Games

Best of 2009 | 08 |07 | 06 | 05
Advanced Search

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.

Civilization IV

EMAIL PRINT pc

7.6 User Score:

Universal acclaim

Based on 50 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 246 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >

Game Info

Publisher: 2K Games

Developer: Firaxis

Genre(s): Turn-Based Strategy

Players: 12

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)

Release Date: October 24, 2005

Summary

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]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Civilization II Civilization III Civilization III: Conquests Civilization III: Play the World Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central GameSpot Guide

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

100

Armchair Empire

Civilization IV has a ridiculous amount of strategic elements packed into it.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

100

Games Radar (in-house)

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

Play.tm

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.

Read Full Review >

GameZone

Hands-down the best turn-based strategy game of the year. It is emotionally satisfying and addictive.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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]

Gamers' Temple

The grandmaster series of strategy gaming spawns another game for the ages.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

PC Gamer

One of the most compulsively playable strategy games of all time. [Jan 2005, p.72]

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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]

PGNx Media

It doesn’t revolutionize the series but the series is hardly is need of such a change.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

Da Gameboyz

The game is large and complex but all the elements interact with each other with such cohesiveness and fluidity.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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]

Read Full Review >

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]

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).

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

Gamenikki

Highly enjoyable and infinitely replayable. It is easily the best game that I’ve played this year.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

Next Level Gaming

If you enjoy this game then the replay value for you is nearly endless.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

RewiredMind

A superbly detailed labour of love. The game really benefits from over 10 years of development, and is smooth and polished.

Read Full Review >

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.

Read Full Review >

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]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.6 (out of 10) based on 246 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Andre C gave it a3:
What can I say about CIV4? Well.....I was an avid player of CIV2; I loved it; really cool game. I purchased CIV3 a long while back and didn't really like it's mechanics and it seemed to be a bit much of a chore to really improve your civilization or get anything done. I eventually got fed up with trying it and traded it in to EBX for a $1 lol. I then got Alpha Centauri; an amazing game! So I figured, ok Sid is back. With that in mind, I tried out CIV4. At first I really liked it. The graphics weren't really my main concern so long as the game play was similar to CIV2 or Alpha Centauri. Well I played it on the second to easiest level, just to get familiar and like the other person who voted, I also started getting frustrated and noticing something was up when I had an army tanks and mechanized infantry and they couldn't seem to take down a cavalry unit from the 1800s. Are you freaking serious? I tried very hard to like this game and it does have a lot of likable qualities. However, they really dropped the ball on the unit balancing and mechanics, which doesn't make it challenging, it makes it infuriating. I uninstalled it immediately and went back to playing Alpha Centauri for my turn based strategy fix. If they could fix that "cant take any of my units down no matter how powerful your units are because I'm a cheating piece of crap AI" it would be a great game. Oh and one other thing that was SUPER annoying was if you built your city too close to a neighboring civilization occasionally your city would revolt and join the other civ. omg, such an annoying game, I'm done talking about it. It's making me mad just think about it's stupidity.

Jim Bo gave it a4:
Yup, great graphics and cool new stuff. But I can't care about all this anymore after some hours of gameplay of Civ4, while I could spend days playing 3. Can't get hooked by all these new features because the game loses its power to immerse the player. Why? Diplomacy useless through centuries. No future: Once the map is covered into borders, change stops happening. You need long and boring wars to conquer territories that low culture won't allow to use before eons... So when taking a first "row" of cities, you need to destroy the next row in order to make your first ones' grow. The system seeks to prevent you from doing daring conquests. Then the only best option is tech race, while you resist a few defensive wars, and while your workers just stand for centuries on a territory all covered by roads and improvements (which also happened in Civ3, but late), waiting for a new tech that'll let them improve a tile or two. To sum up: fine innovations worth the try, not addictive at all once the learning curve has been climbed. Still, I'll be the first to buy Civ5...

Toby M gave it a9:
Whatever people say about the game being bad is likely because in all honesty it's not just insanely tough, it's also hard to get into. But i give this game a 9 because once you do get into it, it is one of the best strategy games i play to date, the indepth of the culture aspect of the game leads to a whole new way of getting victory, why kill your annoyingly AI oppents when they can kill your tank with archers (which i've tested and isn't true) when you can expand your cultrual borders into theirs and then before they know it! The city is yours!

Graham P gave it a4:
Dissapointing. Once archers are in play attacking or launching a war is pretty much off limits for 50 turns of research. The eras don't last long enough for me. You start classical war and by time you just start to get into it, low and beholdit's medieval times already. And when you see archers able to defend cities vs tanks you know something is up with the game mechanics. The game feels to narrow and doesn't give a chance for creativiety in tactics. There are to many gripes that ditract from mthe game. It's dissapointing becuase it had a lot of potential and could have been so much better, I was expecting better.

Great Gamer gave it a10:
Best Civ game ever made. Great technology tree, culture, military, superb graphic, music and the best gameplay in strategic games. There are "only" 18 nations (civilizations) but additional are added in the next addons ;P My score is 10-/10, but there are no "-" scores availabele, so i score maxumim ;)

marc a gave it a5:
Loved Civ 1 and 2, played Civ 3 quite possibly more than any game, so take it from me this is not a low score from someone who rarely plays such games....but Civ 4 is just well, meh....so disappointing. Graphically I actually prefer 3 in many ways, the units look bad, the cartoony leaders just shout out that they're dumbing the game down for more casual gamers....the religion aspect is a welcome addition, but it wasn't long before I was playing mods to keep the interest going. I have since played Civ 3 a few times, but Civ 4 is gathering dust on my shelf. Galactic Civs 2 is my current game of choice for this genre.

Jera W gave it a10:
This game brought Civilization up to date, addressing many of the old issues such as city sprawl and other limitations that did not match the simulation of empires and advancement that Sid Meier's originally envisioned. Fireaxis had done a great job with the game. They stayed true to the spirit of the game while also starting afresh. The game is the only game I have ever given a 10 rating too.

Games

Sony

Microsoft

Nintendo

Other Platforms

Upcoming &Recent Releases

Civilization IV

Game Info

Summary

Also On Metacritic

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases