Big Versus compares Civilization Revolution to PC predecessors

by Griffin McElroy { Jul 12th 2008 at 7:00PM }

Wipe away those tears, sunken-eyed PC loyalists. We know you're upset that Firaxis appears to have turned their back on you in favor of the somewhat fairer console waters, but perhaps the latest edition of Big Versus on Joystiq's youngest sibling, Big Download, will mend your tattered hearts. The console-exclusive Civilization Revolution is measured against the PC-exclusive Civilization IV in this installment -- are PC gamers being robbed of an important chapter in the seminal turn-based strategy franchise, or are they dodging a dumbed-down, oversimplified bullet? You've got to read to find out -- but knowing you brainy PC types, that shouldn't be a problem.

Tags: big-download, big-versus, civilization-iv, civilization-revolut..., comparison, console, firaxis, pc, strategy, turn-based-strategy

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Nick the Hero of Canton @ Jul 12th 2008 7:05PM

I've only played the first Civ game but I enjoyed the demo for Rev a lot.

Zak Canard @ Jul 12th 2008 7:59PM

The original PC version will always be the best of the series, although Civ2 is a close second. Civ Rev to me will never be anything more than a Civ Lite.

Orionsaint @ Jul 12th 2008 7:43PM

Is that celia cruz?

juju187 @ Jul 12th 2008 7:53PM

omgz its a zombie.

Korova of the highlands @ Jul 12th 2008 10:52PM

we have a match

LaughingTarget @ Jul 12th 2008 8:16PM

I like it on the DS. It is essentially the exact same game, but half the price and an obvious graphical disadvantage. Civ Rev is perfectly set up as a handheld game, but it isn't satisfying as a console experience.

BigD145 @ Jul 12th 2008 8:29PM

"Civilization was an evolution of the strategy experience and its recent console counterpart has shifted its focus to a more accessible experience."

I.E. watered down. It's not a revolution, it's a stupification. The PS3 and 360 are capable of oh so much more processing power.

Yuccadude @ Jul 13th 2008 1:24AM

It's not the processing power that they dumbed it down for, they streamlined it so that it is possible to play without a pointing device like the mouse or Wiimote.

Farseer (GDI) @ Jul 13th 2008 2:45AM

In my opinion, they scaled back the game not for the processing power or for the input device, but for the console audience.

I imagine that a majority of console owners are not hardcore PC gamers, and a game as complex as Civ (IV) is not something that will sell well on a console.

I'm both a PC and console gamer, so I bring no bias...

Haggard @ Jul 13th 2008 2:43PM

They scaled back the gameplay, not the graphics..

They didn't simplify it for technological reasons.

Neebs @ Jul 12th 2008 8:49PM

I love Civ, especially 4, and I played the demo and thought it was dumbed down crap.

Alcevious @ Jul 12th 2008 9:15PM

Haven't we known for a while now that this new Civilization game sucks? But every time the game is brought up on Joystiq it's greeted as something entirely new and exciting.

GenBanks @ Jul 12th 2008 9:20PM

I am a fan of Civ on PC but I gave Rev a try. It's nothing like the PC versions. It's like 'Advance Wars' on gameboy. All about warfare. You can't even have open border agreements ffs! It's all about fighting. You can't avoid war. Also, the resolution is low. Why couldn't they have it at 1080p native? It's not like it would have been hard.

I'm not saying the game isn't fun, but no one should get the idea that it somehow replaces the PC editions. I've clocked up 15 hours of Civ IV since buying Revolutions, because I was reminded of how awesome Civ is. However, the console version is a very pale imitation.

rivaldi22 @ Jul 12th 2008 9:54PM

That article was a fucking disaster. The content was great, but holy crap, get an editor.

Jake11 @ Jul 12th 2008 10:05PM

joystiq fail English? That's unpossible!

Xav de Matos @ Jul 13th 2008 12:58AM

Just wanted to weigh in on your criticism. Thanks for enjoying the content, as for the needed edits I went through it and fixed a lot of issues I guess I was too drunk to have noticed.

Thanks for the feedback and making it a better piece.

Xav de Matos @ Jul 13th 2008 1:01AM

Xav de Matos @ Jul 13th 2008 1:05AM

I'm so grateful I thought a dupe was in order, apparently.

rivaldi22 @ Jul 13th 2008 10:35AM

Haha, drunk writing. Word to that, I wrote some of my best papers under the influence.

It's no biggie, man, and like I said, it was a great, and informative article.

gore on the floor @ Jul 12th 2008 10:32PM

I played the demo for this the day it went up and was instantly drawn in.

Then I bought Civ IV for PC.

At least the game was worth something.

Korova of the highlands @ Jul 12th 2008 10:58PM

"Civilization Revolution is a great game. What it does, it does very well. Its purpose was to convert the Civilization experience into a new style that is better suited to console gamers."

I havent gotten it yet, but I am going to get it. Its different gameplay from PC, but they got it right.

I know it hard for people to accept brand extension, but its Sid Meier - he does not do crap. Its different but it does not suck. And I am a total Civ whore, so I am definitely getting it and spending many a sleepless hot night with it.

wiiowner @ Jul 13th 2008 2:46AM

can wii owners still cry? let us know

Amos @ Jul 13th 2008 3:40AM

Civ Revolution is a damn fun game. I'm not a Strat newby, but I've still never felt the desire to dedicate DAYS to a game of normal Civ. Plus, Rev's cartooniness just has a more addictive draw to its graphical appeal IMO. Granted, it is obvious there were some strategic elements stripped from Rev...but it would have been easily solved by a little more design work from the ground up to make it less obvious and more streamlined (which is what they were going for and *mostly* succeeded at).

The only things I think they SHOULD have put in Civ Rev for its type of game are a campaign mode (New players to the series need a draw to keep trying matches) and an ability to save/edit/re-play maps. Honestly.

juju187 @ Jul 13th 2008 10:15AM

save it for the sequal.

T-Bag @ Jul 13th 2008 1:21PM

If there is a single person siding with revolution, we as a species have failed. Civilization Revolution was nothing but a butchered childish RTS. It bared no resemblance to it's PC counterpart, and furthermore lagged at times when more than 4 units were on the screen. So please, spare us the embarrassment of this comparison.

BIGFAT @ Jul 13th 2008 2:06PM

I'm siding with revolution, i dont feel the need to buy a 700 or 800 dollar gaming computer when i have a 450 console sitting in my living room, so if this is the only way i can enjoy a civilization game then so be it. For the people like me who never played a civilization game until now, this game is excellent and we dont feel like were missing nothing. maybe if they would have changed the title of the game it wouldn't be getting bashed this much.

Haggard @ Jul 13th 2008 2:46PM

You'd better get a water-cooled rig with twin 9800GX2's to run Civ 4...

Saria the Cat @ Jul 13th 2008 4:37PM

I see nothing wrong with making a great strategy series more accessible to a mainstream audience. No one is twisting your arm to buy this game, and now more users are able to take part in the experience that is Civ, and it is no longer a great monster the average player would not be willing to attempt (complexity-wise and technologically). Just stick with your Civ IV if you're happy with it (which I am), and let other people begin to enjoy Civ as well. :)

nutman @ Jul 13th 2008 3:15PM

I wish it was on PC because i love Civ rev. I've tried to get into civilization so many times but it was too difficult and had too much micro management. Civ rev is perfect for me.

Ben8j2p @ Jul 18th 2008 9:00PM

Whoever wrote that little excerpt above is obviously uneducated when it comes to the PC game market. A majority of PC gamers fall into the strategy genre! What are you smoking dude? Should I mention a few games??? World of Warcraft, Command and Conquer, Starcraft, Sim City, should I go on??? Why in the hell would you play a turn based strategy game exclusively on a console based system? A majority of the people who play such games find their home on the PC. Seriously, who did the market research on this one??? lol... Giving how WELL the Civilization predecessors faired on the PC!!! Personally I would not play this game on a PS3, Wii, or XBOX 360... Where is the functionality to create new units, maps, and scenarios. This is where the PC has more flexibility in terms of a console setup; which is limited! Go back to school boys and try this again! Geez…. RETARDS!!!