Perhaps no video game better exemplifies the relativity of time than the Civilization series. When there are just three turns left until you finish the Hagia Sophia or enter a new era, they pass almost instantly, dismissed with the click of a button.

+Superb culture system

-Unrealised diplomacy

The second expansion of Civilization V not only adds new content, but reinvents some of the fundamental mechanics.

Playstyles finally balanced; Increased interactivity; Brilliantly designed scenarios; Much improved interaction between nations

Unreasonably hardware demanding; Somewhat inept AI

This is the most fun I've had with Civilization since Civ IV, and the best late-game since Civ II. Brave New World is the rare case of a title delivering exactly what it promises.

Great new mechanics and features; Much greater diversity in play styles; Exciting endgame

Chugging performance; AI needs to vote smarter at World Congress

Civilization V has always had a problem: most of the fun is front-loaded. Finding your place in the world is the height of the game's enjoyment, and the feeling you get when you build your first ocean-faring vessel--breaking into the dark blue and seeing what else is out there in the world--is...

New mechanics are well integrated with old ones; Additions help create better mid-game content; Revamped Trade Routes change game for the better

Some new elements can be difficult to understand at first; Late game still isn't as interesting as exploration; Losing a few hundred more hours

Brave New World fulfills Civilization V's full potential, and stands as one of the most expertly crafted strategy games in years.

Gameplay updates help balance different play styles; New mechanics build upon previous games and expansions; Scenarios are great twists to the standard; open-ended play; Brilliantly irresistable gameplay; New AI tweaks take advantage of refined victory conditions

Not all content from previous expansion is included

This expansion goes a long way towards ironing out some of the kinks in Civ 5. There are still some issues, but I will probably sink more hours into this game than I care to admit.

A classic gets better and better. Love the improved graphics and playing options.

A great, addictive game

Highly detailed; addictive gameplay

Can be slow to begin with

It can't be easy for a long-running game series to stay fresh after 19 years and several iterations of one general idea, yet Civilization has managed remarkably well. Through its first four versions, the quintessential PC strategy game has evolved from a habit-forming time-waster into a colorful and...

Addictive as ever; Some excellent game-play additions

Feels far more simplistic and less rich than previous Civilization titles; Changes to major mechanics will require significant readjustment time for veterans

Gods and Kings adds a lot to Civ 5: religion; espionage; proper naval combat; new civs, units & buildings; a redesigned tech tree (and, to a lesser extent, the social policy tree); and improved AI.

Improves everything; Religion works very well; Loads of new stuff

AI is still a bit dense; Espionage is flimsy