Every Civilization Game Ranked From Worst to Best

The Sid Meier’s Civilization video game series has been a staple in the gaming world for nearly as long as human civilization itself. Although it hasn’t always been easy for newcomers to grasp due to its complex mechanics, over the last decade or so, it has grown more popular and accessible. With each new iteration of Civilization, a host of fresh features are incorporated that significantly alter the gaming experience as you progress through the various eras in the series.

Over time, multiple Civilization games have been released, yet in truth, just nine main titles can be found on conventional PC and gaming console systems. Here’s a list, arranged in order from least preferred to most preferred, showcasing each Civilization game.

This version aims to make the information easy-to-understand and engaging by using conversational language and a clear structure.

9) Civilization Revolution

The initial Civilization title specifically designed for console players was “Civilization Revolution”. To attract console gamers who might not have experienced a Civilization game before, many complex mechanics from the PC version were streamlined and made simpler. Furthermore, gameplay sessions typically lasted hours rather than days to accommodate console users. These modifications aimed to make the Civilization franchise more accessible for newcomers on consoles.

For longtime enthusiasts of Civilization, the game felt surprisingly straightforward and lacked the usual complexity that characterizes a standard Civilization experience. What was noticeably absent was the depth that gives Civilization its unique charm and lasting impression.

8) Civilization: Beyond Earth

As a space-faring gamer, the idea of Civilization in the cosmos seemed like a no-brainer, especially with all the buzz about lunar and Martian colonization. The possibilities were endless when it came to reimagining the classic game of Civilization, showcasing humanity’s steady advancement as we established ourselves on another world. However, when it comes to Civilization: Beyond Earth, the execution fell short.

The concepts and operations of the game “Beyond Earth” were generally coherent. During gameplay, you could strive for harmony (acclimating to the alien planet), purity (modifying the world to resemble Earth), or supremacy (blending mankind with technology to evolve into a digital consciousness) over the native planet. This trio of affinities was an intriguing concept for the evolution of a civilization on a new planet, as the barbarians were replaced by the planet’s indigenous aliens. However, the technological development tree proved somewhat complex, and the distinctiveness between civilizations wasn’t always apparent. In essence, each new round often lacked significant conflict.

7) Sid Meier’s Civilization

The original civilization that sparked the series was firmly established in 1992. From the initial release of Civilization, several key ideas took root: guide a primitive civilization up the technological ladder to reach the modern era, and construct an enduring empire that stands the test of time. Familiar elements also originated in Civilization, such as expanding and nurturing a population, constructing infrastructure to combat discontent, and facing civil unrest when large armies are deployed outside their home territories – reflecting national discord caused by overly aggressive military strategies.

The fundamentals for the series were firmly established with the initial release of Civilization, but each subsequent version of Civilization has been constructed upon the remains of its predecessor. With Firaxis Games now working on Civilization VII, moving backwards in the series to play earlier versions could be quite challenging for contemporary players. Although the fundamental mechanics remain consistent across all Civilizations, the ways these mechanics are implemented and the graphics associated with them have evolved significantly over time. So, in a sense, Civilization can be compared to the prehistoric age when contrasted with the modern era of Civilization VII.

6) Sid Meier’s Civilization 2

The sequel to the original “Civilization,” named “Civilization II,” was released during Microsoft’s prime time on the Windows 95 platform, and it quickly became a fan favorite. Compared to its successors, Civ II offered a more welcoming experience for new players, featuring updated graphics and an accessible gameplay system that allowed novices to dive into the game without facing steep learning curves.

In addition to introducing several new elements such as diplomatic standing and waste from manufacturing processes, Civilization II distinguished itself by presenting an isometric view instead of the top-down perspective found in the original game. This change provided a more accessible and immersive experience for each gameplay session. However, it’s important to note that due to its age, the mechanics and features of Civilization II may feel less sophisticated compared to the advancements made within the series since then.

5) Civilization 7

In the latest installment of the Civilization series, titled Civilization VII, an innovative leap has been made to steer the franchise towards a fresh path. Unlike previous games where you’d play as one civilization throughout, in this version, the civilization you start with isn’t necessarily the one you’ll end up with. As you progress through eras, you’ll have the opportunity to choose from a selection of civilizations, each offering unique advantages based on your next choice. The majority of your military units will be decommissioned, cities will shrink down to towns (with certain exceptions), and most political ties with AI nations will be reset. This reset brings new opportunities as each new era presents fresh challenges, preventing a single player from dominating early or mid-game and experiencing a monotonous late game.

In Civilization VII, as the “Towers of Oblivion” phase concludes, a fresh challenge arises in the late-game scenario: Managing colossal armies spread across numerous territories and coordinating countless workers to continue city enhancements becomes a daunting task. Unlike its predecessors, Civilization VII streamlines upgrades within cities and consolidates armies under military commanders for easier movement. However, the game’s primary concern is that its military and war mechanics could use some refinement, as combat often proves frustrating during play.

4) Civilization 5

If you recognize that Gandhi is the response to the query about which civilization has the highest probability of declaring war and annihilating you, then you are familiar with Civilization V (often abbreviated as Civ V). Civ V made significant strides in advancing the franchise by breaking away from traditional concepts. For instance, the concept of “stacks of doom” no longer applies, meaning each hexagon can now only accommodate a single military unit and an additional non-military unit like a worker. Previously, Civilization operated on a square grid, but Civ V upgraded to six-sided hexagons, introducing new advantages and obstacles when constructing an empire.

Referring to Gandhi as a nuclear leader can be seen as a creative tribute to his portrayal in the original Civilization game, where there was a popular rumor that Gandhi had a programming glitch causing him to be more prone to using nukes due to an alleged coding error. Given Gandhi’s peaceful personality, this humorous quirk resonated with players and was retained as an inside joke in Civilization V for longtime enthusiasts of the series.

3) Civilization 6

In Civilization VI, several advancements were made to address issues found in its predecessor, Civilization V. One major improvement was addressing the difficulties encountered when moving large armies and managing an excess of worker units. In this new version, workers are replaced by builders who can only accomplish three tasks before retiring. This makes them more affordable to produce, so you can create them quickly when necessary changes arise, but prevents a buildup in the later stages of the game. Additionally, multiple units of the same kind can be merged together in the late game to reduce military overload, making these combined armies harder for opponents to challenge (a compromise between the ‘stacks of doom’ and individual corps).

In a distinct development, too, the city and infrastructure construction in Civilization VI underwent a radical transformation. The old system where every city could construct any building was abandoned. Now, cities construct specialized districts such as the Science District. This shift allows them to focus on specific areas, but the number of available districts is limited to prevent overgrowth, making city planning more strategic. However, the AI, while praised for improvement, struggled significantly when it came to dealing with threats from other nations. They were quick to declare war, yet ineffective in conducting those wars, making military conflicts less of a challenge. Instead, the computer’s focus shifted towards rapidly advancing through the science tech tree, which diminished the excitement of the classical and medieval eras of the game.

2) Sid Meier’s Civilization 3

If Civilization I and II served as prototypes, Civilization III marked the franchise’s transition into maturity. This was the first Civilization game developed by Firaxis Games, co-founded by Sid Meier. Compared to its predecessors, Civilization III introduced a multitude of new features. For instance, it allowed for cultural and diplomatic victories, and expanded on resources such as strategic, luxury, and bonus hexes.

The AI in every Civilization game has become more intelligent, but the consequence is often limited conflicts due to scientific trade agreement exclusions. However, Civilization III introduced formidable computer opponents militarily. Moreover, the inclusion of culture meant that cities could be at risk of uprisings from the threat posed by a culturally superior AI civilization.

The add-ons for Civilization III were a good investment, as they provided great value. Among these, Civilization III: Play the World stood out due to its multiplayer feature, which some might argue should have been part of the original game. The most impressive DLC, however, was Civilization III: Conquests. This expansion excelled because it introduced scenarios, allowing players to either relive or reimagine history through scenarios such as The Rise of Rome, Fall of Rome, and Sengoku Sword of the Shogun. Additionally, both expansions enriched the gameplay experience by adding numerous new playable nations, thereby enhancing the game’s overall replayability.

1) Civilization 4

As a dedicated gamer, let me share my enthusiasm for another game boasting a Grammy Award-winning theme song – “Civilization IV”. From the moment Baba Yetu’s enchanting melody fills your ears to the time you set foot on Alpha Centauri, it’s an exhilarating journey. What truly makes this game stand out is that each technological advancement was a delight, as every technology unveiled came with a fitting quote, brilliantly narrated by none other than Leonard Nimoy himself.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but marvel at the leap forward that Civilization IV represented for me personally, with its groundbreaking 3D graphics setting it apart from the first three games in the series. The game also introduced two exciting downloadable content packs, Civilization: Warlords and Civilization: Beyond the Sword. Among these, Beyond the Sword stood out as the superior expansion, offering the unique ability to establish corporations and colonies. Corporations could be expanded across borders to form multinational conglomerates, while colonies would emerge when building three or more cities on a new continent, bringing numerous advantages. Civilization IV also marked the end of an era with the infamous “stacks of doom,” as later Civilizations introduced a unit limit per square. The memories of facing off against Montezuma’s formidable stacks of doom still bring a nostalgic pang, reminding me of a cherished period in gaming history.

2025-06-25 22:11