Best Games That Play Like Civilization

Civilization is a turn-based strategy franchise that has garnered popularity over the years, allowing players to either create cities by themselves against the AI or challenge other players to see who will dominate the world first. While there are plenty of Civilization 4X titles to enjoy, some players may wish to look for a different strategy title that plays like Civilization.

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With this genre of gaming being so popular, there are plenty of other strategy titles for players to enjoy, with some also taking a historical setting to create various powerful civilizations, while other games play like the Civilization franchise but instead take place in space. These are some of the best games for those who are looking for games that play like Civilization but aren’t from the franchise.

8

Europa Universalis 4

Rule Kingdoms And Ignite Progress

Players who are looking for a game that plays like Civilization by focusing on a historical setting while also allowing the player to conquer through not only wars should look no further than Europa Universalis 4.

Although a grand strategy title, players that enjoyed the diplomatic side of Civilization may also enjoy Europa Universalis 4 as it focuses not only on the wars a player is likely to rewrite, but also the moments of peace in between. While attempting to stay historically accurate through four hundred generations of history, players are able to bend these events slightly as they take control of various kingdoms and the trade routes between them.

7

Warlock – Master Of The Arcane

Become A Powerful Wizard With Plenty Of Side Goals

• Platforms: PC
• Release Date: May 8, 2012
• Developer: Ino-Co Plus
• Genres: 4X, Strategy

The games that play like Civilization, don’t always focus on realistic historical civilizations; some games, like Warlock – Master of the Arcane, instead take players to a fantasy world where they become a wizard, attempting to become the most powerful. However, they aren’t the only wizards attempting this, and therefore, they should expect resistance from others that are trying to become just as powerful.

A wizard shouldn’t only be creating armies in Warlock – Master of the Arcane, as, like Civilization, players are also expected to situate themselves within the world using city management mechanics. Keeping these cities afloat is a sure way to success for players, as every decision counts if they hope to have a chance at becoming the most powerful.

6

Total War: Warhammer 2

Manage Civilizations From The Warhammer Franchise

Released

September 28, 2017

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Total War: Warhammer 2 is much like Civilization but even better due to not only being great for fans of the Warhammer franchise but also due to it containing not only turn-based strategy mechanics of Civ but also its own real-time battle systems, that allow a player to get involved in the most epic wars of the Total War franchise.

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With four races that allow for four different outcomes, the campaign of Total War: Warhammer 2 is certainly something to get stuck into. Players will feel familiar with the turn-based half of the title as they move around their armies on the map while they build and manage settlements. In this mode, players can choose to take by force as they attack or deal with their issues diplomatically against the AI.

5

Stellaris

Conquer A Limitless Universe

Systems

Released

May 9, 2016

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Remaining away from history, another exciting 4X strategy title for players who are looking for games that play like Civilization should consider sending themselves out into space with Stellaris. Naturally, since there are plenty of galaxies to explore, Stellaris feels a lot bigger than Civilization with players setting up trading routes with other space explorers across the known galaxies.

Once again, a player isn’t directed into only winning this grand strategy title through warfare, as diplomacy in Stellaris can be just as rewarding. With a variety of species to take control of, they have their own advantages and disadvantages some benefit by aiming for certain goals as seen with the various civilizations available in Civ.

4

Endless Legend

Survive a Dying World As One Of Eight Civilizations

Systems

Released

September 18, 2014

Platform(s)

Microsoft Windows, macOS, Xbox One

Developer(s)

Amplitude Studios

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

4X strategy titles come in all shapes and sizes, with Endless Legend being another option for players who are looking for a game that works and plays almost identically to Civilization. In this fantasy title, a player is tasked with creating their own legend as they control one of eight civilizations in a fight for survival in a dying world with harsh seasons.

Players will feel mostly familiar with the expanding and managing of their towns and cities as they create bustling places for their people to live while also making sure they have not only the resources to live but also the necessary things to keep morale high. Unlike Civilization, this game also includes plenty of quests in this randomly generated world to add even more replayability to truly allow the player to create an Endless Legend.

3

Age Of Wonders 4

Expand A Fantasy Empire Every Turn

Systems

Released

May 2, 2023

Developer(s)

Triumph Studios

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Continuing on the theme of fantasy, another great game for those looking for something similar to Civilization can also be sure to enjoy Age of Wonders 4. Players start off the game by first making their own race of people by not only customizing their physical appearance but also their traits to help define the civilization the player wishes to create.

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Once this has been done, the player is finally able to begin to grow their civilization within Age of Wonders 4 as they grow their empires through battle, trade, or diplomacy. The fun doesn’t end after a victory, as players may encounter their own creations when they start Age of Wonders again through the in-game pantheon system.

2

Old World

Nurture A Historical Legacy Over Generations

Old World is like Civilization but with plenty of quality of life improvements to make the 4X genre not only more accessible but also feel fresher. As a historical strategy title, it is up to the player to prepare their civilization to survive countless generations, even after their original leaders pass.

Due to this, family matters as players should be hoping to create strong heirs to keep their cities and control growing. Exploring the world of Old World feels identical to Civilization as players navigate a hexagonal grid fighting opposing armies and searching for valuable resources, but instead of moving each unit only once, a player can move them until they are fatigued.

1

Humankind

Combine Cultures And Leave A Mark On The World

Systems

Released

August 17, 2021

Developer(s)

Amplitude Studios

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

One of the best games for players to enjoy that plays like Civilization and is also by far the closest in gameplay, is Humankind. Instead of choosing an already existing civilization, players in Humankind create and define their own.

Players have access to up to 60 cultures that they can combine as they see fit to create the perfect civilization to hopefully conquer the world either through warfare or flowery speeches. As players progress through Humankind, their empire will not only grow but a story will be created that plays out differently with each new playthrough of the turn-based strategy title.

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