Martin JørgensenCivilization VI – Build an empire that stands the test of time
If you’ve ever dreamed of leading your own realm from the Stone Age to the Space Age, Sid Meier’s Civilization VI is the strategy game you’ve been waiting for.
We tested the game on a powerful Windows 11 PC, and it quickly became clear why Civilization VI remains the king of the strategy genre. It’s deep, challenging, educational—and extremely addictive.
Gameplay and features
Civilization VI is a turn-based strategy game where you start with a small city and grow it into a global empire. You choose from historical leaders like Cleopatra, Genghis Khan, or Trajan, and each leader has unique strengths.
The biggest improvements over Civilization V and IV are:
- Districts: Cities now spread across multiple tiles, enabling far more realistic and strategic city planning.
- Research and culture: The technology and civics trees are more flexible and can be tailored to your playstyle.
- Diplomacy and allies: The AI behaves much more human—sometimes a bit too human. Gandhi can still nuke you, but now he does it with a smile.
We found that Civ VI feels like a natural evolution from Civ V: it’s more colorful, more intuitive, and far more alive. Compared to 1 (which we’ve also tested), Civ VI still feels like the most balanced and “pure” experience for serious strategy fans.
Graphics and audio
The art style is more cartoon-inspired than earlier entries, but in a way that makes the map easy to read and cities easy to manage.
We tested at 1440p, and animations ran smoothly with a steady 120 FPS. The music is in a league of its own—dynamic and atmospheric, evolving as your civilization advances.
The sound effects—especially the voiceovers and city ambience—make you truly feel like you’re guiding a civilization through the ages.
Civilization VI vs. earlier versions
| Version | Release year | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| 🏛️ Civilization IV | 2005 | Classic style—introduced religions and major technological leaps. |
| 🧭 Civilization V | 2010 | Shift to hex-based maps and a focus on tactics over sheer numbers. |
| ⚙️ Civilization VI | 2016 | Districts, dynamic research/civics, and vibrant, colorful visuals. |
| 🚀 Civilization VII | 2025 | New 3D engine and high-level diplomacy—though it loses a bit of the series’ charm. |
We believe that Civilization VI still stands as the most complete experience for players who want deep strategy without unnecessary clutter.
Challenges and controls
Civilization VI is easy to learn but hard to master. Even after many hours in our tests, we were still surprised by new mechanics and combinations.
The interface is more intuitive than in Civilization V, and the many shortcuts make it easier to manage sprawling empires.
The AI still has its moments of odd decisions—especially in diplomacy—but it’s far better than in previous entries.
Frequently asked questions
Top 5 tips for Civilization VI
1. Specialize your cities
Don’t build everything in one place—use districts strategically so each city has a clear role (e.g., science or military).
2. Focus on adjacency bonuses
Place your districts next to mountains, rivers, or forests to maximize bonuses.
3. Play to your leader’s strengths
Every leader has unique bonuses—lean into them instead of trying to do everything at once.
4. Leverage trade routes early
They provide both gold and infrastructure—and can be crucial for keeping your economy running.
5. Plan your victory from the start
Decide early whether you’ll win via Culture, Science, Religion, or Domination—and build your strategy around it.
