Sid Meier's Civilization is the definitive "empire building" game that is one of the most popular games of all time which is still spawning new editions to the market and this time, owners of the DS can now experience this popular franchise.

Features

• CHOOSE YOUR CIV - Choose from 16 Civilizations throughout history (from Africa to Germany to America to China) to lead to victory. Each time you defeat a rival civilization you'll add an exhibit to your Hall of Achievements paying homage to your great accomplishments. With so many Civs and Leaders to play, you'll have a new and exciting experience with every game.

• LEAD YOUR CIV - When you choose a Civ play as one of the world's most famous historical leaders (like Abe Lincoln, Otto von Bismarck, and Mao Tse Dong) and compete against the other leaders as you strive to create your own history in this epic game. Each leader will have 4 special abilities giving their Civ unique advantages throughout the ages.

• REAL-TIME INTERACTION - Leaders and advisors will actively communicate with you - even turning and pointing to things in the world as they speak - making the interactions more realistic and engaging than ever before.

• EXPLORE THE WORLD - Your quest to explore and discover will have you traversing the globe in search of long lost relics, rival civs, technologies, barbarians and much more.

• FAST-PACED ACTION - Accessible maps and streamlined time scale will deliver quicker games and constant action.

• INTENSE COMBAT - Triple your strength by combining up to three units into one powerful army and destroy your enemies. When your units win tough battles, they will become veterans and then elites. You can then choose from a list of powerful upgrades that will give elite units even more strength to dominate in war. Your Army will wear a distinct uniform representing your Civilization, so you will easily see them on the screen as you lead them into battle.

In its essence, it is a turn-based game that allows gamers to take control of a nation and build it into an empire. Even though Firaxis Games have taken out certain parts of the franchise to make it more "portable" friendly, they have done a remarkable job which still retains the magic that allows you to play portable Civilization.

For those unaware of the franchise, you must first build your city and also macro control almost every facet of this city from food to trade which also brings in a variety of technological advancements. As you progress, you are given a variety of more and more units to build, whether they are diplomatic in nature, militaristic or for the benefit of mankind.

Gamers also have the choice of selecting one of 16 different civilizations as you start in the stone age and move towards the modern area, however you must meet a certain type of objective in the game which include cultural, economic, technological and domination. The beauty of the title is that each civilization is different as is your path to victory which means you can play this game almost indefinitely.

You also need to keep in mind your neighbours who may be hostile, neutral or friendly, so that means you need to create an army to ensure that your lands and people are protected.

These neighbors may also be allies and will trade with your people and a variety of other realistic options. There are also some "Easter Eggs" in the game which must be discovered through your explorations which will benefit your people and does add a unique spin to the Civilization mythos.

Combat is like the Civilization of old that is turn based and generally the most powerful or experienced unit to some extent will often succeed, needless to say... quite entertaining and strategic at times. If this sounds a little too much for you at the present, fortunately the game has advisors who give you some advice on your tactics. Sometimes helpful too! 

Online play? With friends? You betcha! Civilization Revolution on the DS features both these and is actually quite impressive online, although finding a sparing partner is a different story.

Graphically, the title may not be as impressive as the XBox 360 version so to say, however for the Nintendo DS it is quite impressive with colourful graphics and cartoon animated advisors that make the game an enjoyable experience.

It actually suits the console perfectly, especially with the stylus which makes the gameplay a breeze. Sound wise, the series has never been too strong in this aspect but it contains enough sounds and music to keep your pleasantly surprised, although repetitive at the best of times.

In conclusion, Firaxis Games have truly created the ultimate "portable" version of Civilization that features strong gameplay, good graphics and sometimes mediocre to good sound which will definitely win new fans and also the hearts of existing fans.

It may be portable but you may be locked up in your room for days, weeks and months playing this exciting turn based game. And at $59.95 RRP, there's little to complain about a game that offers so much!