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UnCiv

Linux

https://yairm210.itch.io/unciv

What is this game?

UnCiv is a capital "F" Free (and open source) clone of Civilization V, mostly targeting Android but also supporting desktop systems. It's also arguably the first "typical" free software game that I've covered on this log (the first actual free software game I've played here was Friday Night Funkin'...) This may or may not be a bit confusing, so let me explain.

Friday Night Funkin' on the Linux and Low-Spec gaming log

Did I enjoy playing this?

Yes, I loved Civ VI, and UnCiv is just as addicting, despite much, much simpler presentation. That's how most free software games (ones that Linux purists tend to play) generally are: they are made on very small budgets by Linux nerds, who tend to be good at (and interested in) programming, but not so much with game design, UI design, graphics etc. Knowing their strengths and weaknesses, these developers try to take and reimplement already existing and beloved game designs, "stealing" them and making them free and open source. I say this not to criticize, but just to point out what I think is an interesting dynamic, since these free software clones tend to have a small but beautiful and dedicated fanbase, and very vibrant modding communities, though overshadowed by the original versions which have actual marketing behind them.

Some of these "clones" are really just spiritual successors, which take core ideas of a game but lead them into a different direction. UnCiv is, from what I can tell, a rather faithful recreation of Civilization V, albeit with a mobile UI and a pixel-art graphics style. This gets an 8/10, in comparison with the 10/10 I gave to Civ VI: Gathering Storm. The score is lowered due to:

Complete lack of music (But hey, this just means you get to play some of your own favorite music, right? Podcasts, anyone?)
A jarring contrast between the pixel art game graphics and mobile/Material Design UI graphics
Default font size being absolutely gigantic on desktops/laptops (luckily adjustable in the settings).

The gameplay was absolutely, perfectly fine, once I got past these flaws.

Playing it on Linux, or low-spec hardware?

Linux is a first-class citizen for this game, I had absolutely no problems running UnCiv, and notably the CPU usage was so low that I've never heard my laptop fan spin up. This gets the *Linux and Low Spec Gaming Golden Seal of Approval*, which I just made up. I would not be surprised if it performed well on an extra-cheap Chromebook.

-- gardenapple 2022-08-22

Linux and low-spec-ish gaming