Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword (PC Games, 2007)

It is a good expansion pack just like I expected it to be but there is basically an entire new game on it thats legit too.

Absolutely the best expansion to date for this franchise. I hesitated for quite some time about buying it, but I'm kicking myself for it now. It's all too easy to spend six hours playing the game which may or may not get you fired from your job. The added gameplay elements such as random events and espionage make the game much more realistic. The random events make the world seem a little more random rather than even as with all the other expansions. The new espionage system is much more fun to use, and actually helps when you go to war with someone. Rather than spending gold you spend your 'espionage points' which you can build along with taxes, science, and culture. The AI has also been severely improved. I had to step down a difficulty level just to stay competitive, and I still feel like I'm being beaten down. The difficulty, however, just forces the player to incorporate more of a strategy. You can no longer be at war with the world since the computer will amass stacks that not even your cannons will dent. Seeing those move across your countryside creates a feeling of fear and paranoia as to where they'll strike next. The only 'improvement' that I don't understand is the corporations. It doesn't seem to benefit anyone when a corporation spreads influence in a city. The tax screen has a column for money going to corporation maintenance, and it also drains your income tax from each of your cities. The economic government characteristic "state property" even limits the effects of corporations. Of course in a planned economy there is no room for entrepreneurship, but it must be really bad if the game gives you a way to completely block it. All in all though, a very fun expansion that will devour your free time like a child eating something children like. Remember, you aren't addicted to the game until the in-game alarm goes off and you just play through it.

This game is a fun way for my fiancee and I to interact over long distances... we play the game constantly over the internet. The game provides a great way of socializing with a purpose in mind over greater distances.

Needed the expansion to complete the game.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's certainly an improvement on Civ IV. It's just more of what you already love about Civ IV. Nothing ground breaking or revolutionary, just more of the same great stuff. At the price Beyond the Sword is going for it's defiantly worth the money. Have fun.

I was looking for this game and found it for the right price and bought it. The shipping charge was also the right price, good deal all around.