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We preview the upcoming console real-time strategy game!

Sid Meier is credited with creating the Civilization series, by far the most popular, and most addicting turn-based strategy games made. What many do not realize, however, is that he hasn’t been hands-on with the series since the first installment. That’s right, the first. His studio, Firaxis, has handled the game for quite some time now, but he's been more in the background. Until now.

Real-time strategy games have had a hard time on consoles, and the mere thought of a turn-based seems almost illogical. But that's what Firaxis has in mind with Revolutions. Slated for cross-platform release on the 360 (the version I played) the PS3, the Wii, and the DS (that's right, the same game too) Revolutions will try to succeed where many others have failed. And it looks like they have a shot.

First off, the folks at 2K wanted to make it very clear that this is not Civ 5. They wouldn't comment on Civ 5's existence, either. Still, this is a different game but one built only for consoles. As Jason from 2K said, "It's about expanding the audience." To do that, the game needs to be visually appealing. Most people who have next-gen (really current gen now, right?) consoles have HDTV's and want their games to show them off. Civilization is a great series, but not one that was drew oohs and ahhs from players for the graphics.

Revolutions changes all that. From the early build I played, and Jason said it was early, the graphics jumped out, from the map itself to the characters that pop up on the screen. Maybe it's not the most gorgeous game I've seen on the 360, it is by far the most gorgous Civ, and by a wide margin. The animations are also fantastic, at least when you encounter an enemy leader. Greywolf actually pulls himself up from the bottom of the screen like he is reaching the top of a plateau. Cleopatra is quite hot.

None of this would matter, of course, if the gameplay wasn't there. This is without a doubt a Civ game, and from the simple build I played, all the elements are there. Controlling with the 360 controller was slightly quirky at first but it didn't take long for me to get used to it, and actually like it. Navigation was good, and I expect that even when the whole map is exposed, it should maintain its simplicity.

The throne room has been brought back, far different than it used to be but pretty cool. It was something I always liked in the early games. Artifacts are back too, but direct influence on gameplay. Finding the Knights Templar in the demo made my one unit turn into three.

XBox Live will be supported and 2K has come up with a great way to handle leaderboards. Because of the random nature of the maps, someone could get an easy map and take the leaderboard. Instead, they will implement a 'Game of the Week' a downloadable map that will be used for competition. Good idea.

When asked about the Wii and DS, Jason said Firaxis was not going for any gimmicks with the controls, and there will be no senseless mini-games to take away from the main one. I asked if there were any development issues with the different consoles, and he said they all have their quirks but nothing major.

The game looks great, and I am looking forward to playing it when it comes out Spring 2008 (so far it is on schedule).