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Civilization IV on PC

Civilization IV Screen Shots

Civilization IV is a Strategy game available on the PC. It can be played in Singleplayer Turnbased Competitive Cooperative modes.

Civilization IV is a Strategy game. Strategy games provide experiences that require quick thinking, and forward planning from the gamer. They combine the unfolding tactics of classic games like chess, with more recent board games such as Risk. Usually focusing on a theatre of war context, players enjoy the tactical overview of the battle these games provide.

Civilization IV can be played in a Singleplayer mode. Single Player Campaign games focus on one player's experience. Rather than collaborate with other players either locally or online, players progress alone. The campaign style of gameplay offers a connected series of challenges to play through. These chapters work together to tell a story through which players progress. Single player games are able to focus on one experience of a scenario, so that it is usually a richer, more visceral game.

Civilization IV can be played in a Turnbased mode. Turn Based games are played in turns, so that players can stop and consider their next move. This is common in tactical experience such as strategy or adventure games as this enhances the sense of control and planning the player has. Other genres - such as sporting, fighting and rhythm action games obviously rely on realtime game play.

Civilization IV can be played in a Competitive mode. Competitive Multiplayer games provide experiences where players compete against each other and the computer. Obviously lending itself to sports and team games, these competitive engagements have also dominated the shooting and fighting genres because of the direct combat and expertise involved in each. Although these games were originally played in a split screen style, more recently they are played online via services such as PlayStation Network, Xbox Live and the Nintendo Wireless Connection.

Civilization IV can be played in a Cooperative mode. Cooperative Multiplayer games provide an experience that is played symaltaneously by multiple players. Unlike the simple arena competitive multiplayer style games where players try to kill the most enemies, true co-operative games are designed to take a group of players through a campaign experience together. This will involve sections where players have to work together to proceed - either from the sheer difficulty as in Halo 3 on 360 or by the design of levels such as LittleBigPlanet on PS3.

News

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Reviews

Perpetual Gamer review Sun, 17 May 2009

Civilization IV creates a world around you. A relaxing but invigorating historic triumph complete with beautifully detailed environments, solid flowing game play that simply leaves other strategy titles wanting.

I popped my Civilization cork before a busy bank holiday weekend with my family. As the game loads up I realise I'm actually rather too tired to appreciate this big hitting strategy and decide to hit the sac. But as the opening cinematic unfolds before my sleepy eyes I feel intrigued. Apart from the nice imagery I am immediately drawn into the ethos of this game - controlling nations, conquering conquerors.
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