Aside from the six mainline games in the Civilization series, there are also several spin-off titles to consider when evaluating each entry in the franchise. To maintain clarity, we will exclude Alpha Centauri, which isn't directly related to the Civilization series despite carrying the Sid Meier prefix in its title. We'll also omit Colonization, as it deviated significantly from the original formula and became a distinctly different game. Furthermore, remakes or ports of previous games that didn't introduce substantial gameplay changes will not be included.
In this article, Gurugamer is going to showcase a complete list of all Civilization games, ranked from best to worst.
1. Civilization V
Taking the lead ahead of its predecessor, Civilization V secures the top position. This installment eliminated certain laborious aspects, such as unit stacking, and introduced the ability for cities to defend themselves. Moreover, it introduced captivating AI personalities, adding enjoyment to single-player games. The transition from traditional grids to hexes allowed empires to expand in a more organic and diverse manner. Although some features, like religion, required expansion packs, Civilization V stands out as the finest game ever crafted in the Civilization series.
2. Civilization IV
Claiming the second spot is Civilization IV, which marked a significant milestone in the series by embracing modern elements such as 3D graphics and a captivating score that garnered a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement. Notably, this installment introduced religion as a strategic tool to influence other nations and placed greater emphasis on non-military units like spies and settlers. For numerous individuals, Civilization IV represents the point at which the series truly hit its stride, making a compelling case for being the finest game in the franchise.
3. Civilization VI
Why isn't the latest game in the series ranked at the top? In many aspects, it seems like it should be. As a sequel, it excels by enhancing almost every feature introduced in previous games. However, it falls short of greatness due to the absence of many of those features in the base game. To fully experience Civilization VI, one must invest in multiple DLC packs. By obtaining the Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm expansions, the game becomes incredibly intricate and undoubtedly the most complex Civilization installment available. Nevertheless, the inclusion of colossal death robots brings an immense amount of joy when unleashed upon the game world.
4. Civilization III
When Civilization III came into play as the third installment of the mainline series, the primary objective was evidently to create a more cohesive and feature-packed game. Notably, borders were introduced for the first time, lending a greater sense of coherence to empires. Culture emerged as a viable means of expanding these borders, facilitating natural expansion rather than solely relying on warfare. This addition provided players with additional avenues to foster the growth of their nations.
5. Civilization II
Coming in at number five is Civilization II, the inaugural sequel in the series. This installment introduced the isometric view, which would be adopted by subsequent games, and delved deeper into trade and diplomatic mechanics. While its features may seem rudimentary in comparison to later games, Civilization II marked the first instance in which fans returning to it after a hiatus would find a sense of familiarity in its look and feel.
6. Civilization Revolution
Ranking at number six is Civilization Revolution, an endeavor to bring the Civilization series onto consoles and mobile devices, despite its natural inclination towards PC gaming. This attempt involved streamlining the gameplay and interface to accommodate controller input. The result was generally successful, but it came at the cost of stripping away many of the features that players had grown accustomed to. While Civilization Revolution remains a solid game, it falls short of providing the complete Civilization experience that fans have come to expect.
7. Civilization Revolution 2
Securing the seventh position is Civilization Revolution 2, which, like its predecessor, aimed to bring the gameplay of the popular 4X series to home and mobile consoles. Civilization Revolution 2 represents an improved and expanded version of the original game, offering a wider selection of leaders and nations to choose from. Although it doesn't quite measure up to the mainline games in the series, it serves as a commendable option for individuals who lack a PC capable of running those games.
8. Civilization
Taking the eighth spot is the original Civilization, undeniably a reflection of the era in which it was developed. While playing a match allows one to recognize its significance as the precursor to the series, this game falls short when compared to the advancements made in later installments. The systems employed were rudimentary, and the available victory options were limited to just two. Despite its enduring cult following, each subsequent Civilization game would build upon and enhance the foundation laid by its predecessor.
9. Civilization: Beyond Earth
Securing the ninth position is Civilization: Beyond Earth, a game that highlights the franchise's inevitable progression towards space exploration, as previously seen in the Alpha Centauri spinoff. However, the absence of historical leaders and Earth nations diminished much of its charm. Upon its initial release, Beyond Earth also suffered from a dearth of diplomatic options and felt more limited in scope compared to the mainline games in the series.
10. Civilization: Call to Power
Occupying the tenth spot is Civilization: Call to Power, a game that bears the Civilization name in its title but is only loosely connected to the main series. Developed by Activision and released in 1999, this game exploited certain legal ambiguities concerning the copyright of the Civilization name. Regrettably, it failed to capture the essence and allure of the original game, resulting in lackluster systems that left existing fans unimpressed.
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