Getting an early look at ‘Civ V’

A early look at “Civilization V” shows the strategy game to have a familiar feel for long-time fans, but radical changes to make the well known series fresh and exciting.

“Civilization V” (Firaxis Games/2K Games) is a turn-based, strategy computer game where players attempt to conquer the world by means of force, politics or cultural influences.  It is the latest in a long line of games and expansion packs in the series that began in 1991.

CNN was provided a preview copy of the game that still had some bugs in the works.  While we tested it, changes were made to correct some issues that cropped up.  This version also did not offer any multiplayer action or modding, where players can make changes or create scenarios.

After loading a breathtakingly rendered 2 minute cinematic to introduce the game and getting through the start menu, the game hits you with its first major change – hexes.  Instead of the familiar square grid, the maps and movement are done along a hex grid, offering greater flexibility of movement and a more realistically looking map.

Combat units are very familiar with only changes made to units unique to each culture.  During battles, only one combat unit is allowed per hex – no more stacking of forces to overrun an opponent.

This definitely changes the strategy on how conflicts are carried out and won.  Ranged units, like archers and catapults, can fire from a distance so combat becomes a softening up process with arrows before sending in the ground troops with the killing blow.

Battles are also more protracted.  Units have hit points, a way to measure how much life is left, and not all hit points are immediately eliminated in one battle.  This allows wounded units the ability to withdraw and fight another day.

Resources are in abundance and you’ll need all you can find.  Items like iron and horses will help arm your military while gems, marble and incense please your population and inspire them to work more efficiently.

City expansion in the game is more measured now and takes more time to do properly.  Expand too fast and the people become unhappy.  Not fast enough and your supply of food and gold will be quickly sucked up.  Also, expansion takes place more realistically as resources hexes are quickly swallowed by a city’s border before empty grassland hexes.

Gold, in particular, is vitally important to just about every aspect of the game.  You can purchase land to expand your empire, buy military units for a sudden offensive rush, or obtain new buildings without spending the time to build them.  It can also be used to sway other leaders and city-states – independent civilizations that do not expand, but can be conquered or parlayed with.

More options about your civilization’s cultural effects allow for greater flexibility and more bonuses as the player continues to increase his influence. New, more powerful bonuses are also available for those who strive to win with a cultural victory.

There are still some game play issues that need to be addressed, but the team at Firaxis has some time.  They are still working on the tech tree and dealing with some movement glitches that keep the game balance on an even keel.

Striving to build of a thriving populous while dealing with up to 12 other civilization and 24 city-states that can appear on a single map will hook players into “Civ V” to find the best way to take over the world.  The early changes shown mean many gamers will be up late at night to play “one more turn.”

“Civilization V” is due out in North America on September 21 for PCs only.  It will be available in Europe three days later.