Recent reviews by Mithridates Rex

I have played this game for six or more years, although Steam doesn't show this because my Steam account has refused to synchronise with my Gaijin account since 2021. I love the game's visuals, its vehicle and aircraft designs (although I prefer World of Warship's naval combat). However, I do not like the game's progression system and economic rewards. To describe it as arcane would be an understatement, and to describe it as "Free to Play" is misleading. In my more than six years of gameplay, I still have NOT reached the top tier of ANY nation. It is quite simply impossible for most normal, casual, and occasional players to progress through the tech trees, as the research rewards are minimal, and the economic ones are a joke. Compare this to other F2P games I enjoy, GAIJIN'S REWARDS 100 TIMES LESS THAN OTHER GAMES for similar tiers. Playing without premium account on War Thunder isn't really an option if you want actual rewards and progress, but even then it is highly contingent on you having an amazing team and your own performance in game. Things are so bad that mid to high tier matches end early, once the majority of players leave the match after one or two deaths. The game financially punishes you for losing any vehicle killed in a match, and often it is simply not worth continuing to fight. The highly variable repair cost of each plane/tank/ship makes it extremely easy to run up a deficit if you're having an unlucky match, or if your team is a sack of potatoes. Even if you win the battle you may still lose currency!
Until Gaijin makes the necessary changes that will allow their game to become more accessible to players not willing to spend hundreds of dollars to advance, and adjusts their in-game currency and research rewards be actual rewards, I cannot give this game a positive review--not with it currently being a constant exercise in controlling one's frustration.

I have been playing the "Sid Meier's Civilization" franchise for 20 years and I have enjoyed all of them, but this one is quickly becoming my favourite. Civ VI is beyond a doubt the most visually beautiful edition yet, with some of the most detailed and nuanced game play to date. Like all the recent Civilization games it has an amazing soundtrack, and the sixth edition benefits from great narration of Sean Bean, and a healthy dose of Monty Python quotes.
Each civilization has a unique play style and preferred victory method, but most will not punish you for playing your own way. As with all previous Civilization games, the A.I. can be frustrating to deal with at times, and vexing with its behaviour. Glitches for Civ VI are extremely rare in my experience, compared to past iterations.
The expansions add to the dynamic of the game, and the recent addition of weather patterns, global warming effects, sea level changes, and natural disasters greatly improve the game. Now more than ever your actions can have a tremendous impact on the world, your neighbours, and your civilization as a whole.
Civilization VI is the most detailed, finely crafted edition of the franchise to date, and you can lose yourself in games that may last you days. Invite your friends, and compete for world domination in more ways than ever before.

I've been muddling around in this game for a long time and I enjoy it immensely, as I get sucked into sandbox games. There are many things I still need to explore and master, and there are some limitations about the practicality of a few things I've attempted to build. I've constructed fleets of Federation Starships, Imperial Star Destroyers, Rockets, Space Planes, and a full-sized flying city named "Atlantis" in true Stargate-style that I am testing for planetary landings and star system exploration.
If you go crazy with building projects like I do, this game is for you.

Endless possbilities, hours of fun, whether your empire is aggressive and expansively large, or a merely a small kingdom of cultural wealth. I look forward to the upcoming patches and successive expansions.