Among the ways to win in past Civilization games has been building a rocket that takes your nation to the stars. Civilization: Beyond Earth takes that concept and makes a game out of it, letting you play out the Civ experience on an alien world.

Some concerns have been expressed that Beyond Earth is too much like Civilization V for its own good, looking and feeling and too much like an expansion pack. Others feel the refinements it offers are more than enough to justify beingan entirely new game. One thing I think we can all agree is that having a satellite-based laser weapon is totally awesome.

We’ve gathered up a sampling of the first reviews for Beyond Earth below. For more, check out GameSpot sister site Metacritic.

• Game: Civilization: Beyond Earth
• Developer: Firaxis
• Platforms: PC (Mac/Linux coming this holiday)
• Release Date: October 24
• Price: $50

GameSpot — 7/10

“[T]he path to victory is more elegantly interwoven with the early and middle game this time around, and of course, global domination, ever the crude way out, remains as tempting as ever when another world leader shows up uninvited to talk some smack. The more things change, the more they stay the same, then; a journey to a planet halfway across the universe reaffirming the draw of the same old creature comforts–a plot of land, and just one more turn.” – Nick Capozzoli [Full review]

Polygon — 9/10

“Civilization: Beyond Earth is an immensely pleasing simulation of a future human society, struggling to survive on a new planet. It presents the player with a constant stream of challenging and intriguing choices. Packed with big ideas about science and science fiction, it meticulously interlocks dozens of strategic gaming systems that work together at a level that approaches genius.” – Colin Campbell [Full review]

PC Gamer — 87/100

“This is how Beyond Earth succeeds in spite of its similarities to Civ 5. It offers a game steeped in the traditions and mechanics of Civilization, that’s nevertheless surprising and new in often unexpected ways. I’ve conquered countless civilizations on the planet Earths of each various Civilization game, and each time it’s felt like reinventing a fantasy version of the past. In Beyond Earth, victory feels like living in–and forging–humanity’s future, and I can honestly say I’ve never had more fun building a civ ‘to stand the test of time.'” – Russ Pitts [Full review]

IGN — 7.9/10

“Beyond Earth is nowhere near the strongest game in the more than 20-year-old Civilization series, but this big collection of interesting experimental ideas definitely still kept me playing long after I should’ve gone to bed. The Affinities and streamlined military upgrade system, and a colorful change of scenery make it worth the time to figure out the difference between Protogenetics and Surrogacy, and suffering through temperamental alien wildlife.” – Dan Stapleton [Full review]

Eurogamer — 8/10

“Inevitably, it’s not really a game about space and aliens, even though it effortlessly got me googling Bracewell probes and the Great Attractor. Like the best [sci-fi], Beyond Earth is about humanity–more so, perhaps, than Civ itself is. Here comes Earth, eh? So filled with contradictory certainties and lofty dogma, so ready to forget its principles when greed takes over. The wider mechanics, meanwhile–with that web, those quests, all those new choices–are emphatically concerned with distracting you from your dogma and even your self-interest, with distracting you from one strategy by offering so many others.” – Christian Donlan [Full review]

Shacknews — 7/10

“Civilization: Beyond Earth takes some getting used to, even for longtime Civ fans. Although the game has more than a fair share of quirks, I believe that it has the potential to become a much better game. While the Affinity system lacks the kind of personality and flexibility that other Civ games have, I’ll admit that it is an interesting twist. Even after multiple playthroughs, I can’t really say that I’m completely comfortable with the technology web. Perhaps it’s because a web makes for more indecision than a straightforward tech tree. Or maybe it’s because I’m one of those people who can’t decide between a creating a giant robot or a giant bug to crush my foes. Despite its faults, Civilization: Beyond Earth does fulfill its promise to take you to a distant world, where you’ll find exotic alien life, meet future leaders of mankind… and conquer them.” – Steven Wong [Full review]

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