Civilization VI

Q: Is this game too complex for a beginner?

While deep, Civ VI has an excellent “Advisor” system that guides you through your first few games. The UI is clean and provides tooltips for almost everything. Start on a lower difficulty, and you’ll find the core “One More Turn” loop is incredibly intuitive.

Q: Can I play this on a handheld like Steam Deck or iPad?

Yes. Civilization VI is exceptionally well-optimized for touchscreens and handhelds. It is one of the best “Life-Fit” grand strategy games because you can play a few turns during a commute or while traveling and pick up exactly where you left off on your PC.

Q: What is "Deity" difficulty?

Deity is the highest difficulty level, where the AI starts with massive bonuses to production, science, and starting units. It is the ultimate “Skill Check” for the Resilient Player and requires a near-perfect understanding of the game’s mechanics to survive.

Q: How does multiplayer work for busy people?

The game features a “Play by Cloud” mode, allowing you to take your turn at your convenience and receive a notification when it’s your turn again. This is a perfect “Social-Fit” for friends with busy schedules who want to maintain a long-running game over weeks or months.

Q: Do I need all the DLC?

The Platinum Edition or Anthology is highly recommended. The base game is solid, but Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm add so many essential systems (like Loyalty and Climate) that they make the experience feel significantly more “Beefy” and high-value.

Overall Rating: 4.16 • 1417 reviews

The Investment Gamer The Sprint Player

Dictate the course of human history from the Stone Age to the Information Age in Civilization VI, the ultimate title for the strategic mind! Take command of history’s greatest leaders to build an empire that spans millennia. This is the definitive destination for the Investment Player who thrives on complexity and the Sprint Player who needs a game that can be conquered five minutes at a time. Whether you are optimizing city districts for maximum science output or sneaking in a few critical turns during a lunch break, every decision is a calculated step toward total world dominance. Build your legacy, one turn at a time.

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Details

Some of the particulars and information about Civilization VI.

Developer: Aspyr Media

Release Date: October 20, 2016

How Long to Beat: 24 hrs

Great for:

The Investment Gamer The Sprint Player

Ratings

Some of the ratings and scores for Civilization VI.

88 Metacritic

9.4 IGN

A Our Score

Genres

Action

Simulation

Turn-Based

Systems

Here's where you can find Civilization VI and play.

ESRB: Everyone 10+

Drug Reference

Language

Mild Language

Suggestive Themes

Overview

Why Play?

How Much Time?

Overview

This masterpiece redefines strategy with its "unstacked" city planning and cultural systems, offering a grand sandbox that rewards both long-term and bite-sized play.

The Ultimate ROI For The Investment Player

Civilization VI is the gold standard for high-value gaming. For the Investment Player, the draw is the sheer depth of the “4X” loop (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate). Every session is a masterclass in resource management and forward-thinking. You aren’t just reacting to the world; you are shaping it through your choices in government types, civic policies, and city planning. The “unstacked” city mechanic—where you physically place districts like Research Labs and Theatre Squares on the map—adds a layer of geographical strategy that makes every city you build feel like a unique, high-value asset in your global portfolio.

Turn-Based Freedom For The Sprint Player

While Civilization is famous for its epic scale, it is secretly the best friend of the Sprint Player. Because the game is strictly turn-based, it provides the most natural “save points” in gaming. You can finish three turns while waiting for a meeting to start or optimize a single trade route before the kids wake up. There is no pressure to find a checkpoint or reach a cinematic break; you simply take your turn and close the device. It is a “Life-Fit” experience that allows you to engage with a massive, complex world without ever feeling tethered to your desk for hours.

A Vibrant World Of Historical Discovery

For those seeking a high-quality intellectual escape, the game’s board-game-inspired art direction and soaring orchestral score provide a premium atmosphere. Each leader is fully voiced in their native tongue, and the “Great Works” system allows you to curate a digital museum of history’s greatest art, music, and writing. The sense of discovery as you reveal the fog of war and uncover natural wonders ensures that the exploration phase remains a visual and intellectual delight, even if you are only playing in short bursts.

Trailer

A Quick Look at Civilization VI

Curious what Civilization VI is all about? The trailer gives you a great first look at the world, the vibe, and the kind of story you're stepping into.

Videos

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Screenshots

Screenshots of Civilization VI

Want to see what Civilization VI actually looks like in-game? These screenshots will hopefully give you a feel for what the world of Civilization VI is like.

Extras

Downloadable Content for Civilization VI

DLC just means more of a good thing. Here are some for Civilization VI

Gathering Storm

Rise and Fall

Gathering Storm

Survive a Dynamic and Living Environment

Gathering Storm is arguably the most transformative update in the franchise’s history, introducing a dynamic environment that can be both a resource and a threat. The world is now alive with Natural Disasters—volcanoes erupt, rivers flood, and storms sweep across continents. While these events can pillage your improvements, they also increase the fertility of the soil, offering a high-risk, high-reward tradeoff for city placement. For the Investment Player, the late-game becomes a sophisticated simulation of the Global Climate. As you and your rivals burn coal and oil to power your modern cities, CO2 levels rise, melting polar ice caps and causing sea levels to rise. This forces a strategic pivot toward “Green Energy” and the construction of massive engineering projects like Flood Barriers to protect your coastal assets.

Master Global Diplomacy and the World Congress

Beyond the environment, this expansion introduces a completely revamped Diplomatic Victory path and the World Congress. You now earn “Diplomatic Favor” through your actions and alliances, which you spend to vote on global resolutions that can boost your trade or cripple a rival’s military. For the Sprint Player, the World Congress acts as a high-impact “mini-game” that occurs every few turns, providing a quick burst of political maneuvering that can shift the global balance of power in minutes. Whether you are building the Panama Canal or navigating the treachery of a global emergency, Gathering Storm ensures that the “Endgame” of Civilization—traditionally the slowest part of a match—is a high-stakes race for survival and technological supremacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have Questions About Civilization VI?

Is this game too complex for a beginner?

Can I play this on a handheld like Steam Deck or iPad?

What is "Deity" difficulty?

How does multiplayer work for busy people?

Do I need all the DLC?

It's Never Too Late to Start Playing.

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