Civilization V will be receiving the Gods and Kings expansion soon (screenshots)

For you history buffs, strategy game enthusiasts, and downright Civilization fans – your time is coming soon.  As of today, 2K Games has announced a new expansion for Civilization V called Sid Meier's Civilization V: Gods & Kings.  As someone who has been playing Civilization series since the original back in 1991, I’ll admit this expansion has some desirable features I’m surprised they have added.

This expansion will, of course, add the features we expect out of a Civilization’s expansion.  Such aspects like addition techs, 27 units, 13 buildings, 9 Wonders, and 9 playable Civilizations.  New leaders include Netherlands (William I, Prince of Orange), the Celts (Boudicca), and the Mayans (Pacal the Great).

In the Civ games I’ve always been really into the religious aspects of the games and this expansion delivers directly to my interests.  There is a new “Faith” resource you will be able to create your own religion.  There will be options to grow the faith as a Pantheon of Gods to fully-customized religion.  I need to know the mechanics of this.

The combat system is also getting revamped.  The AI will now have a more balanced army composition.  There will also be navel melee units the scour the seas with.  City States will play a greater role.  This expansion will introduce religious and mercantile city states to impact your religion and help fill your civilization’s treasury. 

Besides interaction with city states, there will be advanced diplomacy and espionage.  Now you can set up embassies with rival civs and you can spy and set up surveillance in enemy cities.  Much like the original Civilization, you can use steal advanced tech and gather influence with city states.

On top of these amazing features, the expansion will also add new scenarios to the game.  Examples released are the fall of Rome, exploration of the medieval era, and a Victorian sci-fi setting.  That’s right, a Victorian sci-fi.  Mind blown.

There isn’t an official release date for Gods and Kings yet but we are told is will be sometime during Spring 2012 – and that is soon.  Enjoy the screenshots below.