Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth Reviews

Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth is ranked in the 86th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Cheat Code Central
Angelo M. D’Argenio
Top Critic
4 / 5.0
Sep 3, 2014

Overall, I would say that Civilization: Beyond Earth was fun, at least as fun as Civ 5. It just wasn't mind-blowing, which is a shame because all the Alpha Centauri fans out there were kind of hoping for that. The game almost feels like a Civilization 5 sci-fi mod, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. If anything, the game sells itself on promise. I can see expansions including new factions, new tech, and possibly even new affinities making this game a wonderfully fun and addictive experience that lasts for years. For now, however, the game is simply fun, and that is probably enough to warrant a purchase for most. Just don't expect this game to give you the stars.

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8 / 10
Oct 22, 2014

Civilization has always had something to say about this stuff (and civilisation has always had something to say about this stuff) but Beyond Earth goes further than ever, suggesting that even if we do eventually live on Pluto, the distractions will have joined us there, and will probably have multiplied. When we get into space, the real danger - and the real wonder - will be the fact that we have brought ourselves along.

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7 / 10
Oct 22, 2014

Despite its faults, Civilization: Beyond Earth does fulfill its promise to take you to a distant world, where you'll find exotic alien life, meet future leaders of mankind... and conquer them.

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GameSpot
Nick Capozzoli
Top Critic
7 / 10
Oct 22, 2014

Civilization: Beyond Earth's brave new world feels pretty familiar, but that's okay.

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PC Gamer
Top Critic
87 / 100
Oct 22, 2014

Although its foundation in Civ 5 makes it familiar, Beyond Earth is full of interesting surprises that are pleasantly difficult to master.

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9 / 10.0
Oct 22, 2014

Another success in the line of Civ games.  It does a good job of setting the scene and taking the player along on a story of hope, struggle and triumph.  The ability to customize your side both before and during the game will lend itself to long debates over the "best " strategies.  Replayability and the inevitable mods and expansions will keep this on your hard drive for a long time.

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USgamer
Top Critic
Oct 22, 2014

I was worried going in that Civilization: Beyond Earth would be little more than a re-skinned Civilization V with a few added bells and whistles; but thankfully, the flow, structure, and overall feel of the strategy makes for a very different game. At the same time though, it embraces its roots, while also playing its sci-fi inspirations to the hilt. Firaxis Games can still take the concept further, but ultimately, I like the foundation they've laid with their latest foray into science fiction strategy.

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9 / 10.0
Oct 22, 2014

Civilization: Beyond Earth successfully injects new life into Sid Meier's long-running strategy series

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9.5 / 10.0
Oct 22, 2014

If only there were more variety in the structure of the victory conditions between divergent philosophies, Civilization: Beyond Earth would be a perfect game. Even with that dissonance, it is damn close. The Civilization pedigree holds a lot of weight after all these years, and Beyond Earth more than lives up to its name.

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8 / 10
Oct 22, 2014

Not just 'Civ 5 in space', but excellent series additions are offset by problems old and new.

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Oct 22, 2014

Despite a few pre-existing flaws carried over from Civilization V, Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth evolves the franchise and has the potential to become an outstanding spin-off of its own.

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8 / 10
Oct 22, 2014

An excellent spin-off that uses the science fiction setting to focus and expand the gameplay in interesting new ways, and yet remains as accessible and thoughtful as ever.

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83 / 100
Oct 22, 2014

Sid Meier should be proud to have his name on Civilization: Beyond Earth. It's got its problems. But it's a game that will have you staying up late at night, itching to complete just one more turn.

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Oct 22, 2014

Civilization: Beyond Earth may seem a bit too familiar for a game supposedly set on a distant planet, but the roving packs of aliens and the new quest system make it an expedition worth embarking on.

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8.8 / 10.0
Oct 22, 2014

If anyone needs me, I'll be playing Beyond Earth for a very, very long time.

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Luke Plunkett
Top Critic
Yes
Oct 22, 2014

The great Civ V experiment continues, and for the most part, it's a success.

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Dan Stapleton
Top Critic
7.9 / 10.0
Oct 22, 2014

Some of its new ideas work better than others, but Civilization: Beyond Earth retains its addictive 4X qualities.

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Oct 22, 2014

An overall solid turn-based strategy game that suffers from information overload resulting in analysis paralysis for the player, Beyond Earth has a few really interesting systems but ultimately doesn't transcend those mechanics into something unique or awe-inspiring.

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Unscored
Oct 23, 2014
► WTF Is... -  Civilization: Beyond Earth ? video thumbnail
Buy
Oct 23, 2014

I'm addicted. In the middle of a holiday season that's seen and will see a lot of strong games, I don't want to put Civilization: Beyond Earth down.

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