Sid Meier's Civilization VI
Overview -
'Civilization', the granddaddy of modern turn-based strategy, was released for PC in 1991 by a man named Sid Meier. Like his seminal series, Meier would go on to become an extremely influential force in gaming for decades. 'Civ' is now in its 6th edition, with a few offshoots like 'Revolution' and 'Beyond Earth' here and there to pad out an already sizable franchise.
Video Review
'Civ 6' takes a different approach to visuals. Previous games have emphasized style over realism in many cases, but here it has been taken to an almost 'Revolution'-level extreme, with bobblehead leaders and a glittery, tablety overmap. It's not necessarily a complaint, more of an observation. The districts for their part have been well-developed, and make each city look more like a planned urban ecosystem than a blotchy layer of farms and mines. I do like that the boring fog of war has been replaced with a primitive explorer's map, complete with burnt edges and artistic doodles of sea dragons.
Audio Review
The audio is well done, especially the linguistic repertoire on display and the pleasant, lilting score during normal gameplay. Sean Bean plays the narrator to great effect, dispensing quotes in his defeated, reserved fashion.
Final Thoughts
I found some problems with 'Civilization VI' but not enough to keep me from enjoying it for quite a few hours. Firaxis has improved some systems and stumbled on others, including things that should be in good shape by now, like diplomacy. I have a feeling that a year from now it will be a much better, bigger game, (not to mention cheaper) as is tradition with this series. I just wish that the inevitable DLC felt more like expansions and less like content filling in the gaps from the day one release.