Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth
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About Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth
Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth dropped in late 2014 from Firaxis Games as a sci-fi spinoff of the classic strategy franchise. This title shifts the focus from ancient Earth to a distant alien planet where humanity fled after our own world collapsed. You command an expedition colony tasked with rebuilding civilization from scratch among hostile environments and strange lifeforms. The game supports single-player and multiplayer modes across PC, Linux, and Mac platforms. Instead of managing historical nations, you guide factions through terraforming challenges while researching futuristic tech trees. The core premise involves selecting a sponsor to define your culture before setting foot on the new world.
Gameplay
You spend most of your time managing city growth and resource allocation on a hex-based map. Each turn requires you to move units across rugged terrain, build infrastructure like hydroponic farms or orbital stations, and negotiate with local alien wildlife. Combat feels distinct here because enemies adapt to your tactics rather than following standard military rules. You must balance scientific progress with political alignment as your chosen path dictates how your society evolves. Building wonders takes significant time but offers powerful bonuses that define your victory conditions. Multiplayer matches can stretch for dozens of hours as you race against other players to secure the planet's resources or dominate through diplomatic or military means.
What Players Think
The PlayPile community rates this title at 76.5 out of 100 based on 114 user reviews. Players report an average playtime that often exceeds standard strategy expectations due to the complex diplomacy systems. Only 14.1% of achievements unlock on average, with the rarest accomplishment "Fortune and Glory" claimed by less than one percent of users. Community moods lean toward appreciation for the deep mechanics despite some criticism regarding the learning curve. Many players return to multiplayer sessions specifically to test different faction combinations. The game currently sits at a historical low price of $4.49 on WinGameStore, making it an attractive option for those willing to invest time in its strategic layers.
PlayPile's Take
This strategy entry works best for veterans who enjoy deep management systems and don't mind steep difficulty spikes. The achievement system provides long-term goals that keep sessions fresh even after the main campaign ends. At $4.49, the value proposition is strong compared to modern releases, though the lack of modern interface quality might frustrate newcomers. You should play this if you want a single-player experience focused on building a society rather than just winning battles. Avoid it if you prefer fast-paced action or simple turn-based interactions without heavy resource micromanagement. The rare achievements suggest hidden depths worth exploring for completionists willing to grind.
Game Modes
Single player, Multiplayer
IGDB Rating
76.5
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