The Civilization series of games has been around since 1991, and are loosely related to a board game of the same name. In the game, the player is one of several world leaders at the dawn of history. With only a settler and an accompanying unit, the player settles their first city and begins to develop their nation. Because of the intense variability in the games, the Civ series is remember as engaging and often addictive ("just... one... more... turn...").
Civ V is the latest iteration of the series which has seen itself develop in new and interesting ways. Civ IV in particular introduced the notion of religion as a gameplay mechanic that - while, at times, unrealistic - added depth into gameplay. The fourth game also introduced culture as a methodology of expanding ones' borders and influencing a neighboring city to join your robust country than another leader's lackluster one.
The full review is after the jump...
