If you're familiar w/ any of the past civilization games, I want to recommend Civ World (beta) on Facebook. The games is really well done using the social aspects in current play 4 free games on Facebook. I have even spent some money in this game, $5, total which gave me quite a few bonuses to use in game. I've completed at least 3 games on it now and I find it very satisfying and a great game to spend time on.
So, to try this on the right foot, I want to note that I went into Civ World expecting to play just like past civilization games. This is not the case. Yes, you get to build up a civilization, but the game parameters have changed. You can try to take on the world by yourself, like the retail games, but I really do not think it's a possibility. You and a few hundred people can join the same game. If each of us just had our own civilization and fought for domination, it might just be chaos. It would be fun to try once, but after that I'm sure people would get fed up. The game is created such that you create your own civilization, tailor it any way you like w/ the tech, tools, and money you have or generate, but the social aspect comes into play where you are encouraged to join an organized civilization. Civ World does not have global locations like it would in a retail game. Here you have a virtual mini civ and you can join any available organized civilization to become an influential body in that group's world dominance.
Once I joined a civilization I started to realize that you can earn ranks which lead to higher roles in the group. People who make top level move into ministry positions where you gain increased influence and power to help others in your group. The fun parts to me are the mini games. These games exist whether you are joined up or not, but you will feel, or see the benefits of joining a group because your success in completing the games helps progress your civilization.
The mini game I enjoy are related to your civ's progression in specific topics. Each civilization can work to enhance and master its status in Technology, Culture, and wealth. There is a puzzle game to grow your culture, you can complete mazes for technology and there is a mini road building obstacle course to generate gold. Sounds simple enough, but the games only allow you to make moves in each mini game based on the resources available. Your resources come from your workers in your mini civ. If you have a population of 8 people and everyone is spread out in different roles, you will only realize small gains in each component, thus you won't have many moves to use in the mini games, unless you're a master of patience. If you were to, for example, make your mini civ focused solely on technology development, then you would see tons of moves available in the mini games, but likely little to no moves in the other games.
Battles are quite hands off in comparison to the retail versions of this game. If you invade, or get invaded, the battle screen is like a game of Magic the Gathering or some table game w/ cards. Your warriors have a listed battle strength, so you either want to get the most powerful ones you can, or collect a large number of warriors to hopefully outlast your opponent. These wars are run like typical RPG games. The stronger your attacker the more chance of laying waste before it is completely spent or beaten. Some battles in the retail games can be stressful and seem to last forever. In this game mode, you just set up your cards and then let them battle automatically. You can watch, but there is not much satisfaction to it.
When you join a group civ, you want to be aware of what the group needs as a whole. You can visit anyone's mini civ to see how their town is growing and what their people are working on. If you notice that the group is doing well in technology and wealth procurement, then maybe its best if you focus on culture growth. You can always check for requirements for what is needed to win an era or the game as a whole.
There is so much to this game, but its too much to blog about. Like all past Civ games, there is a civilopedia to help players understand what is going on and how best to achieve success. I can say, this Facebook game drove me to go and buy Civ V. Luckily I got it on sale, but have been loving it. If you enjoy "builder" games, as my friend calls them, then Civ World is a great intro or light game to peruse. Otherwise, if you find this game fun but want a more expansive experience, check for a copy of any past civilization game. They are incredibly addicting.
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