyable experience for fans of the franchise.

TL;DR

Critics praise Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth for maintaining the series essence with new gameplay mechanics, sci-fi setting, and engaging narrative. Some mention drawbacks like simplicity and lack of variety. Overall, the game receives positive feedback for its immersive experience and strategic depth, appealing to fans of turn-based strategy games.

CRITIK

Reviews

105 reviews found

IGN Italia

Oct 23, 2014