Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword is the second expansion to the real-time strategy game Civilization IV. It includes a new espionage system, politics and religion and new colonies. The game also includes new leaders, units, buildings, technologies, and wonders.IGN: Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword Review

Players must build an empire and spread their influence to neighboring colonies. All full-length games start at 4,000 BCE with one person and a small city. Players can win the game by completing one of five goals by 2050 AD:

1. Conquer all civilizations
2. Control the majority of the world's population
3. Be the first to construct a spaceship to inhabit Alpha Centauri
4. Increase the culture ratings of three cities to legendary
5. Be declared world leader

Building the cities is similar to other RTS' as players must balance resource gathering, creating a strong military, and advancing technology. Advancing technology not only increases the strength of the military, but it also develops resource gathering techniques, new types of buildings, new resources, and terrain improvements. In Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword, the addition of espionage also allows players to learn more about their rival cities and to create revolts in enemy territories.

1. Sixteen new leaders
   1. Hammurabi
   2. Justinian
   3. Zara Yaqob
   4. Charlemagne
   5. Suryavarman II
   6. Pacal II
   7. Sitting Bull
   8. Willem Van Oranje
   9. Joao II
   10. Gilgamesh
   11. Abraham Lincoln
   12. Queen Boudica
   13. Charles de Gaulle
   14. Pericles
   15. Suleiman the Magnificent
   16. Darius I
2. Ten new civilizations
   1. Babylon
   2. Byzantium
   3. Holy Rome
   4. Khmer
   5. Maya
   6. Native America
   7. Netherlands
   8. Portugal
   9. Sumeria
3. Eleven new scenarios
4. New army units
5. Six new Wonders of the World
6. Espionage system - spy on enemies and begin revolts
7. Air mission system create more realistic air combat
8. On-map ocean trade routes
9. Improved AI
10. Expansive trait only give 25% bonus to production