Take2 Interactive Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword review

A good add-on pack improves upon rather than merely expands on the original game.

A great one changes the nature of the game for the better. This second expansion for the acclaimed strategy game Civilization IV (which received our Best Buy award in What's New: Games, Shopper January 2006) manages both.

If you're a Civilization veteran, you'll find that the increased focus on espionage and corporations helps you conquer the world by non-military means. New buildings, technologies and units are available for both approaches, though, and mean new strategies are required for victory.

Random events, from natural disasters to arranged marriages, make an old formula more unpredictable. Most additions and changes flow into the existing game so naturally that a casual player won't notice they're there. They improve Civilization IV for veterans, but are too subtle to bring you back if the original game didn't hold your attention for long.

It still comes highly recommended due to the diverse new scenarios. Some modifications change the game completely. One sees you conquering galaxies rather than continents: it plays like Civilization, but looks and feels very different. Another sees you control a squad of future-soldiers as they fight alien zombies. Its combat-only approach distinguishes it from the money-making and city-building of the original. Other scenarios simply recreate historical periods or extend the game's timeline. Some are minor or uninteresting, but others deserve hours of attention. In any case, if you enjoyed Civilization IV at all, you'll find at least one scenario to your tastes.

Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword is an essential expansion pack for all Civilization fans. The scenarios alone should reignite your passion for strategy gaming.

Author: Alec Meer