Sid Meier's Civilization
Also known as Civilization 1, Civ 1
Sid Meier's Civilization is a 1991 turn-based strategy game developed by MicroProse. Players guide a civilization from the dawn of history into the near future, founding cities, researching technologies, building world wonders, waging war, and conducting diplomacy in pursuit of global conquest or a victorious space race to Alpha Centauri.
Designed by Sid Meier and Bruce Shelley, the game defined the 4X genre for a generation, popularizing the addictive one-more-turn loop and a sprawling technology tree in which each advance unlocked new units, buildings, and government types. Its balance of long-term planning and moment-to-moment decisions, along with historically flavored civilizations and leaders, made it one of the most influential games ever created. It effectively established the template that countless empire-building titles would follow.
The original endures as a foundational classic, and its many sequels keep the formula alive and evolving for modern players seeking that same sweep of historical grand strategy.
Where can you play Sid Meier's Civilization today?
Device by device, which of the 5 alternatives below you can play on it.
- PC
- Sid Meier's Civilization VI (€ 59,99), Ozymandias: Bronze Age Empire Sim (€ 14,99), Freeciv (Free) and 2 more.
- Mac
- Sid Meier's Civilization VI (€ 59,99), Ozymandias: Bronze Age Empire Sim (€ 14,99), Freeciv (Free) and 2 more.
- Linux
- Sid Meier's Civilization VI (€ 59,99), Freeciv (Free) and Sid Meier's Civilization V (€ 29,99). All 3 on Linux
- iPhone
- Sid Meier's Civilization VI (€ 59,99) and Ozymandias: Bronze Age Empire Sim (€ 14,99).
- iPad
- Sid Meier's Civilization VI (€ 59,99) and Ozymandias: Bronze Age Empire Sim (€ 14,99).
- Android phone
- Sid Meier's Civilization VI (€ 59,99) and Ozymandias: Bronze Age Empire Sim (€ 14,99).
- Android tablet
- Sid Meier's Civilization VI (€ 59,99) and Ozymandias: Bronze Age Empire Sim (€ 14,99).
- PlayStation
- Sid Meier's Civilization VI (€ 59,99).
- Xbox
- Sid Meier's Civilization VI (€ 59,99).
- Switch
- Sid Meier's Civilization VI (€ 59,99) and Ozymandias: Bronze Age Empire Sim (€ 14,99).
- Steam Deck
- Sid Meier's Civilization VI (€ 59,99), Ozymandias: Bronze Age Empire Sim (€ 14,99), Sid Meier's Civilization V (€ 29,99) and 1 more. All 4 on Steam Deck
Games like Sid Meier's Civilization
Modern alternatives to Sid Meier's Civilization, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
Sid Meier's Civilization VI
€ 59,99The modern mainline entry in the empire-building series.
Sid Meier's Civilization VI is also an alternative to 3 other classics
Sid Meier's Civilization VI runs on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
Ozymandias: Bronze Age Empire Sim Indie
€ 14,99A Civ-shaped empire game trimmed to about an hour a game, ideal on a phone.
Ozymandias: Bronze Age Empire Sim runs on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Switch. Not available on Linux, PlayStation, Xbox. It is Steam Deck Playable.
Freeciv Indie
FreeA free open-source empire-building game inspired by Civilization.
Freeciv is also an alternative to 2 other classics
Freeciv runs on PC, Mac, Linux. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Steam Deck.
Sid Meier's Civilization V
€ 29,99Many players' favourite Civ, with hex tiles and one-unit-per-tile combat.
Sid Meier's Civilization V runs on PC, Mac, Linux. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
Old World
€ 39,99A historical 4X strategy game with dynasties and character drama.
Old World is also an alternative to 3 other classics
Old World runs on PC, Mac. Not available on Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
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