Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution
© 2008 2K Games
This is the first edition of the Sid Meier's Civilization series (started in 1991) to run on game consoles (PS3 and XBox 360). Note that you'll want to have a large 16:9 screen in order to play this game, which has a new look and feel from the original Windows-based version. Also, don't confuse this edition with a similarly-timed Windows remake of the Civilization game, called Sid Meier’s Civilization IV: Colonization. In this edition, you choose from 16 civilizations inspired from real history, and try to lead them to victory over the others. Leaders include fictionalized versions of Abraham Lincoln, Otto von Bismarck and Mao Tse-Tung. Keep in mind that the history depicted in these games is largely pretend, and time periods are blurred, although many of the key ideas of colonization are valid and can get children thinking and talking about key ideas like "who was Abraham Lincoln?". Also, winning the game requires an application of higher level thinking abilities, including negotiation and strategic thinking (like chess). Each time you defeat a rival civilization you can add an exhibit to your Hall of Achievements. You can combine up to three units into one army. As your units win battles, they become veterans and can win upgrades for more strength. With Xbox Live and PSN (PlayStation Network), up to four players can battle as teams, head to head, or in a free-for-all online. Developed by Firaxis Games for 2K Games. Visit (www.civilizationrevolution.com) for more information. See also Microsoft's Age of Empires.
$60, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3,
Teaches: history, logic, planning, creativity