Civilization: Beyond Earth - Rising Tide Review Roundup

Rising Tide, the first expansion for Civilization sci-fi spinoff Beyond Earth, is out today, and we've rounded up some of the first reviews for you to peruse.

Rising Tide's primary new feature involves the ability to settle cities on water tiles, where they can then be (slowly) moved. It also expands the diplomacy system, adds new traits for the various leaders, and introduces new biomes and units that attempt to provide that sci-fi feel that Beyond Earth lacked.

You can find a sampling of reviews below, and head over to GameSpot sister site Metacritic for even more.

• Game: Civilization: Beyond Earth - Rising Tide
• Developer: Firaxis Games
• Platforms: PC, Mac
• Release Date: October 9
• Price: $30

GameSpot -- 9/10

"Rising Tide brings other content to Beyond Earth as well, from new factions to new planet types. But these additions pale in comparison to the systemic changes Firaxis has made. There are bothersome issues with the new diplomacy approach, and some of these mechanics are too obfuscated to call excellent. But Rising Tide encourages new ways of thinking, and lends character to a very impersonal subject. That old Civilization mantra still echoes, just like it used to: One more turn." - Mike Mahardy [Full review]

Rock, Paper, Shotgun

"The new aliens'n'ocean stuff is thoughtful and entertaining, pushing the sci-fi further and helping Beyond Earth take much-needed strides away from Civ V, building it at last into a game you have to figure out rather than just go through the motions with. It still comes up short on character compared to the best Civs and, of course, Alpha Centauri, but it's without doubt less anodyne than before. Diplomacy, however, seems to me like a significant misfire even without the bugs--the question of your place in this new world, and in relation to your rivals, remains unresolved. I suspect Beyond Earth's road to recovery has only just begun." - Alec Meer [Full review]

PC Gamer -- 73/100

"Rising Tide doesn't turn Beyond Earth into a whole new game. Expect that, and you'll be disappointed. It does however move it closer to what it should have been, with its understanding of some of the big problems helping to at least soften the blow of their lingering disappointment first time around. It's the expansion it needed to do first, both in terms of building on the game if you are in the mood for more, and showing that the series has the right course in mind." - Richard Cobbett [Full review]

IGN -- 7.1/10

"Rising Tide is a well-crafted expansion with some great ideas: the new diplomacy system is a marvel of strategy game design, and artifacts and hybrid affinities serve to reinvigorate the late game with new bonuses and tactics. But unfortunately, the biggest issue facing Beyond Earth is its lack of variation from game to game, and that remains unaddressed. After just a few games, I already feel like I've seen most of what it has to offer." - T.J. Hafer [Full review]

Shacknews

"When I first played Beyond Earth last year, I knew that the game had a lot of unrealized potential that a few expansions would fix, and Rising Tide certainly proves that. Sea colonies open up whole new strategies for expanding an empire. One that isn't restricted by mountains, deserts, or whatever other obstacles the alien landscape has to offer. You'll still have to defend against a host of sea monsters, but it's a risk worth taking. Even the new diplomacy system feels like stumbling step in the right direction. I wouldn't go so far as to say that Beyond Earth fully captures the feel of the Earthbound Civilization games yet, but Rising Tide makes for a far better game than the original." - Steven Wong [Full review]

PC World

"A few of my complaints from last year remain--the user interface could still use some beautification and the tech web is borderline impenetrable for first-time players. But Firaxis has made some smart choices with Rising Tide. It's starting to distinguish itself from Civilization V finally, and not just in terms of the way units look. Playing Rising Tide--especially on a water-heavy map--feels appreciably different from previous Civ games." - Hayden Dingman [Full review]

Game Informer -- 9/10

"Rising Tide is an overhauled look at the core experience, and it would be difficult to go back to Beyond Earth without the myriad enhancements the expansion offers. As with Civilization V before it, Beyond Earth looks like it's becoming all it can be as it evolves with these upgrades." - Daniel Tack [Full review]