SID MEIER’S CIVILIZATION VI
Get into an empire state of mind
Do you ever look at politicians on the news and think, ‘I could do better’? Then you’re a little weird and need a virtual power trip. We’re in the realm of empire building, of taking a group of tiny humans huddled by a campfire to the heady heights of becoming a global superpower.
A legend on PC, turn-based strategy sim Civilisation VI finally, ahem, turns to the PS4 to spread its reach. It’s a game where megalomania is a good thing, but in this edition staying on top is harder than ever.
It ticks all the boxes you could want from a tactical world-builder: there are both singleplayer and multiplayer modes. The music is just the right side of grating. 1 The core loop has you gathering resources to upgrade your civilisation’s skills, technology, culture, and military. It’s complex but refined and open to abuse in the most fun ways possible.
It seems the dev is aware PS4 players are coming cold to the series and has slipped in hints and prompts throughout, which is also important in terms of accessibility. It makes playing such an in-depth strategy sim on the sofa a joy. It’s a polished game, and its PC roots show in the well-put-together cinematics and animation, though that also means menus can be harder to navigate on a DualShock than on a mouse and keyboard, and often the AI does things you’d rather it wouldn’t. Also it’s a shame the two expansions, Rise And Fall and Gathering Storm, 2 aren’t bundled in with the game.
Minor gripes aside, this is a great PS4 port of a proven game. If you’re a fan of the Civilization series or the turn-based strategy genre, prepare to move in and get building. Laura Francis