When comparing Metroid vs Civilization, the Slant community recommends Metroid for most people. In the question“What are the best and the most revolutionary games of all time?” Metroid is ranked 14th while Civilization is ranked 18th. The most important reason people chose Metroid is:
Metroid paved the way for using not only sound and graphics, but level design as an element of atmosphere in games. Its deep, dark, winding tunnels with cleverly hidden passages and non-linear gameplay, together with its foreboding soundtrack and sound effects create a desolate feeling of loneliness akin to the cinematography of the film "Alien".
Specs
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Pros
Pro Atmospheric sound and graphics
Metroid paved the way for using not only sound and graphics, but level design as an element of atmosphere in games. Its deep, dark, winding tunnels with cleverly hidden passages and non-linear gameplay, together with its foreboding soundtrack and sound effects create a desolate feeling of loneliness akin to the cinematography of the film "Alien".
Pro Created a new sub-genre (Metroidvania)
Because of their atmospheric design and non-linear gameplay, Metroid and Castlevania have forged their own sub-genre, original enough to bear their names - Metroidvania.
Pro Encouraged speed running
Metroid's innovation doesn't stop there - Metroid was one of the first games to not only cater to, but encourage speed running, a concept ultimately popularized by one of its sequels, Super Metroid.
Pro Challenged players' assumptions
Metroid uses this mechanic to go step further - upon being completed in under a certain amount of time, it breaks players assumptions and defies gender stereotypes in revealing that the hero they've been playing as is actually a heroine.
Pro Immersive, highly addictive
Once you start, you're committed for at least three hours.
Pro Defined a game genre
The original Civilization is responsible for bringing the 4X (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate) genre to masses and defining certain characteristics that are now staples of the genre.
Because Civilzation was commercially highly successful other publishers tried to replicate Civ's success.
Cons
Con You have to play in one sitting
No saves, passwords, or retries if you get a game over.
Con Big learning curve.
Managing everything from resources to armies to research is a delicate balance.
Con No multiplayer
The original version had no multiplayer.