Civilization: Beyond Earth Becomes Waterworld In Rising Tide Expansion

Civilization: Beyond Earth is back, packing a brand new aquatic expansion in the shape of Rising Tide. As the name suggests, Civilization: Beyond Earth - Rising Tide expands the remits of Firaxis’ 4X strategy game, allowing players to build floating settlements and colonise the high seas. Additional natural resources will be accessible beneath its murky depths, although you’re going to have to contend with the dangerous alien beasts who call this place home.

It’s not just water-lovers who are being catered to with Rising Tide either, the expansion pack will provide a dramatic overhaul of the diplomacy systems. The new systems will stack on top of what was already in place in the base game, allowing players to upgrade traits, utilising the strengths of your allies and boosting interactions with AI partners.

Long-time players will be pleased to note four new factions getting rolled out, the first of which is Al Falah, nomadic explorers descended from wealthy Middle Eastern states. This is joined by a new Artifact System, whereby alien relics can be collected from around the planets, before being combined in order to unlock powerful new benefits.

Two biomes are also being introduced, including Primordial world, a chaotic landscape filled with volcanic activity. As you’d expect there’s also a host of upgrades and units, this time based on hybrid affinities.

"Rising Tide builds upon the lore of Beyond Earth, breaking away the historical boundaries of the original franchise and furthering mankind's search for a new home in outer space," said Sid Meier, director of creative development at Firaxis Games. "Whether colonizing the planet's oceans, acquiring new Affinities or meeting exotic new leaders, aliens and units for the first time, Rising Tide offers more ways for players to write their own stories on a new world."

Civilization: Beyond Earth is out in Autumn this year, on PC.