Sid Meier’s Civilization Beyond Earth Concept Shouldn’t Face the Reaper

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For decades, the Sid Meier’s Civilization series has held a prominent position in the strategy game genre. Since 1991, gamers have been captivated by six unique mainline games, with a seventh set for release this year. Additionally, numerous spin-offs of the Sid Meier’s Civilization franchise have expanded the brand to various new destinations. However, one of those spin-offs has yet to fully exploit its potential if given an opportunity.

First introduced in 2014, “Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth” aimed to transport the franchise into the realm of science fiction, offering a fresh, exciting journey. Despite receiving favorable critiques, the game failed to captivate audiences extensively, with just one expansion pack released. Since then, the studio has largely moved on. However, despite its shortcomings in execution, the underlying idea holds great potential for revisitation. With some adjustments and improvements, “Beyond Earth” could deliver an outstanding experience for enthusiasts of the series.

Sid Meier’s Civilization Should Not Leave Beyond Earth Behind

Beyond Earth Was a Flawed but Fun Experience

In a new take on the game, Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth, players are given a glimpse of what might occur following their science victory in Sid Meier’s Civilization 5. Rather than revisiting historical events, they embark on a journey to leave an impact on an enigmatic alien world. Consequently, the fundamental gameplay mechanics underwent significant changes compared to previous versions. In this version, aliens take the place of barbarians, victory conditions have been revamped, and the technology progression presents an innovative experience that differs from anything players have encountered before.

Although the idea was novel, it wasn’t primarily what attracted gamers to the Civilization series. Instead, they were drawn to exploring history, assuming roles of famous leaders, and immersing themselves in a more authentic setting. While there is an audience for sci-fi strategy games, it didn’t seem like fans of Sid Meier’s Civilization fell into that category. The studio then released a single expansion pack called Rising Tide, but soon shifted focus to Sid Meier’s Civilization 6. Since then, they haven’t returned to the sci-fi genre for further exploration.

Firaxis May Want to Consider Exploring the Concept Further

At present, it appears that Firaxis has no immediate intentions of revisiting the concept of Beyond Earth, as suggested by their actions since 2015’s release of Sid Meier’s Starships. This title allowed players to command a fleet within the same universe as Beyond Earth, but it received mixed reviews due to its perceived lack of depth. Instead, the studio has chosen to focus on expanding the main series rather than pursuing further sci-fi adventures. However, given the potential for a compelling narrative in this genre, it might be worth revisiting the idea.

Refining a few aspects and adjustments, “Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth” can offer an enthralling strategic journey. Gamers might embark on the voyage of a renowned civilization, traverse the cosmos as their chosen civilization, and progress through a novel chapter in history. The game would still feature aliens, distinctive planets, and other interstellar factions. However, it would retain the essence and appeal of the “Civilization” series with a fresh perspective. If executed skillfully, it could potentially launch a new spin-off series for players to engage with during mainline releases.

It’s uncertain at this point whether Firaxis will venture into a science fiction version of their popular series “Civilization” or create another spin-off in the future. For now, the team is dedicated to releasing and enhancing Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 with numerous post-launch updates and DLC packs. Here’s hoping they consider taking on a new challenge once they complete their current project. A smaller-scale sci-fi “Civilization” game could be quite intriguing.

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2025-01-13 16:04