Sid Meier's Civilization V: Gods and Kings DLC

Uninstall take two SPYware

Not too happy with 2k.

Sometimes I want to be a GOD! and sometimes I want to be KING JAMES the 23rd

Sid Meier’s Civilization V: Gods & Kings is more than just a content pack—it’s a strategic reawakening. For players on Steam, especially those who thrive on micromanagement and long-term planning, this expansion rekindles the thrill of discovery, belief, and subtle manipulation. It reshapes the Civilization formula without compromising what makes the franchise iconic: thoughtful pacing, layered decision-making, and the satisfaction of seeing your civilization bloom over centuries. 🛕 The Return of Faith: More Than Just a Stat The most standout addition—and one that players repeatedly praise—is the religion system. What begins as a humble tribal belief can evolve into a sweeping world religion, tailored through custom doctrines and perks. This mechanic isn’t just flavor; it gives early-game choices real weight, and in multiplayer, adds a whole new type of rivalry. You’re not just fighting for land anymore—you’re vying for spiritual dominance. Players frequently comment that this system turns otherwise forgettable stretches of the early game into vibrant, meaningful phases of growth. 🕶️ Espionage: Intrigue in the Shadows Gods & Kings also introduces a spy network. While this mechanic isn’t as hands-on as some hoped, it still adds a useful strategic tool. Spies can pilfer tech, stir city-state politics, or uncover the ambitions of rivals. While not universally loved, this layer of “cloak and dagger” is appreciated for the quiet tension it introduces—especially in the modern era when diplomacy grows razor-thin. 🏛️ City-States, Now With More Personality Previously, city-states were mostly “side quests with a flag.” But with Gods & Kings, these mini-nations gain depth. They now issue quests with real impact, creating more incentive for long-term alliances. Some top Steam reviewers note that managing these relationships is almost a metagame of its own—where maintaining influence can turn the tide of diplomatic or cultural victories. ⚔️ Smarter Combat, Richer Choices Combat gets a subtle yet significant rework. Health systems are now more granular, battles are longer and more strategic, and naval warfare is finally something to care about. Players who enjoy war-heavy playstyles often highlight these tweaks as game-changers. Naval battles, once an afterthought, become key in certain maps. And the pacing of military campaigns now feels more deliberate and engaging. 🗺️ Fresh Faces, Fresh Stories Nine new civilizations enter the fray, each designed with unique quirks that beg for creative strategies. Whether it’s the defensive prowess of Byzantium or the espionage edge of Austria, these new factions are more than reskins—they reshape the way you think about victory. Combined with new wonders and tech paths, the expansion greatly expands replay value. ⚠️ The Weak Links Still, not everything in this expansion is gold-plated. The espionage system, while thematically cool, is fairly passive—more numbers game than tactical thrill. AI behavior, a consistent gripe across Civ V, sees minor improvement but can still derail into unpredictability or unwarranted aggression. A few Steam reviewers also mention that the religious victory path, while engaging, becomes repetitive over multiple playthroughs. 🧭 Final Thoughts Gods & Kings doesn’t revolutionize Civilization V—but it refines it. It smooths out the base game’s rougher edges and introduces systems that let players build more personalized, intricate empires. Religion, espionage, and diplomacy are now more meaningful, helping every playthrough feel distinct. For fans of the franchise—or newcomers looking to experience Civ V at its fullest—this expansion is well worth the investment. Final Rating: 8.5/10 A thoughtful, content-rich expansion that adds weight and soul to Civilization V, with just a few missed opportunities holding it back from a perfect score. If you liked my attempt at making a professional review of this game, please leave a like for this review and if you think I should continue doing professional game reviews, then click on "Award" in the bottom right corner. Thank you!

This, and the Brave New World DLC add so much to the base game, to the point where it feels weird to play base game without them.

Take-Two and 2K games have updated all their games Terms of Service, turning this game as well as all of their other games into literal spyware. Important Info in Terms of Service: • Mods are a bannable offense • Display of Cheats/Exploits is bannable • Forced arbitration clause and a waiver of class action and jury trial rights for all users residing in the United States and any other territory other than Australia, Switzerland, The United Kingdom, or The Territories of The European Economic Area • You can be banned for using a VPN while connecting to online servers • Cannot access game content on a Virtual PC Collected Data Types: • Identifiers / Contact Information: Name, user name, gamertag, postal and email address, phone number, unique IDs, mobile device ID, platform ID, gaming service ID, advertising ID (IDFA, Android ID) and IP address • Protected Characteristics: Age and gender • Commercial Information: Purchase and usage history and preferences, including gameplay information • Billing Information: Payment information (credit / debit card information) and shipping address • Internet / Electronic Activity: Web / app browsing and gameplay information related to the Services; information about your online interaction(s) with the Services or our advertising; and details about the games and platforms you use and other information related to installed applications • Device and Usage Data: Device type, software and hardware details, language settings, browser type and version, operating system, and information about how users use and interact with the Services (e.g., content viewed, pages visited, clicks, scrolls) • Profile Inferences: Inferences made from your information and web activity to help create a personalized profile so we can identify goods and services that may be of interest • Audio / Visual Information: Account photos, images, and avatars, audio information via chat features and functionality, and gameplay recordings and video footage (such as when you participate in playtesting) • Sensitive Information: Precise location information (if you allow the Services to collect your location), account credentials (user name and password), and contents of communications via chat features and functionality.