Recent reviews by SPECTREFLORA

Expect Civ 7 to be different from the previous titles and I imagine you'll have a much better time than a lot of the people with harsh critique against this title in the series. It's a more structured experience, designed largely to tame the snowballing effect that was, from my point of view, the flaw of previous titles. Civ 5 and 6 victories could more or less be decided in by whoever gets most strongly established in the early game. From there, a lot of the game is just playing things out knowing what the end result will be. In multiplayer particularly, it feels pointless to continue playing after a certain point. With the ages system, civ 7 offers reset points. Success in the previous age DOES matter, but by rubberbanding the scientific, economic and cultural progress gained in the previous age, it offers other players a chance to gain on the lead.

Changing civs each age is an opportunity to pivot your game plan in response to what the game has offered you. Didn't find much economic success in the previous age despite aiming for it but you were thrust into a sudden war that netted you a domination golden age? Well congratulations you are now able to change to a military civ in the exploration age if you so choose to pursue this route. It's also more historically accurate! Human culture blends and morphs over time, this is the way it's always been. We stand on the shoulders of those who lived before us in the places we exist now.

Some systems in this game have been simplified and restricted to a particular age, such as religion. It currently exists sort of as a subset of culture, a tool for you to attain a cultural golden age in the exploration age, as well as a way to gain generous bonuses of a variety of types even if you aren't pursuing a cultural golden age. Just because civ 5 and 6 chose to represent religion as a system with which to dominate the entire world doesn't mean it's a failure of civ 7 to not do the same. There is merit to having religion contained to a particular era. It helps provide a sense that each era has its own flavour and own focuses. I wouldn't be opposed to having religion still be present in the modern age but in a totally different form, however. It does seem disappointing that it disappears in relevance entirely unless you use your cultural victory points to have your religions benefits carry over.

Despite the common opinion right now, Civ 7 is a very fleshed out and thoughtfully designed game. It offers a variety of playstyles, opportunity to adapt to a changing world and plenty of variety throughout the different ages the game takes you through. I have enjoyed my 66 hours in this game thoroughly, I'm excited to play more.

Wow. WOW

What a fantastic game!!

I loved the original when it came out but this succeeds it by so many leaps and bounds I'm genuinely gobsmacked. So much content for a fast paced platformer and such fantastic art and music. This was well worth the wait.

Sonic feels good when you go fast, this game dont fast very well

A fast paced platform fighter that takes some of the best aspects of the smash brothers series and applies it's own unique twists to them. The gameplay in Rivals of Aether is rather agressive, with the defensive mechanics comprised mostly of "Don't get hit" and the new parry ability introduced in this game. Each character in this game varies widely from the last, all providing their own unique movesets and game mechanics that make the small roster feel all that much more diverse. This is a great game and I HIGHLY trying it out if you are a fan of Smash Bros. or fighting games in general.