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How Metascores Are Calculated
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32nd America's Cup: The Game
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
Faster-Paced Fun - Gameplay has been streamlined for a tighter, faster, and more compelling experience.Greater Accessibility and Ease of Play - An easy-to-use interface will be immediately familiar to RTS and action game players, and newcomers to the series will be able to jump in and play. Tech Tree - Flexible Tech tree allows players more strategic choices for developing their civilizations along unique paths. More Civs, Units, and Improvements to enhance and grow your empire. Multiplayer -LAN, Internet, PBEM, and Persistent Turn-Based Server (PTBS) offer players all-new strategies and ways to play when competing or cooperating with live opponents. Team Play - Whether playing multiplayer or single player, team play offers a new way of setting locked alliances that result in shared wonder effects, visibility, unit trading, and shared territory that delivers a plethora of new strategic and tactical options. Civ IV comes to life! - Beautiful 3D world with dozens of fully animated units (including culturally unique units), and totally customizable armies. Cities and wonders will appear on the map. Wonder movies are back! [2K Games]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 100
GameSpy
A game with this much depth, this much strategy, this much replayability, and multiplayer is totally unheard of in this space. Civilization IV stands alone. No fan of strategy games should leave this on store shelves.
 100
Times Online
The graphics are solid and sharply focused, while the cities that used to expand all too predictably now take on more organic growth patterns that spread to encompass land between cities more naturally.
100
Sydney Morning Herald
It is infinitely replayable, incredibly balanced and faster-paced. Combat has been improved, with the addition of both depth and simplicity, while peacemaking and cultural supremacy are more viable options.
100
Thunderbolt
An incredibly addicting, engrossing, and incredibly well-designed inclusion. No stone was left unturned as the developers crafted this masterpiece and if you’re a fan of the previous installments of this game, you’re definitely going to enjoy this latest edition.
100
Computer Games Magazine
This is easily the best version of Civilization ever made. [Jan 2006, p.52]
100
G4 TV
Civ IV isn’t quite light enough to captivate all gamers, but it is the most fun, most engaging, and most entertaining of the series.
100
Armchair Empire
Civilization IV has a ridiculous amount of strategic elements packed into it.
100
GameShark
This really is strategy gaming at its very best and you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you skipped it. It's that good.
100
Games Radar
A streamlined interface, a non-linear tech tree, impressive AI with 18 personalities, a new combat system (no more spearmen defeating tanks), amazing multiplayer features and narration by Star Trek's Leonard Nimoy all give the new Civ plenty of both flash and substance.
100
BonusStage
The absolute best thing about Civilization IV is that previous experience with the series (or strategy games for that matter) isn’t necessary.
99
IC-Games
Firaxis have, without a shadow of a doubt, created a monster hit. Civilization IV will stand head and shoulders above all other turn based strategy games.
96
Ferrago
Firaxis have managed to thoroughly overhaul one of the classic games of all time and drag it up from its dark ages into the renaissance era. Even with its speedier gameplay Civ IV will be the cause of many sleepless nights and damaged relationships.
96
GameZone
Hands-down the best turn-based strategy game of the year. It is emotionally satisfying and addictive.
96
Gamer 2.0
Not just the best game in the series–which says a lot on its own–but it’s also one of, if not the very best strategy games ever made.
95
2404.org
Refreshes the Civ series and offers a great experience for newcomers to the series as well as seasoned veterans. It is immensely fun whether you play multi- or single-player.
95
Game Informer
The added level of control that the Civics system gives you is an incredibly useful tool for managing your civilization. [Jan 2006, p.152]
95
Gamers' Temple
The grandmaster series of strategy gaming spawns another game for the ages.
95
Jolt Online Gaming UK
It’s hard to describe every facet of Civ IV’s gameplay without writing an epic, but suffice it to say, this is everything Civilization fans could hope for.
95
PALGN
If you’re a Civ fan this game is a must, if you’re a fan of strategy games this also is a must.
95
Worth Playing
A virtual guarantee to keep you up into the wee hours, playing "just one more turn..." Flaws aside, any game that makes me see the sun come up is a great one.
94
PC Gamer
One of the most compulsively playable strategy games of all time. [Jan 2005, p.72]
94
GameSpot
Fundamentally, this is a much-improved version of the same Civ games we've all been playing and desperately trying to put down for years. And that's far from a bad thing. In fact, it's an awesome thing.
94
IGN
While the game hasn't lost any depth or detail, every aspect of the design has been streamlined to make it easier for new players to jump in and less monotonous for veterans. Die-hard fans will definitely find that the game offers up so much more variety this time around.
93
ActionTrip
One of the best games I've played this year - a true labor of love; perfectly scalable difficulty levels, great AI, in addition to all of the abovementioned improvements. A definite must buy.
93
Pelit (Finland)
No more micromanagement, diplomacy is finally easy to understand and combat is more rational than ever before. The graphics for camouflage units and advisors seem to be only half-finished, but it is still the best Civilization ever. [Dec 2005]
93
PGNx Media
It doesn’t revolutionize the series but the series is hardly is need of such a change.
93
FiringSquad
A great game and a fresh, new experience. Just about every single problem from previous titles, especially the lackluster "Civ III," has been adjusted or outright replaced. Whether it’s the endless city spamming, the lack of good multiplayer, or the AI cheating in obnoxious ways, it’s been addressed in Civilization IV.
93
Gaming Nexus
An incredibly fun and addictive addition to the Civilization franchise. Civilization IV brings back everything that makes this series great, and adds enough innovation to keep things fresh and approachable for both veteran and newcomer.
93
Da Gameboyz
The game is large and complex but all the elements interact with each other with such cohesiveness and fluidity.
93
Gaming Target
Civilization IV is exactly the sequel that fans of the series could have hoped for. This game is all about bringing more to the franchise.
92
Cheat Code Central
Civ IV is definitely one of the best strategy games of all times. Following three other classics in the series it has a great pedigree and manages to uphold the tradition of great gaming set forth by its predecessors.
92
My Gamer
Between the multitude of challenges that players must overcome in the single player campaign, the mods that can be made and played with the included World Builder and the ever-changing multiplayer scene, we’re happy to say that Civilization IV should hold the attention of the strategy gamer for months to come.
92
Computer and Video Games
Now, however, it's been nailed: simultaneous turns, variable game speeds, the ability to join a game on the hop by taking over an AI opponent and game dynamics that leave you despising your best friend. Quite frankly, you needn't buy another game for the entirety of next year - Civ will suffice, and it gets deeper each time you play. [PC Zone]
92
PC Format
It's the best strategy game released this year, and if you don't like it, there's something wrong with you. [Dec 2005 p.87]
92
Computer Games Online RO
A rock solid game, both on a technical and design level (it is advisable however to install the v1.09 patch, which eliminates some video and memory leak problems).
92
Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
It's the best strategy game released this year, and if you don't like it, there's something wrong with you.
91
Game Revolution
From start to finish this is a terrific, addictive, deep, rewarding turn-based affair. Its new engine and revamped multiplayer breathe new life into an old standby, leading to another winner for Sid.
90
Game Chronicles
Yet another smash hit for Sid Meier and crew, combining deep elements of strategy, with improved graphics, and a stellar soundtrack. Anyone even remotely interested in history, turn-based gaming or anyone who even owns a PC should check this excellent title out.
90
Gamenikki
Highly enjoyable and infinitely replayable. It is easily the best game that I’ve played this year.
90
AceGamez
The game sticks to its roots but has dropped the dead leaves and found some new flowers to make a big enough change for it to be inviting to both newcomers and long-time fans of the series.
90
GamePro
There are still some strange sticking points--buried icons or inexplicable quirks--that leave room for improvement, and a more complete tutorial would also be helpful. But in the end, this is the tightest Civ yet.
90
GamerFeed
Civilzation delivers all the gameplay that fans expect from the series, although some of the more subtle details from previous games have been scaled down.
90
Next Level Gaming
If you enjoy this game then the replay value for you is nearly endless.
90
Yahoo! Games
Firaxis shows an impressively consistent grasp of what to abstract and what to detail, and a remarkable talent for presenting large-scale strategic challenges in a format that's easy to digest.
90
1UP
From the mellow sounds of Leonard Nimoy's narration to the polished world view that allows you to smoothly scroll from satellite view to up-close and personal, this is the consummate update of a classic.
90
EuroGamer
It’s good. Damn good. In fact, I’ll certainly go as far as saying it’s the best pure strategy game I’ve played this year, and that’s good enough for me.
90
Computer Gaming World
If you harbor any interest in strategy games and want something with more depth than the average mindless RTS, then you would do well to immerse yourself in Civilization IV and let it soak in.
90
RewiredMind
A superbly detailed labour of love. The game really benefits from over 10 years of development, and is smooth and polished.
80
Gamers Europe
The new interface may throw a few of the more institutionalised players off the scent, but it won’t be long before they settle down for another few years.
80
games(TM)
Even though stellar work has gone into making the game as accessible as possible, there's no escaping the fact that Civilization games are for Civilization fans. And fans won't be dissapointed with Civilization IV. [Dec 2005, p.96]
Barlog . gave it a10: John D. gave it a10: Trav gave it a7: Adam S. gave it a9: Chris C. gave it a10: Nathan F. gave it a7: Nick U. gave it a10: |
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