Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword vs V Rising
A full spec-by-spec comparison of Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword vs V Rising — engine, performance, dimensions, features and price, with the differences highlighted to help you decide.
| Specification | Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword 2K Games, Aspyr | V Rising Stunlock Studios |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Release Date | June 24, 2007 | May 8, 2024 |
| Availability | Released | Released |
| Developer | Firaxis | Stunlock Studios |
| Publisher | 2K Games, Aspyr | Stunlock Studios |
| Official Site | http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/beyondthesword/ | https://playvrising.com/ |
| Gameplay | ||
| Genre | Strategy | Action, Adventure, Massively Multiplayer |
| Game Modes | Single-player, Multiplayer | Single-player, Multiplayer, Co-op, Online Co-op |
| Average Playtime | 3 hours | 7 hours |
| Platforms & Pricing | ||
| Platforms | PC, Apple Macintosh | PC |
| Available On | Steam | Steam |
| PC Requirements | ||
| Minimum Requirements | Windows 2000 (plus Service Pack 1 or higher), Windows XP Home or Professional (plus Service Pack 1 or higher), or Windows Vista; 1.2GHz Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon processor, 256 MB RAM, 64 MB video card with hardware T&L (GeForce 2, Radeon 7500 or better), DirectX 7 compatible sound card, 1.7 GB of free hard drive space, DirectX 9.0c (included) Recommended: 1.8GHz Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon processor or equivalent (or better), 512 MB RAM, 128 MB video card with DirectX 8 support (pixel and vertex shaders), DirectX 7 compatible sound card, 1.7 GB of free hard drive space, DirectX 9.0c (included) | Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system OS: Windows 10 64 bit Processor: Intel Core i5-6600, 3.3 GHz or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X, 3.5 GHz Memory: 12 GB RAM Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti, 2 GB or AMD Radeon R7 360, 2 GB DirectX: Version 11 Network: Broadband Internet connection Storage: 7 GB available space Additional Notes: Minimum System Requirements might change in the future |
| Recommended Requirements | — | Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system OS: Windows 10 64 bit Processor: Intel Core i5-11600K, 3.9 GHz or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, 3.7 GHz Memory: 12 GB RAM Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070, 8 GB or AMD Radeon RX 590, 8 GB DirectX: Version 11 Network: Broadband Internet connection Storage: 7 GB available space Additional Notes: Recommended System Requirements might change in the future |
| Critic & Community Scores | ||
| Metacritic | 86 / 100 | — |
| Community Rating | 3.8 / 5 (162 ratings) | 3.7 / 5 (175 ratings) |
Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword vs V Rising: which should you buy?
Both titles cater to very different gaming tastes and hardware profiles. Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword is a classic turn‑based strategy released in 2007 that runs on modest machines – it only needs a 1.2 GHz Pentium 4 or equivalent, 256 MB RAM and a basic 64‑MB video card. The game’s average playtime is about three hours, making it ideal for casual strategy fans or players who enjoy a quick, cerebral session. V Rising, on the other hand, is a 2024 action‑adventure MMO that demands a modern PC: a 64‑bit processor (Intel Core i5‑6600 or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X minimum), 12 GB RAM, a mid‑range GPU (GeForce GTX 750 Ti or Radeon R7 360) and at least 7 GB of storage. Its average playtime is roughly seven hours, reflecting a more immersive, multiplayer‑centric experience. If you own an older computer and prefer strategy over action, Civilization IV is the clear choice; if your system meets V Rising’s requirements and you’re looking for a contemporary, multiplayer‑heavy adventure, go with V Rising. Prices are not listed in the data, so budget considerations cannot be made here.
Frequently asked questions
Which game is cheaper?
The data does not provide price information for either title, so a cost comparison cannot be made.
Which game requires more powerful hardware?
V Rising requires a 64‑bit processor, 12 GB RAM and a mid‑range GPU (e.g., GTX 750 Ti), whereas Civilization IV only needs a 1.2 GHz Pentium 4, 256 MB RAM and a basic 64‑MB video card.
Which game offers more playtime?
V Rising’s average playtime is about 7 hours, while Civilization IV averages around 3 hours.
Which game is better for multiplayer?
V Rising supports single‑player, multiplayer, co‑op and online co‑op; Civilization IV offers only single‑player and multiplayer modes.