The 7 Key New Features of Rising Tide, the Expansion Pack for Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth

Article by George Norman (Cybersecurity Editor)

on 12 Oct 2015

Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth, the addictive turn-based strategy game released back in 2014, just got an expansion pack. Called Rising Tide, the expansion pack greatly extends the Beyond Earth experience by introducing oceanic gameplay and more.

Watch the Rising Tide launch trailer below, keep reading to find out what key new features the expansion pack introduces.



“After the launch of Beyond Earth, we were excited to hear our fans wanted us to further extend the science-fiction experience in this alien world,” said Sid Meier, director of creative development at Firaxis Games. “In Rising Tide, fans will enjoy seeing much of their feedback taken to heart through a series of new features, varied terrains and exciting new diplomatic options that offer new choices for players as they secure the fate of humanity on a strange world.”


Rising Tide – Key New Features


1. Oceanic Gameplay

Until now, you couldn’t colonize the ocean. Now you can! The hidden treasures hidden beneath the seas are ready to be discovered. Floating settlements can be built on the ocean. Alien beasts with unique capabilities inhabit the planet’s seas and are ready to challenge you.

“The ocean also provides a fully replayable map, new gameplay mechanics and strategic possibilities for players to reign supreme on their new world,” explained 2K and Firaxis Games in a press release.

2. Dynamic Leader Traits

As you play the game, you’ll get to unlock new Traits and you’ll have to activate different combinations to respond to the changing world. Rising Tide’s dynamic Traits offer various benefits and add to a new Diplomacy system that is based on new Fear and Respect attributes.

3. Diplomatic Capital

Diplomatic Capital is a new kind of currency that you earn through trade agreements. Diplomatic Capital can be used to upgrade your leader’s Traits, to swap out your leader’s existing Traits and buy new ones, to change diplomatic Relationships and leverage the benefits of allies’ Traits.

4. New Leaders and Factions

Rising Tide comes with a total of 4 new leaders and factions – Arshia Kishk of Al Falah, Duncan Hughes of the North Sea Alliance, Lena Ebner of INTEGR and Han Jae Moon of Chungsu are included.

Speaking about leaders, it’s worth noting that you can view how much leaders fear or respect you and you can see how warm or cool they are toward your colony. It’s also worth noting that alongside snarky remarks, leaders give you useful advice from time to time.

5. New Artifact System

There are lots of artifacts to be uncovered. Find powerful artifacts and combine them into groups of three to unlock new perks, unit upgrades, Wonders, and buildings.

6. Hybrid Affinities

Until now, your society could take one of three paths: Purity, Supremacy, and Harmony. The Rising Tide expansion pack has redesigned the Affinities system and introduced Hybrid Affinities. You’re no longer stuck following one of three paths, you can mix things up as you see fit.

7. New World Types

Rising Tide introduces 2 new world types or biomes: Primordial and Frigid. Primordial worlds are still forming, have a chaotic landscape and are rife with volcanic activity. Frigid worlds are covered by oceans and frozen tundra.

Rising Tide Pricing

Rising Tide, the expansion pack to Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth, is priced at $29.99.

“Beyond Earth successfully proved there is an audience for a sci-fi spin-off to the Civilization franchise,” said Sarah Anderson, SVP of Marketing at 2K. “Over the last year, Firaxis has done a lot of work to ensure Rising Tide is an ambitious expansion that continues differentiating Beyond Earth from its historical predecessors while reviewing and implementing community feedback since the launch of the base game.”

Closing Words

The Rising Tide expansion pack introduces new features and fixes some annoyances with the original title’s gameplay. It shows that 2K and Firaxis Games are on the right path and if you enjoyed Beyond Earth, this expansion pack is reason enough to dive back into the game.

Learn more about Sid Meier’s Civilization on its official website.



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