Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI similar games & best alternatives

Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI

Mac, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Android, iOS • 2016

Should you play it?

Expand your empire, advance your culture and go head-to-head against history’s greatest leaders. Will your civilization stand the test of time?

What works
  • Deep and complex strategic gameplay
  • High replayability with many civilizations and strategies
  • Immersive historical context and rich music
  • Long game sessions with strong player engagement
  • Active modding community and expansions
Things to keep in mind
  • Ai is often criticized as weak or erratic
  • Steep learning curve and high complexity
  • Long game length can be exhausting
  • Some ui and interface usability issues
  • Expensive dlc pricing and fragmented content

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Civilization IV®: Warlords

  • Sid Meier's Civilization® III Complete

  • Sid Meier's Civilization® IV

  • Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword

  • Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization

  • Rising Lords

  • NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Sphere of Influence

  • Europa Universalis IV

  • Sid Meier's Civilization® V
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Civilization IV®: Warlords

  • Battle Fleet 2

  • Strategic Command WWII: World at War
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Competence

    Rogue Voltage
  • Continuation

    Avorion
  • Growth

    Imperiums: Greek Wars

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Status, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Leadership. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fantasy, Intimacy.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have high control over city building, economic management, diplomacy, and strategic decisions with freedom to choose playstyle."

    Capsule for Ymir Ymir

    "Players have high control over city planning, policy choices, government types, and strategic decisions, allowing personalized playstyles."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    5

    "The game demands skillful planning, strategic thinking, and mastery of complex mechanics with meaningful feedback on performance."

    Capsule for Rogue Voltage Rogue Voltage

    "The game demands strategic thinking, complex planning, and mastery of multiple interlocking systems, rewarding skillful play."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    3

    "Includes multiplayer and AI opponents with strategic competition, but also supports solo play and personal goals."

    Capsule for Shadow Empire Shadow Empire

    "Includes multiplayer and AI opponents with ranking and challenge elements, but many players also enjoy solo and personal goals."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    5

    "Highly addictive with long play sessions and strong player attachment; many report hundreds to thousands of hours played."

    Capsule for Avorion Avorion

    "Highly addictive with very long game sessions and strong player attachment; many report playing hundreds or thousands of hours."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    1

    "Supports alliances and multiplayer cooperation, but much gameplay is focused on individual empire management and competition."

    Capsule for ENDLESS™ Space - Definitive Edition ENDLESS™ Space - Definitive Edition

    "Supports multiplayer cooperation and alliances, but much gameplay is focused on individual empire management and competition."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Extensive city building, unit customization, and modding support encourage creative play and personalization."

    Capsule for Deity Empires Deity Empires

    "City building with district placement, policy card customization, and diverse civilization strategies encourage creative approaches."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    2

    "Players can exert dominance over others via conquest and diplomacy, but interactions often emphasize balance and fairness."

    Capsule for Galactic Civilizations® II: Ultimate Edition Galactic Civilizations® II: Ultimate Edition

    "Players often engage in warfare and dominance, but diplomacy and balanced interactions are also important."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game as a deep immersive escape, losing track of real time and engaging in alternate histories."

    Capsule for Sid Meier's Civilization® V Sid Meier's Civilization® V

    "Players use the game as a deep immersive escape with complex alternate histories and long play sessions."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -3

    "Most players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for Total War: THREE KINGDOMS Total War: THREE KINGDOMS

    "Most players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "The game encourages trying different strategies, roles, and mods, fostering exploration of mechanics."

    Capsule for Mount & Blade Mount & Blade

    "The game encourages trying new strategies, civs, and mechanics with many expansions and modding options."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Exploration of the map and discovery of resources, other civilizations, and new territories is a core gameplay element."

    Capsule for Sid Meier's Civilization® III Complete Sid Meier's Civilization® III Complete

    "Exploration of large maps and discovery of new civilizations, resources, and wonders is a core gameplay element."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Players express themselves through civilization choices, city placement, and strategic development."

    Capsule for Sid Meier's Civilization® V Sid Meier's Civilization® V

    "Players express themselves through civilization choice, city layout, government policies, and strategic style."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    -2

    "The game is grounded in historical settings with some fictionalized campaigns but mostly realistic scenarios."

    Capsule for Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition

    "While the game is stylized and includes fictional elements, it is grounded in historical and plausible scenarios."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    1

    "There is some community interaction and multiplayer, but most play is solo with limited social bonding."

    Capsule for Victoria 3 Victoria 3

    "There is a community and multiplayer aspect, but many players also play solo with limited social interaction."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on learning complex systems, improving strategic skills, and mastering game mechanics."

    Capsule for Imperiums: Greek Wars Imperiums: Greek Wars

    "Strong emphasis on learning, mastering complex systems, and personal development of strategic skills."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "The game is sedentary with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 2 (2009) Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 2 (2009)

    "The game is sedentary with long sessions and no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires sustained attention and active decision-making; not suited for casual or background play."

    Capsule for Football Manager 2024 Football Manager 2024

    "Requires constant attention and decision-making; not suited for casual or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -3

    "Social interactions are mostly strategic and competitive rather than close or emotional relationships."

    Capsule for Dune: Spice Wars Dune: Spice Wars

    "Social interactions are mostly strategic and surface-level rather than close emotional relationships."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    4

    "Players lead entire civilizations, manage diplomacy, and guide decision-making."

    Capsule for Sid Meier's Civilization® V Sid Meier's Civilization® V

    "Players lead civilizations, manage resources, and guide decisions with significant authority."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Strong progression through technology, city development, and military upgrades."

    Capsule for Sid Meier's Civilization® IV Sid Meier's Civilization® IV

    "Strong progression through technology, culture, city development, and military power accumulation."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    1

    "Some players find the game relaxing and nostalgic, but the challenging gameplay and AI difficulty create tension."

    Capsule for Battle Realms: Zen Edition Battle Realms: Zen Edition

    "While some find the game relaxing, others experience tension due to complex strategy and AI challenges."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Enjoyable visual style and music provide sensory stimulation, though not intense."

    Capsule for GET OUT! GET OUT!

    "Enjoyable visual style and music provide sensory pleasure, though not intense sensory stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    1

    "Recognition occurs mainly through multiplayer and community achievements, but not a primary motivator."

    Capsule for Panzer Corps 2 Panzer Corps 2

    "Recognition occurs mainly in multiplayer and community contexts, but is not a primary motivator."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

    "Simple story with some lore and references, but gameplay is not heavily narrative-driven."

    Capsule for Kaelaverse: Pemascape Kaelaverse: Pemascape

    "No traditional narrative but rich historical context and emergent stories from gameplay."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    5

    "Core gameplay is highly strategic, requiring planning, problem solving, and tactical decision making."

    Capsule for Astral Throne Astral Throne

    "Core gameplay is highly strategic, requiring planning, problem solving, and tactical decision-making."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Some tension and challenge in combat and exploration, but overall a measured and thoughtful pace."

    Capsule for Horizon's Gate Horizon's Gate

    "Some thrill from risk and tension in warfare and diplomacy, but overall a measured and thoughtful pace."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "High perceived value for time invested; DLC pricing criticized but base game offers extensive content."

    Capsule for Europa Universalis IV Europa Universalis IV

    "High perceived value for time invested, especially with expansions and modding, though base price considered high by some."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    2

    "Combat and military conquest are important, though balanced with political and economic gameplay."

    Capsule for Dune: Spice Wars Dune: Spice Wars

    "Combat and conquest are important, but balanced with constructive city building and diplomacy."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players must manage threats, defend territory, and survive attacks in a competitive environment."

    Capsule for Supremacy: 1914 Supremacy: 1914

    "Players must manage threats, resources, and defense to survive and thrive in a competitive environment."

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Last update: 01/06/2026