‘Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution’

July 27, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

(2K Games) for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, DS

Genre: Strategy; Rating: E

Grade: A

If you’ve played the PC version of “Revolution,” then skip ahead, but know that the console and DS owners are going to reap the same rewards you have had by owning this Sid Meier game.

“Civilization” is one of the most popular and outstanding strategy franchises around, and porting it over to the consoles from the PC world was not only a challenge, but also a raving success for the teams at 2K and Firaxis. “Revolution” proves that complex, turn-based strategy games can thrive on consoles.

For those unfamiliar, the basis of “Revolution” is that you build an empire from scratch, using one of 16 civilizations. Once you pick your leader, it’s up to you how you decide to conquer the world. You don’t have to do it militarily; the game gives you economic, technological and cultural paths to travel as well. It gives the gameplay excellent depth.

You build and expand cities, and learn new technologies, which really drives the originality of the game. An org chart shows the various paths you can take when learning one tech versus another, and it can have dramatic impact on the course of your empire. You can form alliances with other civilizations you come across, and trading knowledge and gold will be useful when appropriate.

Of course, there are wars now and then. These can be lopsided affairs if an opponent has focused strictly on its military-industrial complex while you’ve been happily building ports and trade fairs, so be careful.

Visually the game is outstanding. As for sound, the orchestration is solid but repetitive, and the vocals are more like Sim-speak.

However you approach building your empire, there is no doubt that “Revolution” is a superb entry into the console arena for the Sid Meier franchise and hopefully this is just the beginning of more to come.

‘Guitar Hero: On Tour’

(Activision) for DS

Genre: Music; Rating: E

Grade: D

A highly suspect track list and difficult peripheral mechanics are two enormous reasons why “Guitar Hero: On Tour” will have you asking for a ticket refund.

Let’s be clear right off: I love the “Guitar Hero” franchise. Between it and “Rock Band,” my friends and I have had hours of laughter and enjoyment ripping through music that we like, and even putting up with the tracks that we don’t. “On Tour” takes nearly all of this and throws it away, and without much debate, either.

Let’s start with the guitar peripheral. It looks kinda silly, like a plastic set of brass knuckles, and once you have it strapped on to your wrist you’ll have flashbacks of Nintendo’s much-laughed-at Game Glove. The colored buttons you will instantly recognize and they make sense, I guess, but playing just isn’t even close to the fun of those campy plastic guitars the console versions have.

And do not expect the track list to get you through the carpel tunnel you are sure to develop using that wrist monstrosity. Pat Benatar, Daughtry, Smash Mouth and Maroon 5 are just a few of the bands that have no business being on here, and with only 26 songs total, you can’t avoid them. There is almost no replay value at all because some of the songs are even on past guitar-themed games.

The tracks don’t sound great, either. Headphones are a must just to get passable sound. The multiplayer options are decent but that is only if you can withstand the wrist pain long enough to enjoy them.

— Chris Campbell, Scripps Howard