Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI

Civilization VI is like playing chess, except the pieces occasionally decide to argue with you about philosophy. One moment you're building a peaceful utopia, and the next, you're embroiled in a ridiculous turf war with Cleopatra over a single tile of desert.

Let's not forget about good ol' Gandhi - starts off as the pacifist we all know. But give him a few turns, and he transforms into a nuke-happy overlord with a penchant for world domination. It's like watching your sweet grandma suddenly join a biker gang.

Challenging and super fun to play solo or with friends! Every round you play is different and with each start location you have to play the game differently. Making each game unique due to the other civilizations being random usually. Knowledge of the game comes with time and is very natural to pick up, but dont sleep on the harder difficulties. Good luck and Have Fun!!

This was my first CIV game so I can't really align with the majority opinion that 6 was trash compared to the previous two.

That being said, I just think this entry is neat. I can't bring myself to hate it. It's a uh good game.

That's mostly it, see ya.

As is tradition: followed the usual civ formula, sucked on release but then became one of the best 4x/turn based strategy games of all time after 2 expansions (which is to say, you really need those expansions for the game to feel complete)

Civ 6 was a lot more controversial due to its change in graphical/visual style and gameplay additions that felt more board-gamey or just outright changed how games played out/encouraged from you as the player, but some of the system changes from the expansions are incredible changes such as the final revision of the strategic resources system, or the electricity system in general etc so it has some incredible ideas.

This game feels a lot more lightweight and easier to jump into for immediate gameplay than previous civs, but also requires a lot more pre planning many turns ahead for what you want to do due to being unable to easily un-do/re-do choices you make or districts you've built compared to others

Its not quite civ 5 or civ 4 to me, but I enjoy it and the changes it makes quite a lot nonetheless and heavily recommend it, heres looking forward to civ 7!

I've got 725 hours on Civ 6, and it's definitely in my top 3 most played games of all time. So take that as you will before reading this review.

I'd say Civ 6 is the best strategy game to be rated 4.5/5. Sure, there are games that are rated higher, much more complex, or require a lot more in depth knowledge of the game mechanics/leaders/maps/etc to win... but nothing comes close to Civ 6 in how approachable, easy to pick up, quick to jump in, FUN, and immediately addicting it is.

"Just one... more... turn..."

Civ 6 is insanely replayable -even before you get any expansions or explore the marketplace! It is fun, strategic, economic, cultural, historic (well, it has historical people, places, things), and can even be brutal. Nuclear war is not off the table! Trading with city-states, using spies to steal enemy technologies, forcing your neighboring ally (or enemy!) to convert to your religion, and even using rock stars to spread your culture worldwide are all possible ways to work towards fulfilling a victory condition to win the game. And there are 5 different victory conditions, completing any 1 of the 5 is an automatic win! The level of replayability is endless, you can customize games to only allow certain victory conditions, or only allow specific leaders, parts of the world, etc. You can just keep making new games and having wildly different experiences.

My only complaints are : The late game turn-to-turn management is repetitive. It becomes a game of micromanagement on the largest scale. It can become tedious and take away from the immersion. My only other complaint is one a lot of people won't even notice: Once you've gotten 500+ hours in, you'll understand how annoying difficulty scaling is (and how on deity setting every other computer civ literally "cheats" They start with 3 settlers, or they can make 2 slingers per turn on turn 1, or they'll somehow have 1,500 gold on turn 2. You've gotta *really* know how to play the game, your leader, and every tip/trick. But like I said, this is something most people won't encounter.

If you're seeing all the ads and gossip about Civ 7 and are looking for a much more affordable alternative, get this game. If you like any sort of strategy, turn-based strategy, grand/4k strategy, or sim games, get this game. Even if you tried this when it first game out and weren't a fan (like me, I didn't put down Civ 5 until 2020) give this another shot. The expansions add such a plethora of awesome new dynamics that it is 100% worth the cost.

As a big time civ 5 lover this game sucks without the Gathering storm etc, also suggest you run a couple mods to change the way the game actually looks - too animated, then also some quality of life improvements such as quick deals.

Once you have the mods and the add-ons, pretty good game. Though i will always say Civ 5 is better.

I have way more hours in this game than it looks like, except that I finally caved and repurchased the game on Steam to make playing with mods easier. After two expansions, this game has really come into its own, with lots of fun systems to mess around with. The only genuinely bad idea in this game is the World Congress and the Diplomatic Victory. Proposals just come out of nowhere (heaven only knows who put these proposals forward) and diplomacy is a game of guessing what the AI will vote for. Civ V had a much better World Congress where the diplomatic leaders could put their own proposals forward, having diplomatic 'currency' gave you more votes, and you could make your own deals with the AI to convince them to support or oppose a proposal.

Incredible mediocre game with high levels of micromanagement. The studio has made the best version of this game 15 years ago. Now they are just rereleasing worse versions of the same game to sell you DLCs to make it playable. Mid interpretation of history that will seem ignorant to anyone who wants to dig deeper than the surface level. Mid gameplay, as the game will always be a micromanagement simulator. Playing tall is just an objectively worse strategy this time. Every game is a lazy cash grab with no heart.

This is a masterpiece it is perfect it is so fun and with all the ways to win i cant get enough of this game. Rome is my favorite civ to play.

This game gets extremely addicting and if you like to micromange different thing or want to make an acient civilization rule the modern world you can.

i played Civ 1, 2, 4 and Alpha Centauri and tried Civ 5 and 6. as the first 4 mentioned i liked very much and played them extensively i wanted to like Civ 6 too. unfortunately i didnt get really into it. the few hours i tried were somehow frustrating.

1. i like complex but this one seems to be complicated (which is different) and maybe they have overdone complexity while they werent able to put the complexity into an proper interface. i had to search internret on several occasions to find just out how certain seemingly simple things work. the interface is partly also not very intuitive (esp. city managment screen)
2. i have tried to games but they unfortunately turned out quite boring after a while
3. 50gb disc space??? are you serious? for what? i dont see were this 50gb are. graphics seems to be a step backward, nontheless it takes multiple times the space of his predecessors.

after civ 5 this is now the 2nd time this series did disappoint me and probably i wont try again it soon again.

A fun an educational time suck that requires little social skills.

Firaxis is one of the few development studios that I still get excited for whenever they release a new game. With Civilization VII right around the corner, I started playing the games that got me into the series and the 4X genre. Civilization V was a nice trip down memory lane but after replaying Civilization VI, I have to say that this is the better game. Civilization V has a better sense of atmosphere with its more realistic art direction and variety of music, but VI has so much more to offer in making a dynamic and engaging game, especially with its expansions.

Civilization VI’s basis is pretty much where V’s expansions left off. Trading is mainly done via routes created by units, religion offers bonuses to other aspects of the game and is now a victory condition itself, and the tourism system for cultural victories is pretty much a 1:1 copy of what it was in V. This was a much better foundation to build off of compared to V’s base game, which lacked a lot of non-military options. The improvements made to city-states and suzerain status through envoys is a far better way of interacting instead of literally just handing money from time to time. Spies have far more versatility and can now steal gold, works of art, sabotage production, and spawn high-powered barbarians in others’ civilizations. Amenities and housing is a much better system of preventing over expansion than global happiness. The list goes on. The most notable change is Civilization VI’s districts, which are built outside of city centers and house specialized buildings such as libraries and universities in the science district and banks and markets in the commercial district. I find this to be a huge improvement over building everything in a single city center because it requires a lot more strategy in how to make the best use of the landscape and it helps each city feel more unique now that they have to specialize in certain productions. Builders being temporary is also a nice improvement as it reduces the amount of micromanagement and clutter inside a civilization’s borders.

The expansions add a lot of new features just like Civilization V’s expansions, but I find them to be more of a mixed bag this time around. I like the climate change system and how it changes the map and causes more severe storms that can create chaos. But golden and dark ages is more of a nuisance as there is no in between for the rest of the game once the first golden or dark age begins. Loyalty, free cities, and barbarian clans that can become fully fledged city-states are cool ideas, but it can become too chaotic to deal with as the game goes on. Free cities in particular feel rather underdeveloped as you can’t interact with them beyond attacking them. And apocalypse mode and zombies, while fun, just don’t fit the grounded theme of the Civilization series. Thankfully, most of these can be individually toggled when setting up the game.

Much like its predecessors, Civilization VI’s AI is terrible. This is the second game to have the 1 military unit per tile hex system, but the computer just can’t figure out how to properly utilize units and the environment. These idiots will still have support units roaming enemy territory completely undefended despite there being an escort option to link them with a military unit so they move together now. They are even easier to fleece in trades now, and will hand away important items like great works of art for pennies. The only improvement made here is that establishing embassies and sending spies as diplomats will reveal the AI’s motivational traits and give some much needed transparency on why they are unhappy with you or what their reason for denouncing you are. Knowing this info just makes them look even dumber however, as their motivations will often conflict with actually trying to win the game.

I have a feeling that going forward, a lot of the additions to the formula that Civilization VI’s expansions made are not going to form the foundation of Civilization VII. Civilization V and its expansions were a more complete game for Civilization VI to build off of, while the expansions for VI add a lot of smaller features that don’t feel like they are meant to interact with each other simultaneously. This would work to make Civilization VI stand out more compared to its upcoming sequel, but it could also be its downfall should VII refine what was done here into something more cohesive. For now, this is my personal favorite of the modern Civilization games and is well worth playing for just one more turn.

Really great game but the late game could be improved upon. All my playthroughs end with me nuking all the civs and I can't seem to get a different victory.

This game will convince you that you are managing all of humanity and that if you breath wrong you will make everyone suffer. If you are an indecisive person and are prone to "analysis paralysis" this game will take hours away from you -- in a good way. Overall, 10/10 great game.

TL;DR - It's Civ. It's still the king of the 4X game. It's fun.

A solid entry in the Civ series, and has all the elements of the 4X series that I know and love. At this point, the series lacks the charm of some of the earlier entries; the mechanics have become somewhat too difficult to understand. There is also an unreasonable amount of stuff not included in the base game and the prices of the expansions are prohibitive. Civ V fixed the death ball problem from the earlier entries. There's a lot of development time and effort spent on the window dressing, graphics, Sean Bean, etc. Some of the results are spectacular, like the unique and evolving musical scoring used for the different civs. Very cool! But again, a lot of it is just window dressing and there's something to be said for the simpler times. Maybe I'm just old. I'd be more excited about a reissue of Civ 2 (just enough code updating to make it work on a modern PC, no other adjustments) and would be excited to buy it. I love Civ, but I'm not going to continue to pour money into this franchise's reskinning every few years. It's little better than CoD or Madden or any of the other yearly update games that have lost the plot and whose rationale for continuing to exist is just to get us to shell out for a product that doesn't add much that is truly fun, and often feels inferior from entry to entry with each passing version.

-Ты встретил Монтесуму
-Он осудил тебя за то, что тебе дохрена хорошо живётся
-Тебе объявляют войну сразу четыре страны, которые каким-то образом заключили союз с этой обезьяной
-У тебя получается захватить один город
-Они созывают конгресс и объявляют тебя агрессором
-Тебе объявляют войну сразу все страны

-10 очков лояльности в твоей столице из 20

Even more than past games, a lot of the changes force you to adapt depending on the land you control. And while it's probably good that I can't have cities that produce every single wonder and building, you feel a lot less powerful by the end game than in Civ V.

Still a really good time though.

Great game and recommended if you are a strategy player. Looking forward to the new game soon!

Very good game, liiked maybe the fifth one more but still very good game !!

Very fun game that I always come back to. It can get repetitive but its an amazing game. I cant wait for civ 7

You can attempt to play this game peacefully, maintaining diplomatic trade with other nations and your friends civs, but then your friends religion he named "cumshot" spreads throughout your cities and you once again quickly build the manhattan project to wipe his religion off the face of the earth, cause nukes are the only way to stop his hearsay. 10/10

It's fun to play, but sometimes you don't realize how time flies, which is sometimes bad

I have played this game A lot and at the time at writing this civ 7 will be out in a month so if you want to try this game and this is after the civ 7 is out play that instead and if civ 7 is out get that instead of this :)

It's pretty good, not perfect, but all in all not bad. Lots of fun to be had if you like Civ games or turn-based strategies.

I've tried a lot of different strategy games of the same type, mainly ones like HOI 4 or Victoria 3, but this game is the only one of the bunch which I'm excited to play. This is the type of strategy game that you can excel at, but will still enjoy even if you don't know what you're doing for most of the time; this is the type of game where you can role-play as another nation, but you can ignore that part completely if you want to. This game solves many of the issues that the other map-based strategy games have, mainly when it comes to versatility and simplicity, which is why it's so fun to play over and over again.

10/10

This game is pretty fun, it's well made the only thing i have problems with is i have a bad pc so i might have to switch alot of times to the strategy map but im okay with my performance so far, another thing is the dlc's but atleast it's not horrible as HoI4's dlc prices, the prices aren't too bad.

I am late to Civ 6 with the seventh game mere weeks away, but playing this game is just plain fun. Depending on how good you are at strategy you can do well middling, or get your hiney kicked in short order and there is a lot to do and a lot to learn on a game like this.

If you like turn based grand strategy, this is probably the game for you

I started with Civ V. It took some getting use to for this game but I like it. It can get addicting and time can fly.

I recently won on deity mode for the third time, and I find that each playthrough teaches me many gameplay details. I’d like to recommend the following mods, which enhance the game without upsetting its balance: Better Report Screen (UI), Map Tacks/Detailed Map Tacks, Extended Policy Cards, Quick Deals.

Civ 6 remains a great game. Every time you play it again it is different from the last time and you are always challenged in a fun way to develop a great civilization the way you want it. Once you start you just keep playing and playing and playing. That says it all for me. I love the franchise and am very much looking forward to civ 7

the Civ creators always find ways to add more to the game that continuously improves it. I am always amazed that they keep finding new features, but they do

Generally a brilliant game - very satisfying to play... HOWEVER, how they rolled out the DLC wasn't great, felt greedy and overpriced... That said though, I will continue to play the game with great satisfaction and I'm excited about future releases...

Great game mechanics, graphics, and replayability.

The game mechanics are like other 4x games, the AI cheats! Surely in this day and age they can actual make the AI players not use out and out cheats.

Just play Polytopia. All the good parts of the gameplay, way faster, none of the fluff.

This game is like the embodiment of one more turn. You will get hooked and if you are like me, obsessed. The mechanics can be difficult at first but they provide a pretty helpful advisor that is built into the game that guides you throughout the entire game. Do not be afraid to restart on a new civ, it will take some time but it is so fun. Had a blast playing this game and was an absolute steal for $3

impressive and fun, i could spend hours doing nothing but playing this game

One of the most complex strategy games that teaches you complete information in the field of history, politics, religion, society, economy, culture and the progress of science in a very entertaining way.

I realized I’ve never reviewed Civ 6. Just look at my playtime; it says everything. The game is truly amazing, and with some mods, the playability and overall experience have been taken to the next level. Before Civ 7 arrives, I want to give Civ 6 a big thumbs up!

Based on the number of unintuitive exploits it takes to play optimally, I don't think it's a particularly well-designed game (e.g. neglecting tech & culture advancements to keep district costs down, or feudalism civic to exploit against exponentially escalating builder costs). It can still be fun though, if you just play against the stupid AI and ignore the exploits; especially with the introduction of the district system which makes city planning much more fun than Civ V.

Do not waste your time of money... Go back and play ANY other Civ game. I am not sure what I played, but it was only like Civ on the most surface level. To much core game play changed, and not for the better. Not able to build roads where you want them. The whole districts is annoying, why can I only place them on spots with resources that I then lose?. Same with wonders? Why am I placing them on a map at all? I have been playing these since CIV 1 on Win3.1, and this is the worst of all Civs... and I am including Civ clones from other studios.

I've been playing Civ for many years and like playing the older games. This one though has captured my attention for a great many hours. Finding the right maps with the right leader is an entertaining adventure and gradually raising the skill level will give you endless hours of playtime.

~ DIFFICULTY ~

🔲 My 90 year old grandma could play it
🔲 Easy
☑️ Normal
🔲 Hard
🔲 Near Impossible

~ GRAPHICS ~

🔲 MS Paint
🔲 Bad
🔲 Meh
🔲 Graphics don't matter in this game
🔲 Good
🔲 Beautiful
☑️ Masterpiece

~ MUSIC ~

🔲 Bad
🔲 Not special
☑️ Good
🔲 Beautiful

~ STORY ~

☑️ This game has no story
🔲 Like playing Temple Runners for the story
🔲 It's there for the people who want it
🔲 Well written
🔲 Epic story

~ REQUIREMENTS ~

🔲 You can run it on a microwave
☑️ Average
🔲 High end
🔲 NASA computer

~ LENGTH ~

🔲 Very Short (0 - 3 hours)
🔲 Short (3 - 15 hours)
🔲 Average (15-50 hours)
🔲 Long (50-90 hours)
🔲 Extremely long (90-110 hours)
☑️ No ending

~ FUN ~

🔲 I'd rather watch paint dry
🔲 Hard to enjoy
🔲 Repetitive
☑️ Actually pretty amusing
🔲 Ride of your life

~ REPLAYABILITY ~

🔲 It's a one-time experience
🔲 Only for achievements
🔲 If you wait a few months/years
🔲 Definitely
☑️ Infinitely

~ WORTH BUYING ~

🔲 No
🔲 Wait for sale
☑️ Yes

Civilization VI is a masterpiece that redefines the genre. With its deep mechanics, stunning visuals, and endless replayability, Civ VI offers an unparalleled experience that both long-time fans and newcomers can appreciate. Whether you're a seasoned strategist or a curious explorer, this game is an absolute must-play.

A World That Breathes Life
One of the first things you'll notice about Civilization VI is its vibrant and visually stunning art style. The colorful, hand-painted aesthetic makes every map feel alive, whether you're navigating lush jungles, snow-capped mountains, or sprawling deserts. Cities grow dynamically on the map, expanding outward in a way that feels organic and visually rewarding. The animations, from the bustling city centers to the expressive leaders, are rich with personality and detail. This level of artistry not only enhances immersion but also makes the game accessible and inviting.

Depth That Rewards Strategy
Civilization VI's gameplay is a perfect balance of complexity and accessibility. At its core, the game remains true to the series' hallmark formula: guiding a civilization from the dawn of humanity to the modern age. However, Civ VI introduces several innovative mechanics that elevate the experience.

The district system is a standout feature, allowing players to specialize cities by building districts for science, culture, religion, or military. This adds a new layer of strategic depth, as placement on the map and adjacency bonuses can significantly impact your civilization's efficiency. It’s a satisfying puzzle to solve and ensures that every decision feels meaningful.

The tech and civics trees are another highlight, splitting technological and cultural advancements into separate paths. This dual progression system provides more flexibility and rewards players who adapt their strategies to their surroundings. The inclusion of eurekas and inspirations—boosts that speed up research when specific objectives are met—encourages experimentation and exploration.

Dynamic Diplomacy and Engaging Leaders
Civ VI excels in its portrayal of diplomacy and leader interactions. Each leader has a distinct personality and agenda, influenced by both historical context and in-game developments. For example, Cleopatra might favor players with a strong military presence, while Gandhi may prioritize peace and religion. These dynamic behaviors create a sense of unpredictability and make interactions feel genuine.

The diplomacy system has been refined to allow for more nuanced negotiations. Alliances, trade agreements, and joint wars offer a range of options to navigate the political landscape. The addition of emergencies—global events triggered by a player’s actions, such as conquering a city-state—adds a layer of drama and tension, encouraging cooperation or rivalry among civilizations.

Endless Replayability
One of Civilization VI's greatest strengths is its replayability. The combination of procedurally generated maps, diverse civilizations, and multiple victory conditions ensures that no two games are ever the same. Whether you aim for a cultural victory with France, a scientific triumph with Korea, or a religious conquest with Arabia, the variety of playstyles keeps the experience fresh and engaging.

The expansions, Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm, further enrich the game by introducing mechanics like loyalty, natural disasters, and climate change. These additions deepen the strategic possibilities and make the world feel even more dynamic and responsive.

A Game for Everyone
Civilization VI is remarkably accessible for a game of its depth. The tutorial system is robust, guiding new players through the basics without overwhelming them. At the same time, the game offers enough complexity to challenge even the most seasoned veterans. The scalable difficulty levels ensure that players of all skill levels can find a rewarding experience.

Multiplayer mode adds another layer of excitement, allowing you to test your strategic mettle against friends or strangers. The shared moments of triumph and betrayal make for unforgettable stories and elevate the social aspect of the game.

A Symphony of Sound and Atmosphere
The audio design in Civilization VI is nothing short of spectacular. The soundtrack, composed by Christopher Tin and others, evolves as your civilization progresses, blending traditional and modern themes. The iconic theme song, “Sogno di Volare,” perfectly encapsulates the spirit of exploration and ambition. Sound effects, from the clanging of swords to the hum of modern machinery, further immerse you in the world.

Conclusion: A Timeless Classic
Civilization VI is a triumph of game design, offering a rich and rewarding experience that stands the test of time. Its blend of strategic depth, visual splendor, and dynamic gameplay makes it a standout in the genre. Whether you're forging alliances, waging wars, or building wonders, every moment in Civ VI feels meaningful and satisfying.

For fans of strategy games, Civilization VI is a must-have. It captures the essence of what makes the series great while introducing innovations that push the boundaries of the genre. With its endless possibilities and unparalleled charm, Civ VI is not just a game — it's an adventure through the ages.

Single employee fixed over 20% of the UI bugs, give that man a f'n raise.
I used to play a lot of Civ 1 and just got this one.
My first match took over 5 hours with 450 turns.

originally it was difficult to switch from civ 5 to civ 6 because the graphics turned me off and i found it difficult to look at the map. but i really like this game. i assume i will have the same problem switching over to civ 7

Build, stack, delete. I fucking hate the fact that i stay up two fucking hours of my life trying to outperform my neighbours just to be obliterated by a fucking raider tribe with max attack skills

Great game, except it crashes all the time on my M2pro Macbook pro running Mac OS 15.1. It did take me some time to adapt to it after moving from Civ5. After 3400+ hours of Civ5 I was ready for something new. Trying a non-admin account to run the game from. We'll see if that helps.

Please fix Civ 5! The recent update removed the launcher and now the game is unplayable!