Sid Meier’s Civilization VI (Civ 6) is the latest entry in the legendary Civilization series, developed by Firaxis Games and released in 2016. As a 4X strategy game (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate), it challenges players to guide a civilization from the dawn of history to the space age.This review was written by a huge fan of kiomet game, try it later.

With its deep gameplay mechanics, diverse leaders, and endless replayability, Civ 6 remains a fan favorite years after its release. But how does it compare to previous games in the series? And is it the best turn-based strategy game ever made?

Let’s dive into the details.
Gameplay Overview – A Game of Infinite Possibilities

In Civilization VI, you start with a single settler in 4000 BC and slowly build an empire through diplomacy, warfare, culture, science, and trade. The goal? Achieve one of several victory conditions before your rivals do.

The core mechanics are:

City-Building & Expansion – Found cities, improve infrastructure, and grow your civilization.

Technology & Civics – Unlock powerful upgrades through research.

Diplomacy & Alliances – Forge relationships or go to war with other civilizations.

Warfare & Military Strategy – Defend your borders or conquer the world.

Religion & Culture – Spread your faith, generate tourism, and influence other nations.

The beauty of Civ 6 is that no two playthroughs are ever the same. Your strategy will change depending on your starting position, leader, and the actions of rival civilizations.
What’s New in Civilization VI?

Compared to its predecessor, Civ 6 introduces several key innovations:
1. The District System – A Revolutionary Change

One of the biggest changes in Civ 6 is the district system. Unlike previous games, where all buildings were constructed within the city center, Civ 6 spreads buildings across the map.

Science buildings go in the Campus district.

Religious structures belong in the Holy Site.

Military structures go in the Encampment.

This makes city placement far more strategic. Players must consider terrain bonuses, adjacency effects, and available space when expanding their empire.
2. The Civics Tree – A New Way to Progress

Instead of unlocking government policies through the technology tree, Civ 6 introduces a separate Civics Tree.

Advancing in Civics unlocks governments, policies, and cultural advancements.

Players can mix and match economic, military, and diplomatic policies to suit their playstyle.

This system allows for greater customization and more dynamic government changes compared to earlier games.
3. Active Research & Boosts – A Faster, More Interactive Tech Tree

Research in Civ 6 is no longer a slow, passive process. Instead, the game rewards specific actions with research boosts:

Building coastal cities speeds up Shipbuilding.

Killing enemies with archers boosts Military Tactics.

Founding a city on a river speeds up Irrigation.

This encourages adaptive playstyles, making each game feel fresh.
4. AI Leaders with Unique Personalities

Every leader in Civ 6 has a historical agenda that influences their behavior. For example:

Teddy Roosevelt (America) likes nations that keep peace in their continent.

Gandhi (India) has a high Nuke Happy tendency, a reference to an old Civ meme.

Montezuma (Aztecs) hoards luxury resources and gets angry if you have more than him.

While the AI isn’t perfect, these leader agendas add depth to diplomacy.

Victory Conditions – How to Win the Game

Civilization VI offers five main ways to win, each catering to different playstyles:

Domination Victory – Conquer every other civilization’s capital.

Science Victory – Be the first to colonize Mars.

Culture Victory – Generate more tourism than any other civ’s domestic culture.

Religious Victory – Convert the majority of the world’s population to your religion.

Diplomatic Victory (added in expansions) – Earn diplomatic points through alliances and world congress votes.

This variety ensures that every game can be played differently.

The Best Civilizations – Who Should You Play?

With over 50+ leaders, choosing the right civilization can be overwhelming. Here are some of the most powerful and fun options:
1. Best for Beginners – Rome (Trajan)

Free roads and trade routes make expansion easy.

Legions are powerful early-game units.

2. Best for Science – Korea (Seondeok)

Huge science bonuses from Seowon districts.

Ideal for peaceful tech-focused games.

3. Best for Domination – Mongolia (Genghis Khan)

Cavalry-based warfare is extremely strong.

Trade routes boost combat effectiveness.

4. Best for Culture – Greece (Pericles)

Extra policy slots and strong culture generation.

Easy culture victory path.

5. Most Unique – Australia (John Curtin)

Gets bonus production after being attacked.

Coastal cities generate extra housing and production.

Each civilization has unique abilities, units, and playstyles, making them feel distinct.

Expansions & DLC – Making Civ 6 Even Better

While the base game is great, expansions improve it significantly:
1. Rise and Fall (2018)

Golden Ages & Dark Ages affect city loyalty.

Governors add new city management mechanics.

2. Gathering Storm (2019)

Climate change and natural disasters make the world more dynamic.

Diplomatic Victory added, making diplomacy more important.

3. New Frontier Pass (2020-2021)

Introduced new leaders, game modes, and civilizations.

Added Heroes & Legends, Secret Societies, and Apocalypse Mode.

If you want the best experience, playing with both expansions is recommended.

Graphics, Sound, and Presentation

Visuals

Civ 6 has a bright, colorful art style that makes it more inviting than previous entries. Some players miss Civ 5’s more realistic graphics, but the cartoonish aesthetic makes units and buildings easier to distinguish.

Soundtrack

The music in Civ 6 is phenomenal. Each civilization has its own evolving theme, which grows more complex as you advance through the ages. Christopher Tin’s “Sogno di Volare” (the main theme) is one of the best in the series.

Criticism & Downsides

Despite being a fantastic game, Civ 6 has some flaws:

AI Issues – The AI still makes questionable decisions, especially in warfare.

Long Late-Game Turns – The more civilizations in the game, the longer each turn takes.

DLC Model – The best content is locked behind multiple expansions.

That said, these issues don’t ruin the experience—especially with mods or multiplayer.
Final Verdict – The King of 4X Strategy Games

Civilization VI is a masterpiece of turn-based strategy. With its deep mechanics, unique civilizations, and endless replayability, it’s one of the best strategy games ever made.

Pros:

✔ Huge variety of playstyles and strategies.
✔ Fantastic soundtrack and presentation.
✔ Deep city-building and empire management.
✔ Highly replayable with expansions and mods.

Cons:

✖ AI can be frustrating.
✖ Base game feels incomplete without DLC.
✖ Some players dislike the cartoony art style.

Final Score: 9.5/10

If you love strategy games, Civ 6 is a must-play. Just be warned—it’s incredibly addictive!