Sid Meier’s Civilization V: Gods and Kings, the expansion pack for Firaxis’ Civilization V is now available for the Mac and PC in North America, and will be available internationally on June 22. The expansion adds new gameplay content and more paths to world domination, as well as enhanced diplomacy and more civilizations. Religion makes its return to the series after its removal from the series following Civilization IV.
The Firaxis-developed, Aspyr Media-ported expansion pack adds new technologies, 27 new unit types, 13 new buildings, and nine new “wonders of the world” to the core game. Nine new civilizations, with associated buildings and leaders, supplement the roster. Two new City-State classifications have been added, making diplomatic victories more varied and challenging.
Religion returns in the new expansion pack after its abstraction in the unexpanded Civilization V. The already-robust diplomacy aspect of the game has been enhanced with an embassy mechanic. As the world moves into the Renaissance era, spies can be unlocked to surveil foreign cities, steal technology, or garner influence. The Steam version of Civilization V has added the Steam Workshop, an easy tool for discovery and addition of user-modified content and scenarios.
