14 DAY TRIAL // Sid Meier's Civilization V, the turn-based strategy title developed by Firaxis and published by Take Two earlier in the year, has just received version 1.0.1.135, which aims to improve the game experience while also preparing the title for the new downloadable content pack that adds two new leaders and two new nations to play as.
Quite a few of the enhancements detailed in the changelog for the new patch deal with the Artificial Intelligence of Civilization V, which has been widely criticized for its inaction and faulty strategic choices since the game was released.
The developers are saying that the computer will be better able to pursue its objectives, bribing neutral cities when trying to get a Diplomacy based victory and focusing on starship construction when trying to beat the player in the scientific race.
There are also changes to how the A.I. is approaching battles, with a bigger focus on bombarding tough targets before actually engaging them.
One of the major reasons for memory load and late game crashes, linked to the structure of the save game files, has also been addressed.
There are also a host of changes linked to buildings, meant to balance the game and make it a more competitive experience.
A more complete discussion about the patch, complete with full list of changes and some observations on what it does and does not change can be found on this thread on the official site of the game.
Those who are looking for a new challenge in Civilization V can also get their hands on the new downloadable pack that delivers Spain as a playable nation, with Isabella as the leader, and the Inca, lead by Pachacuti.
Firaxis has indicated that it will continue to deliver more civilizations and scenarios via DLC for Civilization V and past history also suggests that an expansion is being worked on, probably aiming to expand things like neutral city diplomacy and city development options.