Sid Meier's Civilization V

Civilization VI will go down in history as the most fully-featured launch version in the series. Many of those are smartly revamped versions of Civ classics, buy it finds its own identity with great new ideas like spread-out cities, customizeable governments, research boosts, and leader agendas. And even though the AI has some improving to do, it can put up enough of a fight to make world domination a challenge.

The series that cemented the 4X strategy formula continues to stand the test of time with a stellar entry that adds richness and depth in expected places.

Civ 6 harnesses the series' great strengths and adds wonderful new features of its own in an accessible and compelling entry.

Sight, sound, and systems harmonize to make Civilization 6 the liveliest, most engrossing, most rewarding, most challenging 4X in any corner of the earth.

Civ 6 is smarter and more varied, but doesn't show much progress

Civilization remains as addictive as ever. As soon as you start building your empire, say goodbye to your weekend

With Civ 6, I really do feel like I’m playing Civ right out of the gates – it’s remarkable how much it reminds me of the first ever game in the series. There’s a certain balance and pull of development vs competition that’s really present and correct, and now it’s accompanied by this delightful, colourful, busy appearance it feels surprisingly fresh, once one can get past its failure to explain stuff like Amenities.

The old Civ mantra of “one more turn” is stronger than ever. The additions make for a much deeper strategy game and the inclusion of most of the features from previous entries makes for a remarkably well-rounded launch. It will be interesting to see where Civ VI goes, but I have a feeling there won’t be nearly as dramatic a change as Civ V saw.

And like I’ve hopefully got across, it has been a success! This is still a Civilization game, and it’s still a very good strategy game. It just also happens to be the weakest entry in that series, the one least equipped to endure this long of a wait between games.

Civilization VI is a masterpiece. It’s the best entry yet in the esteemed 25-year-old PC strategy series.