Rebel Fighter
Chieftain
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2012
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- 94
Here is a brief analysis of the official screenshots that have been released. Take what you will with a grain of salt.
Let's start with the first screenshot. WARNING: Large image.
The most apparent thing on the screen is the spaceship-like vehicle at the center of the image. Because no other terrain has been explored, we can safely assume this is the equivalent of a settler. To the left of the settler is a troop unit. This looks like your basic space marine squad, equipped with shielded suits and moderate to heavy firearms. In essence, this unit is the equivalent of a warrior.
Both of these units are exploring what seems to be a very strange and lush alien biome surrounded by liquid water (these oceans may be used for kelp farms). The general terrain seems to resemble a mixture of grasslands and marshes and is dotted with many different features. Quite a few of the hexagonal tiles have a short form of green vegetation growing on them. These may be the equivalent of forests or they may provide extra food output such as grassland. Another noticeable aspect is that many of the tiles have a green gaseous fog floating above them. This may be harsh terrain that requires extensive terra-forming to be livable, and it may cause damage to units that are not properly equipped to deal with the hazards. It is also possible that this gas can be harvested as a power source.
Scanning the image further, there seems to be purple flora growing in several places. These may be harvested for food, or they could provide some type of mineral essential for certain unit types. North of the troop unit there seems to be a fiery geological exhaust port. This could be a potential spot for a thermal bore hole to get extra production and energy in exchange for detrimental ecological effects. Moving the wrong unit on the tile could also cause damage to the unit. To the northwest, there are many elevation changes ranging from canyons and crevices to bluish mountains. It is unclear whether this terrain may be terra-formed to be flatter at a later date, but it will most likely be impassable by most units in its current state. Air units may be the only unit type that can pass over them.
Now that we covered that screenshot, let's move on to the next one.
There are two distinct unit types that can be seen. Both of them are either hostile alien life forms, domestic wildlife, or an example of the "Harmony" affinity that blends human and alien genetics. The smaller, more nimble creatures are probably basic melee units, whereas the gray monolithic animals in the center either control the other creatures as a hive mind, or perhaps they are an advanced form of a siege unit.
The terrain presented is much more varied. The northern ground is heavily saturated with water and most likely slows movement as a result. The southern land appears arid and sprinkled with some sort of high-energy substance. To the east, many mountains and canyons can be seen. There are also what appears to be craters from meteor impacts. One in particular looks so large and filled with water that it may be the equivalent of a lake or a natural wonder. To the very top right of the image, there seems to be a river cutting around the bend. These may be used for harnessing power with hydro-dams.
Finally, let's look at the final screenshot.
The most exciting thing happening in the picture is definitely the massive, carnivorous organism rising out of the ground that's either attacking or threatening the space marines. Based on the anatomical structure of its cylindrical body, it's either a plant or a worm of some sort. It is also possible that this creature may be the equivalent of a barbarian encampment, spawning smaller creatures to attack the less fortunate.
There is one geological feature of note within this image: the "forest-like" vegetation seems to be much taller than in the first screenshot. This perhaps is an indicator that Civilization: Beyond Earth will have dynamic terrain that grows, dies, and can be terra-formed at will. This adaptability may also be marked by weather changes, but it is yet to be seen.
And this concludes my analysis of the official screenshots that Firaxis has released. Let us know what you think some of these units and geological features may entail. Thanks for reading and have a nice day.
Let's start with the first screenshot. WARNING: Large image.
Spoiler :
The most apparent thing on the screen is the spaceship-like vehicle at the center of the image. Because no other terrain has been explored, we can safely assume this is the equivalent of a settler. To the left of the settler is a troop unit. This looks like your basic space marine squad, equipped with shielded suits and moderate to heavy firearms. In essence, this unit is the equivalent of a warrior.
Both of these units are exploring what seems to be a very strange and lush alien biome surrounded by liquid water (these oceans may be used for kelp farms). The general terrain seems to resemble a mixture of grasslands and marshes and is dotted with many different features. Quite a few of the hexagonal tiles have a short form of green vegetation growing on them. These may be the equivalent of forests or they may provide extra food output such as grassland. Another noticeable aspect is that many of the tiles have a green gaseous fog floating above them. This may be harsh terrain that requires extensive terra-forming to be livable, and it may cause damage to units that are not properly equipped to deal with the hazards. It is also possible that this gas can be harvested as a power source.
Scanning the image further, there seems to be purple flora growing in several places. These may be harvested for food, or they could provide some type of mineral essential for certain unit types. North of the troop unit there seems to be a fiery geological exhaust port. This could be a potential spot for a thermal bore hole to get extra production and energy in exchange for detrimental ecological effects. Moving the wrong unit on the tile could also cause damage to the unit. To the northwest, there are many elevation changes ranging from canyons and crevices to bluish mountains. It is unclear whether this terrain may be terra-formed to be flatter at a later date, but it will most likely be impassable by most units in its current state. Air units may be the only unit type that can pass over them.
Now that we covered that screenshot, let's move on to the next one.
Spoiler :
There are two distinct unit types that can be seen. Both of them are either hostile alien life forms, domestic wildlife, or an example of the "Harmony" affinity that blends human and alien genetics. The smaller, more nimble creatures are probably basic melee units, whereas the gray monolithic animals in the center either control the other creatures as a hive mind, or perhaps they are an advanced form of a siege unit.
The terrain presented is much more varied. The northern ground is heavily saturated with water and most likely slows movement as a result. The southern land appears arid and sprinkled with some sort of high-energy substance. To the east, many mountains and canyons can be seen. There are also what appears to be craters from meteor impacts. One in particular looks so large and filled with water that it may be the equivalent of a lake or a natural wonder. To the very top right of the image, there seems to be a river cutting around the bend. These may be used for harnessing power with hydro-dams.
Finally, let's look at the final screenshot.
Spoiler :
The most exciting thing happening in the picture is definitely the massive, carnivorous organism rising out of the ground that's either attacking or threatening the space marines. Based on the anatomical structure of its cylindrical body, it's either a plant or a worm of some sort. It is also possible that this creature may be the equivalent of a barbarian encampment, spawning smaller creatures to attack the less fortunate.
There is one geological feature of note within this image: the "forest-like" vegetation seems to be much taller than in the first screenshot. This perhaps is an indicator that Civilization: Beyond Earth will have dynamic terrain that grows, dies, and can be terra-formed at will. This adaptability may also be marked by weather changes, but it is yet to be seen.
And this concludes my analysis of the official screenshots that Firaxis has released. Let us know what you think some of these units and geological features may entail. Thanks for reading and have a nice day.
