Explicit Gamer has an article taking a look at the newly announced Civilization V. Sid Meier’s long-running turn-based strategy series will undergo a number of upgrades, all of which look promising at this stage.

The maps will now be tiled with hexagons instead of squares. Those not familiar with the series might not understand the import of such a geometrical change, but series veterans are already formulating new strategies the extra sides will allow.

The graphics engine is getting an overhaul, and the combat system is being improved and expanded.

The Civilization series is known for allowing you to take a people from their first shanty town and lead them to world domination. You can do this by spending dozens of hours building up each of your cities and encouraging cultural growth, expanding into nearby civilizations and sending world leaders nice gifts to convince them that your just the best ever; alternatively, you can knock everybody about with pointy objects until they roll over and give you mountains of tribute while praising your immortal dominance. No points for guessing which method I traditionally employ.

The fifth game in the series (not counting numerous spin-offs) looks to offer up all of this in higher resolutions with more options and a deeper level of strategy.

It’s hard to ask more from a sequel. There’s little doubt that we’ll all be pulling accidental all-nighters when it’s released this Fall.

Jerod Jarvis is an independent gaming journalist and founder of Duality Games. He maintains gaming columns for The Washington Times Communities and for The Outpost. When not blogging madly about games, he freelances for the Spokesman-Review in his hometown of Spokane, Washington and attends school at Whitworth University. Check out his presence on Facebook and Twitter to stay up on Duality Games updates and the inside scoop on the gaming news you care about.