Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword

About

Sid Meier's Civilization IV®: Beyond the Sword is the second expansion pack for Civilization IV - the 2005 PC Game of the Year that has become a worldwide hit. The expansion focuses on the time periods after the invention of gunpowder and delivers 11 unique and challenging scenarios created by the development team at Firaxis as well as esteemed members of the Community. Beyond the Sword also inclu…

Genres & Tags

Strategy

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword screenshot

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 47 reviews

graphics2 positive mentions

stability1 negative mentions

The game offers deep strategic gameplay that is both relaxing and addictive, making it a favorite among fans of the genre.
It features a rich modding community that enhances the gameplay experience and adds variety.
Many players consider it the best entry in the Civilization series, praising its complexity, diplomacy, and replayability.

The Mac version suffers from technical issues, including crashes, bugs, and lack of support for newer operating systems.
Some players find the unit stacking mechanic problematic, leading to less strategic battles.
The game may feel outdated to newcomers who are accustomed to the mechanics of more recent entries in the series.

graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Overall, users appreciate the graphics improvements in the latest installment compared to previous versions, particularly noting that they find the visuals of Civ IV and Civ V lacking by modern standards. While some acknowledge that earlier games may have better gameplay, the outdated graphics make them less enjoyable to play today.
- “I like it better than Civ V for both graphics and rule changes.”
- “Civ IV's graphics are reminiscent of Civ VI.”
- “I'm actually also not convinced that Civ IV is really a better game inherently than Civ II or Civ III, but their graphics look so poor by contemporary standards that I find them unplayable.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent crashes to the desktop, excessive disk space usage, and various bugs such as texture lags, leading users to liken it to abandonware.
- “The game feels like a pile of abandonware: it uses twice the disk space it specifies, crashes to the desktop frequently, is buggy, and has texture lags.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a quirky and unexpected charm, with references to iconic figures like John Wayne, suggesting a playful and offbeat tone that may appeal to those who appreciate unconventional comedic elements.
- “Oh, and you have to think John Wayne (?!?) is a cool dude with a great sense of humor.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's optimization is praised for achieving a balance between complexity and performance, ensuring a smooth gaming experience.
- “Just the right level of complexity, good performance.”
- “The optimization is impressive, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
- “I love how the game balances graphics and performance, making it accessible to a wider audience.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players highlight an exceptional level of replayability, with one user noting it as unparalleled in their gaming experience. This suggests that the game offers compelling reasons to return, enhancing its long-term enjoyment.
- “I can't think of any other game that's ever had this level of sheer replayability for me.”
- “Every time I play, I discover something new, making each run feel fresh and exciting.”
- “The variety of choices and outcomes keeps me coming back for more, ensuring I never get bored.”