Two more previews of Civilization V

[Robert]

1up and Gamespot both post first previews of civ 5.
Both previews are more or less writing about the same topics we've seen before. There is a little bit of information in both articles that hasn't been uncovered yet. There are no new screenshots in these previews either.

1up tells us that barbarians and city states will have tech trees on their own. The way 1up talks about barbarians is as if barbarians are like city states, except that there's no diplomacy with them.

You can read the 1up preview right here

The Gamespot preview walks us through a demo game given by Firaxis. During the journey some new kinds of information are given.
Gamespot reveals that city states, like civilizations, have a nature of their own as well. A militaristic city state can benefit your civilization in example by giving you free warriors every few turns.

Leaders will appear in their current environment and can be seen walking through the room, "smiling (or frowning), gesticulating, and speaking his or her native language."

When for the sake of the demo war has been declared upon the Americans (General(!) Washington), we read how units get the civ 5 style of promotions: "units that survive various skirmishes will eventually grow in power and may be able to select various bonuses to increase their usefulness and survivability."
The preview continues to describe a multi-battle war agains the Americans which is written in a very imaginary way. Archers are good for weakening the enemies front lines but are very vulnerable themselves.

The article ends with informing us that the cutting of religion was not for nothing. More new features are planned.

Read the Gamespot story right here