Herocraft has released an update to their Revival game for mobile handsets, and I had some time to get to know the S60v3 version. It is available today for $5.80, available for S60v3 handsets for $15.95 and if you’re addicted to Civilization on your PC (like I am) then I really think you’ll get into Revival on your mobile handset. The application is simple, with decent graphics and only slightly annoying music. The game is designed for portrait mode, and unless you’re going to use a bluetooth keyboard, you can’t really switch to landscape and continue playing, as the game makes use of the numeric keypad.
Revival comes with a great little tutorial that helps explain why and how to do things in the game. It’s really rather complex, and I highly suggest going through the tutorial, especially if you’ve not played Civilization on your PC before. The tutorial has a bit of reading, but it’s setup like a conversation between you and your teacher, and the dialog is humorous, so it’s not bad to skim through at all.
Once you learn how to play Revival, it’s very easy to get lost in it. The graphics are nothing stellar, but it makes up for that in gameplay. You are required to build your city up, and slowly progress through the history books in terms of the types of units you are able to ‘train’ and the buildings you build. One thing that I really enjoy about Revival is that every time you play the game, it’s a different experience. Enemies act differently, the map changes, etc. It’s like getting a whole new game.
Revival on S60v3 offers the ability to save your game at any point, which is a must for this type of turn-based strategy game. I will warn you, this is not the type of game you can simply pick up and get right into. The beginning rounds are completely uneventful, mainly consisting of your main character walking around ‘exploring’ and your city building and training new buildings and units. However, once you’ve played for a bit, the excitement begins and you’ll be hooked.
You can purchase a full license of the game here (it’s only $5.80), but I was able to get 3 license codes from HeroCraft to give away to readers. To be eligible for the drawing, leave a comment on this post stating whether you prefer intensive games like this, or more casual ‘pick up and play’ games on your mobile. The contest will be closed as of 4:00 PM CST on Wednesday, January 30th, and I will randomly choose three commenters who will be notified via email.
Both… I’ll be playing something intensive when I have the time while i wait for my doctors appointment which was scheduled for 50 minutes ago, but if I’m in the line at the bank then it’ll be something quick and dirty. The only thing is it has to be fun… and that cuts out a lot of whats out there.
Oh, I love ‘Civ’.
If it is as well done as civilization on pc, it could be a great game. I should try.
To answer the contest, I like both kind of game, ‘pick up and play’ for everyday’s travel or pause and intensive games for long travels or waits.
WoW!!! I couldn’t beleive when I saw this. I am a HuGe Civilization freak, I played Civ III on my PC during whole summer and winter breaks, from morning till evening :D, with every single civilization there was :D, and then came Civ IV which occupied me even more :D. I can’t wait to have it on my 5700!
Regards from Serbia!
personally i play both intensive games that take some thinking (when i have nothing better to do) and also pick up and play games (my current favorite being tower blox)
a true gamer at heart!
i also like more slowly and time taking games. I bet i could easily get into this, will probably need to buy it. Thx for tip, didint even know theres this kinda games for phone!
i love civ. I would like to see a multiplayer version of ala civ 4
I like intensive games like Civ. Actually I’d love to see a version of the original Civilization (the 2D version) for smartphone, any platform.
Nothing says intensive like playing Civilization via email on the pc with a mate. As for phone, i enjoy casual short time consuming games for filling the void during the day, like when waiting for a train or lunch break.
Even just bouncing a ball with the accelerometer is great for a few minutes distraction.
I love slow strategy games, even on my cell phones! Finally, some real strategy on my n95-3!
I love civ and will definitely try this game.
For the contest: I like intensive games in general, but in a platform like mobile phone, I prefer ‘pick up and play’ games, like Puzzle Quest.
I definitely plan to get this game. I prefer intensive games. I’ve recently been addicted to Tibiame. However, the link to this game says it was released in October 2005. And it says the platform is java. Has the s60 version already been released or is that still coming soon? When I go to the game page from the main Herocraft site, it still says coming soon.
On my mobile, I have always played the short pick & play kind of games. I haven’t seen any “intensive” games yet (Any good ones out there? Obviously Chess doesn’t count :)
On my PC, I used to play Civ a looooot back in my school / college days. I liked Heroes as well (not as much as Civilization but very engaging).
I would love to try Civ on my mobile sometime. I concur with Dan above. I hope someone ports all those games to mobile.
Sri
Current device: N95-8GB
Actually the S60v3 version is $15.95. I believe $5.80 is the Java version. I linked the smartphone page here — just click on my name. It has S60, S60v3, UIQ, etc versions.
The contest is closed and winners will be notified via email.
Thanks, Tony, for clarifying the pricing.
*crosses fingers*
hopefully i get it…but prob wont >.<