Civilization: Revolution for the Nintendo DS
 

So I finally caved in and got Civilization: Revolution for the Nintendo DS.

I'm here to share my opinions.

The gameplay has been more or less dumbed down. You cannot create or customize your maps, you can't change how many civilizations you face. You just pick your difficulty and go.

Workers and public works are a thing of the past in the DS version. You do not have to build mines or farms or anything. Various building you can create alter what you get from what kind of terrain. For example the Trading Post increases the trade from desserts by 1, the harbor increases food from sea squares by 1, and so on. There are also numerous natural resources which increase a squares gold, trade, food, or production value as well. Unlike in Civilization IV, you do not need particular resources to build particular units.

The graphics are simplistic. Extremely simplistic. Your normal screen contains unanimated icons that move around a map. The battle screens are much more lively, with your units crossing the battlefield and doing battle in full animation, finally delivering the final blow and then giving a victory cry of "yay!" It has a very cute charm to it.

There are only 47 techs in the game. You progress quickly but not too quickly, and you can choose to dominate through culture victory, military domination, economic domination, or by building a space ship and launching for the stars.

Overall, this is a fun game. If you go in planning on a Civ IV experience, you will be dissapointed, but the fact is that if you have played Civilization and enjoy it, this is a nice, fun little game. The games are faster, but you get to save them as you progress through the game, and there are wireless features as well. You can start or join online games, or just play a nearby friend with the wireless communications built into every DS.

Overall I give this game a 7/10.
While it did lack in some areas, it is entertaining and enjoyable, and in the end, that is all I look for in a game, particularly in a handheld.

How is the diplomacy handled in that game?

Each city has culture borders. You must be at war or be a caravan or spy to enter the culture borders.

Diplomacy can be engaged at any time by hitting select (kinda random button for it though)

You can trade techs or sell techs. And thats about it. Long Term peace treaties are out, as far as i know. Peace Treaties lasting a certain number of turns can be offered at war time in exchange for gold or technology.
I haven't played around with diplomacy too much. I've been too busy crushing my helpless enemies with my armies of horsemen.

heh, seems to have borrowed from Civ 3...

Wah, I wanted something more like Civ 2, since I never understood the culture boarders and a lot of things got complicated past 2.

online play with civilization never really made sense to me. Mostly because my one game lasted 16 hours -_-

I guess it's something you really have to be dedicated for, and not finish in one session.

I can achieve military victories in the DS version in under 2 hours. Frequently.

though in my defence raw agression is typically the easiest route in any game.

I do like cultural victory though. It is so satisfying when you make your nation so awesome, other cities just want to rebel and join you.

In the DS version can you name your ruler and nation? In 4 I named my ruler God, made enemy threats quite amusing

You can't name your ruler, civilization, or cities anything custom. When a city is made you are given 3 choices of what to call it.

There are several rulers, each with different bonuses. Each ruler has 4 bonuses. One for ancient times, one for medieval times, one for industrial times, and one for modern times. For example, Montezuma of the Aztecs gets a bonus in ancient times where all units heal themselves after a victory. Then when medieval times hit, he gets another bonus where all temples produce +3 culture. The idea is that they get more bonuses as they progress eventually making each culture unique. Ghengis of the Mongols is one of my favorites to play because his ancient bonus is that whenever he conquers a barbarian village, it becomes a city and a part of his empire.

If he still has those kickass horsemen, I'm sold.