GameSpy has published their review of Civilization IV: Warlords, giving the expansion 3.5 out of 5 stars. While they are happy with the new “terrific additions” that blend in “seamlessly” with the original game, they said the expansion has a “play it safe” aura and questioned whether it’s really worth the $30 price tag. The final verdict:
In fact, the biggest problem with Warlords is simply one of value. For all the fun the scenarios, new units, and new civilizations add to the game, they simply don’t push the game far enough. The only really new gameplay element added in Warlords is the vassal state. This is a gameplay dynamic that allows a player to offer political subservience to another empire. This has already altered the face of multiplayer diplomacy as devious players use vassalage to build up interlocking national pacts, buffer states, research/big-stick alliances and much more.
Here’s the thing. There are already some pretty radical mods out there that do everything from add magic and fantasy elements to turning the world into a Star Wars battlefield. When one compares what’s available for free on the Net to what’s offered in Warlords, the question of dollar value comes to mind. People who play multiplayer will want vassalage. People who play mostly single-player games and aren’t interested in scenarios won’t find much new stuff in Warlords. At the end of the day, the expansion pack brings some great new stuff to the table. We just wish Firaxis could have taken some chances and offered us more of it.
Thanks to Silverdawn for the news tip.
Origineel Artikel: http://www.civfanatics.com/news2/fullnews.php?id=848