Sid Meier's Civilization is one of the most popular turn-based strategy series in the history of the genre. The release of Sid Meier's Civilization V in 2010 delighted fans and gamers who appreciate the series for its moderate conservatism and desire to keep up with the times.
As before, the player begins the development of their state from ancient times, when the wheel was yet to be known, and the bow and arrows were unheard of. A small settlement, a handful of workers, a meager treasury - that’s all that is given at the initial stage. Nevertheless, as technology improves and new territories are conquered, the country grows - new cities, farms, and mines appear, infrastructure develops, bringing the state closer to a new era.
What’s new in the game? Firstly, the quadrilateral tiles have been replaced with hexagonal hexes (or honeycombs). It has become impossible to place a large number of units on the hexes - players must seek other free tiles for movement. Secondly, when expanding the country, neighboring territories can be purchased for gold. Thirdly, small nations have transformed into city-states, which become autonomous republics within the empire upon conquest. They cannot be directly controlled, but the territories yield additional gold to the treasury (tribute).
Compared to previous games in the series, Sid Meier’s Civilization V has removed religion and espionage, somewhat shortened the research tree, and prohibited technology exchanges (trade and sale have been replaced with joint technology research). Additionally, there are no natural disasters in Sid Meier’s Civilization V.
The form of government has also disappeared, but a concept of public institute has emerged. From the ten institutions presented in Sid Meier’s Civilization V, players can choose any, and nobody forces adherence to only one path of development. New directions can be studied alongside existing ones.
Over the lifetime of Sid Meier’s Civilization V, numerous DLC and expansions have been released, offering new maps, new civilizations, and peoples. Despite the original game lacking some interesting features, the expansions gradually correct this situation. For example, in the Sid Meier’s Civilization V: Gods and Kings addon, religious denominations and espionage (along with new units and rulers) re-emerged, delighting players.