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GOL Cast: Building My Empire In Civilization V

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The just-released Civilization V is a good addition to the torrent of awesome games that we Linux users have received recently. Considering how big this game is, I decided to make a video of it immediately to show you what's up!

Civilization V from Firaxis Games and ported to Linux by Aspyr Media, is turn-based strategy game that puts you in control of a civilization, which you must then guide through the times from the dawn of cities to space age. You are probably familiar with the franchise, so I don't have to go into further detail about it and if you aren't then you've been missing out.

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I can quite honestly say that this is one of the best games on Linux at the moment. Aspyr absolutely nailed the performance and it being a fully native game really shows. I get decent framerates with all the settings maxed out and the gameplay feels solid. I've only really had some graphical glitches with the terrain when a save is loaded, but that's a really minor thing and it fixed itself after a moment.

About the game, it's an awesome Civ. It's pretty easy to pickup and play even with very little experience and the game walks you through the various situations as they happen. This makes the game interesting and easy to learn, as you learn while playing the game and not through reading paragraphs of text or playing through an annoying tutorial stage.

Even though the game certainly allows you to micromanage your empire very carefully, it doesn't require messing with the small details. The game gives you advice about what buildings to build and where to set up your cities and this allows you to focus on the big picture. Alternatively you can ignore the advisors' recommendations and build the structures you deem most important and set your cities to work on certain tiles to boost production, food, wealth or science.

Overall Civilization V is an awesome experience and a good starting point for those people who haven't played Civs before. Now, go ahead and throw some money at the screen!

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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About the author -
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I'm a Linux gamer from Finland. I like reading, long walks on the beach, dying repeatedly in roguelikes and ripping and tearing in FPS games. I also sometimes write code and sometimes that includes hobbyist game development.
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26 comments
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xuwang Jun 12, 2014
Thanks for the review! Glad to hear it is working well. Did you report the minor graphical glitches? Even though minor, they seemed very interested in fixing any bugs.
Samsai Jun 12, 2014
Quoting: xuwangThanks for the review! Glad to hear it is working well. Did you report the minor graphical glitches? Even though minor, they seemed very interested in fixing any bugs.
I'll try to replicate the bug while I play more of Civ 5 this week. If I can find a way to make it happen repeatedly and nobody else reports it I will open a ticket for it on Aspyr's website.
Nezchan Jun 12, 2014
If anything, I find the performance is actually better under Linux than it was under Windows 7. I'm pretty impressed with how it came out, other than a minor difficulty in setting my resolution (which mysteriously fixed itself somehow).
Daifuku Jun 12, 2014
The game runs very nice, I didnt even notice I forgot to activate the nvidia 740 chip of my laptop.
Daifuku Jun 12, 2014
Linux full screen games still have isues when alt tabbing though.
Imants Jun 12, 2014
Quoting: DaifukuLinux full screen games still have isues when alt tabbing though.

I think it is Linux glitch I hope will be resolved when distributions will start using Wayland ore Mir.
MayeulC Jun 12, 2014
Quoting: DaifukuLinux full screen games still have isues when alt tabbing though.
It must depends on your DE. I had no issues at all (Arch, KDE)
Anonymous Jun 12, 2014
The difference between CivV and Witcher 2 shows exactly why the porting method matters and wrappers and bottles should be avoided unless absolutely necessary (which is practically never; only if source code is "lost").
HadBabits Jun 12, 2014
Quoting: KelsIf anything, I find the performance is actually better under Linux than it was under Windows 7. I'm pretty impressed with how it came out, other than a minor difficulty in setting my resolution (which mysteriously fixed itself somehow).

Keep in mind that the devs mentioned the OS X and Linux port can't max out graphics as they do in Windows.
Daifuku Jun 12, 2014
Quoting: HadBabitsKeep in mind that the devs mentioned the OS X and Linux port can't max out graphics as they do in Windows.
Plintslîcho Jun 12, 2014
Looks good. Too bad it's on Steam only.
leillo1975 Jun 12, 2014
" I've only really had some graphical glitches with the terrain when a save is loaded"

This glitches are in Windows version too. I think that this issue is normal
bryanquigley Jun 12, 2014
Quoting: leillo1975This glitches are in Windows version too. I think that this issue is normal
Indeed, I've definitely seen it in the Windows version too.

The siege unit you brought I believe could have attacked but you needed to set it up first.
Mike Jun 12, 2014
any chancw of a GOL muktiplayer?
MayeulC Jun 12, 2014
Quoting: Mikeany chance of a GOL multiplayer?
My last game took me 5 hours (I didn't want a military victory, and the DLCs were not installed yet), on the smallest map, with the fastest speed. And the difficulty was not high.
I once did a game on the biggest map... it took me nearly 6 months!
But I never played multiplayer in CIV V (only CIV II), it may be different?
Samsai Jun 12, 2014
Quoting: MayeulC
Quoting: Mikeanychance of a GOL multiplayer?
My last game took me 5 hours (I didn't want a military victory, and the DLCs were not installed yet), on the smallest map, with the fastest speed. And the difficulty was not high.
I once did a game on the biggest map... it took me nearly 6 months!
But I never played multiplayer in CIV V (only CIV II), it may be different?
Sounds about right. That game I showed you on the video took me a total of 10 hours to complete. I could have gone a bit more aggressive and finished it in possibly 7-8 hours, but I wanted the nukes and eventually went for the science victory instead of domination.
Anonymous Jun 12, 2014
Quoting: leillo1975" I've only really had some graphical glitches with the terrain when a save is loaded"

This glitches are in Windows version too. I think that this issue is normal

I agree, the terrain would sometimes load too slowly on Windows as well, where you could see textures being loaded while a map section was already visible on screen.
GoCorinthians Jun 12, 2014
Quoting: HadBabitsKelsIf anything, I find the performance is actually better under Linux than it was under Windows 7. I'm pretty impressed with how it came out, other than a minor difficulty in setting my resolution (which mysteriously fixed itself somehow).
Keep in mind that the devs mentioned the OS X and Linux port can't max out graphics as they do in Windows.
Yep. say that to Metro last light lacking only some filter, that Redux will correct as 4A said.
edo Jun 13, 2014
Civilization 4 is in my Linux library too. What does that means?
Samsai Jun 13, 2014
Quoting: edoCivilization 4 is in my Linux library too. What does that means?
Either someone made a mistake or they've been working really hard with the Civilization series. Aspyr was also behind the Mac port of Civ IV so it's not completely impossible that they would port it to Linux too, especially now that they've already gotten familiar with Linux porting. So far we haven't heard anything so don't be too hopeful.
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