Top 7 Games Like Civilization

Hello there, fellow gamers! 👋 If you are a fan of Civilization, the iconic turn-based strategy game that lets you build your own empire from scratch, then you are in for a treat. We have compiled a list of the top 7 games like Civilization that will satisfy your strategy craving and keep you engaged for hours and hours on end. Whether you are a seasoned player or new to the genre, there is something for everyone on this list, so get ready to conquer the world!

Despite being over 25 years old, Civilization has stood the test of time and remains one of the most popular strategy games out there. It has spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs, but sometimes you just want to try something new. That’s where this list comes in! We have scoured the internet and tested countless games to bring you the cream of the crop. From historical epics to sprawling space operas, these games offer a similar gameplay experience to Civilization, while also adding their own unique twists. So grab your mouse, adjust your settings, and let’s dive in!

Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri

If you’re a fan of Civilization but you’re looking for something different, Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri might just be the game for you. Alpha Centauri is a science fiction-themed turn-based strategy game that takes place on a distant planet. Players lead one of seven factions, each with a unique ideology and leader, and must navigate the dangers of the new world. The game features a complex tech tree that includes things like terraforming, weapons development, genetics, and much more.

Sci-fi Civilization

Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri is often referred to as “Civilization in space”. The game features similar mechanics to Civilization, but with a futuristic twist. Players must explore their new planet, form alliances, and discover new technologies. The factions are all unique, presenting different playstyles and challenges. The game also features a rich storyline, with each faction having their own backstory, motivations, and goals.

Multiple Win Conditions

One of the strengths of Alpha Centauri is the variety of ways players can achieve victory. In addition to the traditional military and economic victories, there are also options for secret project victories and diplomatic victories. Each victory condition requires a different strategy and approach, making the game a unique challenge each time you play.

Flexible Government Systems

Alpha Centauri features a unique government system that allows players to choose from a variety of social policies and government styles. Each policy and style has its own benefits and drawbacks, and players can choose to switch their policies as they see fit. This allows players to tailor their government to their playstyle, creating a more personalized experience.

Endless Legend

Endless Legend provides players with an engaging mix of fantasy and strategy. The game is set in a detailed world filled with unique factions, spells, and creatures. Players can explore the richly-detailed world, where each faction has its own specific traits and quirks to explore. As you progress through the game, you’ll learn more about the strange world and its inhabitants and uncover its secrets.

Blend of Fantasy and Strategy

Endless Legend’s blend of fantasy and strategy is one of its strongest features. The game features a unique civilization-building system where players can manage multiple cities, upgrade their infrastructure, and explore new territories. Each civilization has unique traits, technologies, and units to build, making each playthrough a new experience.

The game’s fantasy setting is equally captivating. Players can summon magical creatures, perform spells, and build legendary buildings with powerful bonuses. The game has a rich lore, with secrets and mysteries to uncover. The game’s innovative lore system allows players to unlock new cards that provide new insights into the game’s story and world.

City Management Depth

Endless Legend has a deep and engrossing city management system. Players must manage their city’s infrastructure, population, resources, and production. The game’s population management system is dynamic, as each citizen has unique needs and desires that must be met. Players must provide food, shelter, and entertainment to keep their population content and productive.

The game’s resource management system is equally complex. Players must balance the resource needs of their fledgling civilization with their exploration and conquest objectives. The game’s strategic tech tree system and customizable unit mechanics allow players to create powerful armies and dominate the world.

Combat Variety

Endless Legend’s tactical battle system is one of the most innovative and engaging in the genre. Players can engage in battles across a variety of terrain types, with terrain factors affecting the outcome of the battle. The game’s richly-detailed battle animations and diverse army compositions make each battle a unique experience. The hero units provide additional strategic depth, as they can lead your armies, cast spells, and gain powerful bonuses over time.

Overall, Endless Legend is a must-try for anybody who loves strategy games with an imaginative twist. Its deep systems and richly-detailed world provide a unique and rewarding experience for both veteran and novice strategy gamers.

If you love the nation-building aspect of Civ, you’ll definitely want to try SimCity. Construct your own city complete with all the amenities of modern living, and manage resources to ensure its success.

Stellaris

If you’re looking for a game that lets you build your own intergalactic empire and interact with different alien species, then Stellaris is the game for you. With customizable species, ship designs and interstellar politics, this game offers a unique and exciting gameplay experience. Here are some of the game features:

Grand Space Empire Building

In Stellaris, you start by creating your own empire from scratch. You get to choose your species, their physical traits, and the type of government you want to run. As you progress, you get to research new technologies, expand your territory, and form alliances or wage wars with other empires.

The game is open-ended, meaning there’s no fixed way of playing it. You can opt to play as a peaceful empire, or you can become a ruthless conqueror who seeks to dominate the entire galaxy.

Research and Discovery Focus

Stellaris puts great emphasis on scientific exploration of the galaxy’s mysteries and anomalies. As you play, you will encounter different species, star systems, and technological wonders that will help you expand your knowledge and influence.

You get to meet other alien races and learn about their cultures and histories. You can also encounter anomalies that will challenge your crew and offer new ways to progress.

Crisis Management

Events that threaten to destroy entire civilizations are a significant part of the game. You’ll face crises like wars, economic downturns, rebellions, and even alien invasions. Your response to these crises will shape your empire’s fate, and you will have to make difficult choices to ensure its survival.

With its grand space empire building, research and discovery focus, and crisis management, Stellaris guarantees endless hours of immersive gameplay and adventure.

Anno 1800

If you’re a fan of turn-based games like Civilization, but want to explore a different time period, you might want to give Anno 1800 a try. This industrial revolution simulation game challenges you to build a bustling city by managing production chains and trading with other players. But it’s not just about amassing the most wealth; you’ll need to keep your citizens happy by providing them with homes, hospitals, and other essential services.

Industrial Revolution Simulation

Anno 1800 is set during an exciting time in history, when the world was rapidly changing due to the shift from an agrarian to an industrial society. You’ll get to experience the thrill of technological progress as you research new inventions, build factories, and improve your city’s infrastructure. And since the game emphasizes realistic production chains, you’ll need to carefully balance your resources and make strategic decisions to achieve success.

Dynamic Economy

Like in Civilization, trade is a crucial aspect of Anno 1800. However, this game takes things a step further by incorporating a dynamic economy that’s driven by supply and demand. This means that the prices of goods will fluctuate depending on how much of them is available and how much people want them. Additionally, events like strikes or natural disasters can affect trade, forcing you to adapt your strategies to stay competitive.

Multiplayer Capabilities

While Anno 1800 can be played solo, it also offers cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes for up to four players. In these modes, you can either work together to achieve a common goal or compete against each other to see who can build the best city. And since the gameplay is nonviolent, you won’t have to worry about battles or other traditional forms of conflict. Instead, you’ll focus on outsmarting your opponents with your economic prowess.

Looking for similar games like Civ? Check out our Pillar article on Civ-like games where we explore the best strategy games in the same vein as the classic Civilization series.

Rise of Nations

If you’re looking for a game that combines the thrill of real-time tactical battles with the depth and strategy of turn-based gameplay, Rise of Nations should be high on your list of options. This game was first released in 2003 by Microsoft Games and remains a classic even today.

Blend of RTS and Turn-Based Systems

One of the main attractions of Rise of Nations is the blend of two distinct gaming models- the real-time tactical battle gameplay and the turn-based strategy elements. The game takes place over several centuries with the player selecting one of 18 nations to play. In the game, you get to create cities, engage in battles, and explore new technologies to advance your civilization. What’s great about Rise of Nations is that you can switch between turn-based and real-time gameplay modes seamlessly, depending on your preference.

Conquer the World Mode

In Rise of Nations, you get to play in Conquer the World mode, which is the equivalent of Civilization’s Domination mode. This mode enables you to select a nation and embark on a campaign to conquer the entire planet. The game is divided into different regions, each with its unique objectives and territories to conquer. The end goal is to conquer it all and become the most potent civilization in the world.

Civilization Advancement Choices

In Rise of Nations, you get to advance your civilization by researching new technologies and improving your culture. Each nation has unique technological and cultural advancements that translate into national bonuses and wonders. You can raise armies, create alliances, and engage in diplomacy to expand your empire.

Rise of Nations is an excellent alternative to Civilization due to its blend of RTS and turn-based gaming models, well-designed conquer the world mode, and unique civilization advancement system. This game has been around for over a decade and still appeals to gamers despite its age. So if you’re a fan of strategy games, Rise of Nations is a fantastic option that you should explore.

If you’re a fan of turn-based strategy games like Civ, you might enjoy Overlord. Conquer lands and vanquish enemies in this critically acclaimed fantasy adventure that will test your tactical skills.

Banished

If you’re looking for a game that combines elements of survival with city building, Banished is a great option. In this game, you’ll be managing a small group of exiled people who need to rebuild their lives from scratch.

Survival City Builder

The game takes place in a medieval setting, and you’ll need to provide your citizens with food, warmth, and shelter to keep them alive. You’ll start by building basic huts, hunting and gathering resources, and gradually building up a self-sufficient community.

One of the unique aspects of this game is that it takes into account the aging of your population. As your citizens grow older, they become less efficient and eventually pass away, so you’ll need to plan ahead to ensure a stable population growth.

In addition, the game features various natural disasters such as fires, floods, and tornadoes that can wipe out your hard-earned progress in an instant, so be prepared!

Complex Building Management

The gameplay also heavily revolves around efficient space and resource management. You’ll need to balance the availability of resources against the demand of your population, while also considering factors such as transportation, storage, and labor.

The building options are also quite extensive, allowing you to create a variety of structures such as farms, mines, and schools. It’s up to you to decide how to allocate your resources effectively to meet the needs of your citizens and grow your town.

Mods and Custom Content

One of the best things about Banished is the active modding community, which has created a wealth of custom content that adds new features and challenges to the base game. From new buildings and resources to entire gameplay overhauls, there’s always something new to discover in Banished.

The game also has official expansions that add new scenarios and challenges to the game, so there’s plenty of replayability here.

Europa Universalis IV

Euro Universalis IV is a grand strategy game that takes you on a journey through centuries of diplomacy and war. With a realistic world map and historical rulers, you get to experience history like never before. The game is developed by Paradox Development Studio and was released in August 2013.

Experience History

Europa Universalis IV immerses you in history with its realistic portrayal of the world in the 15th to 19th century. The game lets you play as different rulers from various countries, each with its unique challenges and opportunities. With so many different starting points, you get to explore various historical events and eras, making each playthrough unique.

Custom Start Dates

One of the unique features of Europa Universalis IV is its custom start dates. You can choose any year between 1444 to 1821 to start your game, affecting the world’s major powers and events. This feature allows players to create alternate histories or challenge themselves by starting from a less powerful position.

Dynamic Colonialism

Colonialism is a significant aspect of Europa Universalis IV’s gameplay. The game’s mechanics affect trade, governance, and cultural clash and create intense power struggles for global dominance. As European powers expand their reach, conflicts with native cultures and other European powers arise. Successful colonization depends on strategic planning, diplomacy, and military might.

Game Over!

Phew! Who knew there were so many games like Civilization out there? Whether you’re into turn-based battles or prefer to go head-to-head with real-time strategy, there’s something here for everyone. Thanks for reading, and be sure to come back soon for more fun gaming tips and tricks!

Reccomended Video About : Top 7 Games Like Civilization