The Civilization series of video games’ appeal is clear; the strategy role-playing games allow the player to guide an entire nation’s development, from the dawn of time to the near future. Having such power is immense. So, it should come as no surprise that Civilization is one of the most popular strategy-focused video game series of all time.
In fact, since its inception, there have been over 66 different versions of Civilization that have combined to sell well over 33 million copies. And the series shows no signs of slowing down. The latest version, Civilization 6, was the fastest-selling release in the series’ history. But, if you’ve run through Civilization 6 countless times and you’re looking for something new, read on for our top eleven picks for fans of the Civilization series.
1) Age of Empires
First released back in the 1990s, Age of Empires is the second most popular real-time strategy video game series after Civilization. The two are giants of their genre, known for their unique gameplay that allows players to employ multiple possible methods to achieve victory over their opponents; this style is often described as 4X gameplay.
4X gets its name from the conventional strategies used in these games to combat your rivals: eXploring, eXpanding, eXploiting, and eXterminating. Age of Empires has a heavier focus on military action and conquest than the Civilization series does typically. Still, it does have an increased emphasis on the historical empires that it draws on for both the series’ title and setting.
2) Freeciv
Freeciv has been kicking around the internet since the mid-1990s, when it was started by college students looking for a 4X game like Civilization that they could play online. Since its initial release in 1996, it has grown and expanded into one of the best strategy games available and continues to see updates today.
It features excellent customizability. For example, players can choose a graphical style that roughly correlates with Civilization I, II, III or IV, in terms of style and presentation. The best part is that Freeciv is entirely free and open-source software, so it is available on various platforms such as Linux, Windows and can also be easily modded. If you are looking for an old-school, no-frills, Civilization experience, Freeciv might be the right choice for you.
3) Total War: Three Kingdoms
While Western audiences are not as well known, the Total War series remains enduringly popular, with over 13 releases to date. The latest in the series is Total War: Three Kingdoms, which takes place during the Han dynasty’s Three Kingdoms period.
The use and focus on real Chinese history that this game has is unique amongst other turn-based real-time strategy tactics video games. Those who reach the end will certainly have learned something about actual battles and the history of the period; the fidelity to detail is excellent. Like Age of Empires, this series is almost exclusively focused on the military aspects of the 4X genre, but for those that don’t mind this particular flavor of gameplay, there is a lot here to enjoy.
4) Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri
While it may seem like cheating to have another Sid Meier’s game on this list, as he was also the creator of Civilization, the truth is that the man is a giant in the strategy-video game genre and his presence is almost inescapable. This is for a good reason, as Sid Meier has designed some of the greatest strategy games of all time, amongst which Alpha Centauri must be considered.
Originally conceived as the science-fiction version of Civilization, these roots can be evident, and the game focuses on all four quadrants of classic 4X gameplay. In this way, it plays more like Civilization I & II, or Freeciv, instead of some of the other more military or space-exploration focused games on this list.
5) Stellaris
Much like the previous game on this list, Alpha Centauri, this grand strategy game, blasts off into the future and space instead of Civilization’s more historically grounded Earth setting. This isn’t the only place that these two games differ, as Stellaris is much more focused on combat and diplomacy.
This makes its gameplay style more akin to Age of Empires than the fuller 4X experience you would find in the Civilization series. However, this setting and style mean that Stellaris introduces numerous unique and well crafter alien races, whose intentions players must suss out before deciding to pursue diplomacy or war. If all of the options and systems of a regular 4X genre game can prove to be overwhelming for you, Stellaris’ combat-focused style of gameplay might be a right choice.
6) Railroad Tycoon
Suppose you are looking for a different type of simulation game. In that case, you may find that while the business-focused simulation found in the Railroad Tycoon series is different, it can be no less thrilling or cut-throat than that of its strategy genre brethren.
In this series, which last saw a release in 2006 with Sid Meier’s Railroads!, players take control of a train company. In doing so, they must build out routes, decide what goods should be transported, and purchase new locomotives. The challenge and strategy come with trying to outmaneuver your rival Tycoons to gain market dominance. While you can’t sack your rival’s capital like in Civilization or Age of Empires, you can attempt hostile corporate takeovers, which are almost as fun.
7) Imagine Earth
This futuristic simulation game has you establishing and managing huge colonies and cities as you explore the uncharted reaches of space. The game focuses much more on supply management and exploration than any of the other 4X areas.
In Imagine Earth, players will have to deal with the consequences of their ever-growing civilizations in a unique way, with the effects of their planetary colonization resulting in climate change-induced difficulties. As the player explores the galaxy, their trading routes will grow in complexity and length. This makes the game great for anyone who enjoys management of good and trading systems, as they will likely enjoy building up their galactic empire in Imagine Earth.
8) Tropico
In the Tropico series of strategy games, you take the role of leader for life, “El Presidente,” and are given control of your very own island that you may rule as a banana republic. The unique tropical setting gives this 4X-style game a certain charm that can make one feel like they are on vacation.
But not everything is sunshine and flowers, thanks to the game’s unique gameplay system that has you toeing-the-line between liberating and repressing your tropical citizens. Much more than any other city-building game on this list, the game concerns you with your virtual citizen’s opinion of your leadership. If you gain popularity, you may choose to have free elections; if you struggle to manage your island, your people may rebel against guerilla-style attacks.
9) Cities: Skylines
City Skyline is exclusively a city management game, which makes it a good choice for fans of Civilization who enjoy building up their empires much more than they do the exploration or combat components. In the game, players will have control of every aspect of their cities planning and growth.
This means players will be responsible for everything from zoning for housing to building roads. The amount of control that the player has over every infrastructure detail is impressive. They are responsible for making fully functioning power grids, transportation networks, and sewer systems to see their cities grow.
10) Stardew Valley
This charming 16-bit style farming simulator contains much more than meets the eye. Beyond its charming graphics is a surprisingly deep strategy game, which sees players controlling their small-town farm over several years, with each day being played out individually.
Players will start off inheriting the family farm and are tasked with restoring it to its former glory. However, the game’s real depth comes not from virtual farming but its RPG-like mechanics, dungeon exploration, and a surprisingly deep dating simulator. While these features are entirely optional for those who just want to farm, they provide a ton of fun and additional experiences for players looking for a different sim experience style.
11) Slay the Spire
Slay the Spire is completely off-genre from the Civilization series, but for those that might be intrigued by its deck-building card game mechanics and its roguelike style, this game has a lot to offer. Slay the Spire is at its heart a strategy game that requires players to build the best deck of cards possible to defeat enemies and progress through the game’s titular Spire.
The strategy revolves around the management of the player’s deck, for which they are continually getting new cards as they progress. Much of the game’s fun is in trying to get rid of weaker cards in your deck by replacing them with stronger ones. Slay the Spire also manages to remain fresh, even after repeated play, thanks in part to the procedurally generated levels it employs.
