Civilization V Official Strategy Guide (Bradygames Official Strategy Guides)

This book is basically a rewrite of the included (free) civilopedia which comes with the game. It describes all the items and empires in the game, along with basic game strategy-- all of which is included with the game already. Maybe you might want a printed civilopedia, rather than viewing in-game, and then, maybe you could find a use for this. If you're looking for a guide on how to actually play better, or you know, STRATEGY, look elsewhere, like on forums or whatever, because this won't tell you anything, in a game that is RIPE for help-- with lots of obvious questions that remained unanswered after reading this book.

It's like they didn't even play the game, just looked at the civilopedia and a thesaurus, and wrote this book.

Boo. Save your $.

Reviewer Cory pretty much summed up everything I would have pointed out: It's like having a colorful, printed version of everything already mentioned in-game. Would have been nice to see some actual strategy included in this book, e.g. what Civs/buildings that will yield your desired victory, strategies for certain maps-types, how to fix your tactical blunders without having to start a new game, etc.

I know the only way to be good at a game like this is to become a better tactician through extended thought/practice--something just reading a guide can't give you--but this book is still a big disappointment. :\

I have played all five plus versions of Civilization (including Alpha Centauri, Alien Crossfire, Colonization, several different versions of Civilization II, including one involving dinosaurs, Civ III Play the World & Conquests, Civ IV Warlords & Beyond the Sword and the disaster known as Civilization: Call to Power). I have read the strategy guides for all five versions of Civilization (Civilization, Civ II, Civ III, Civ IV and Civ V). This one is the first one that really analyzes the different civilizations and provides real insight into how to play, or defend against each. The other four only provided basic strategy and no real insight on how to improve from being good to being great.

The book starts out by explaining most of the options one has to choose before starting the game. Then it explains the basic mechanics of how to play the game. The book also explains the differences between Civ IV and Civ V. Next it give a very good description of the strengths...Read more