There are two hands-on impressions on Civilization: Revolution from Eurogamer (link) and Kotaku (link) and their comments are extremely encouraging. In both articles the controls and interface of the game are being praised as is the streamlining of the game which makes it more accessible with shorter length sessions.

The most notable issues discussed are the stripping down of some technologies and the lessening of micromanagement available for example in cities. There are free-for-all, head to head and team multiplayer modes. Crucial to the success of the multiplayer is the fact that if a player leaves the game AI takes over and thus not ending the game halfway through a session. 

As the game is now much faster paced, a multiplayer session will last you for around 1 hour. If you are asking me as a die-hard Civ fan teenager/student I once was, then this move of the franchise to a more mass appeal game is not what I wanted. But if you are asking the 30 year old with a job and already overwhelmed with the amount of games out there then yes Civilization: Revolution is the game I can realistic play.

I can’t wait.