IGN's Civ Rev (DS) Preview (plus Video!)

Lacking a version for Wii, WiiHD chooses instead to revel in the DS version Civilization Revolution, the latest in the incredible Civilization franchise. This week, IGN brings us a Civ Rev DS Preview with new video footage, Victory details, multiplayer details, examples of scenarios, and a few frustrations. Last week, WiiHD gave you a Tech Tree.

Remember, this a streamlined re-imagining of Civilization. It's meant to ward off late-game boredom with a faster pace, lasting just a couple of hours instead of 60+. It's more multiplayer friendly, and better suited for consoles. The DS version plays just like the others, but it has flatter, 2d graphics instead. Now for the preview. IGN is wordy, so WiiHD is going to give you the lean skinny.

The bad: 1) The stylus was poorly implemented, so just count on using the dpad the entire time. That's sad because that could have been a big bonus for the DS version. 2) The game prevents you from entering the territory of friendly civs, and unlike earlier games, you cannot negotiate a Right of Passage. As a result, getting walled off early is bad. 3) Nothing to do while waiting for your turn. IGN doesn't make it clear, but WiiHD knows that the PS360 versions of Civ Rev feature simultaneous turns, and the DS probably does too. This means you all move at the same time during one turn, but once you're finished, you have to wait for everyone else to finish as well. 4) There's no way to zoom out and look at the whole world at once, making the experience feel constrained. It sounds like it could be harder to orient yourself in some instances.

The details: Victory comes by 1) Exodus to Alpha Centauri, 2) Capturing 4 (all) enemy capitals 3) Achieving 8 Economic Milestones or 4) gaining 20 Great People or Wonders. Villages are in Civ Rev, just like other Civs. Some are hostile and fight you, others will offer exchanges—you teach them a tech, they'll provide you with something, like spies or intel. Multiplayer is just like single-player, with you and up to 4 other people. The game is streamlined more than other Civs partly because of the emphasis on multiplayer, so it should be a nice experience. Scenarios There are ten total, and include things like stronger barbarians, alternate starter technology, and starting later in a more aggressive and faster paced game.

Check out the videos after the break. All FOUR of them =)

Click in the Right hand bar to see Modern Warfare, Science and Technology, and 300BC.

For comparison sake, and schadenfreude, here's the 360 version: