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Civilization: Beyond Earth – Rising Tide, the expansion pack for Firaxis Games’ sci-fi strategy title, introduces significant changes to the core gameplay and offers a deeper, more engaging experience. Originally released as a DLC in October 2015, Rising Tide builds upon the foundation of Beyond Earth, adding new features that significantly alter strategic approaches and offer a fresh perspective on extraterrestrial colonization.

Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth – Rising Tide Gameplay

Oceanic Gameplay Overhaul

Rising Tide shifts the focus of colonization from land to the vast oceans of the alien planet. This transition brings a dynamic new dimension to the game, reminiscent of titles like Submarine Titan and Anno 2070. The ability to build and develop cities on the water fundamentally changes strategic considerations. No longer are landmasses the sole focus of expansion. Workers can now venture into the ocean, constructing offshore platforms, harvesting resources, and establishing new trade routes. This expanded reach opens up new avenues for resource acquisition and strategic positioning.

Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth – Rising Tide Ocean Cities

Naval units gain increased importance, capable of traversing the map freely and striking deep within enemy territory, paving the way for amphibious assaults. This enhanced naval power makes Domination victories more challenging and dynamic, with battles taking place across the entire map.

The introduction of alien sea creatures further enriches the gameplay. Players can encounter and even tame these creatures, adding powerful units like the Kraken to their naval forces. This adds a new layer of strategic depth, allowing players to choose between focusing on human military units (Purity affinity) or harnessing the power of the indigenous lifeforms for a more hybrid approach.

Customizable Traits and Diplomacy

Unlike previous Civilization games where leaders had fixed traits, Rising Tide introduces a customizable trait system based on diplomacy points. These points can be invested in a wide array of bonuses across three categories: Science, Military, and Economy. This provides players with greater flexibility in shaping their civilization’s development, allowing them to tailor their strategy to their preferred playstyle. Careful planning and allocation of these diplomatic bonuses can provide significant advantages over AI opponents.

Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth – Rising Tide Diplomacy Screen

Shortcomings and Challenges

Despite its many improvements, Rising Tide is not without its flaws. The AI, while functional, hasn’t seen significant improvements over the base game, potentially making the game feel easier even on higher difficulty settings. Unit balance also presents some issues, requiring careful consideration of technology upgrades to avoid creating ineffective military forces. The complexity of the new systems, including the customizable traits and expanded technology tree, can be overwhelming for newcomers to the series.

Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth – Rising Tide Alien Units

Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth – Rising Tide City View

Conclusion

Civilization: Beyond Earth – Rising Tide is a substantial expansion that breathes new life into the game. The shift to oceanic gameplay, the introduction of customizable traits, and the addition of alien sea creatures create a significantly different and more engaging experience. While some minor issues remain, the overall improvements make Rising Tide a worthwhile addition for fans of the series and strategy game enthusiasts looking for a fresh challenge.