6000 hours of civ5 is really enough.

December 25, 2024 5:34 AM

I’m starting to get tired of civ5. Six never grabbed me and early demos of seven don’t look much better. I’d like to find something with the simplicity of civ5 but with a new tech tree and logistical dynamics. Probably something from the early 2010s but I’m fléxible. Suggestions?

(Assume that I have played with every civ5 mod in existence)

posted by Tell Me No Lies to Media & Arts (12 answers total)

Maybe Old World? It is from Civ IV lead designer Soren Johnson and really good.
posted by SweetLiesOfBokonon at 5:54 AM on December 25, 2024 [1 favorite]

I play Civ 6 from time to time. It wasn't my favorite either. That said, I didn't care much for Civ 5 too. Can you play Civ 4? It is on Steam.

Civ 7, which is getting good buzz, will be out on Steam in February.
posted by jtexman1 at 6:14 AM on December 25, 2024 [1 favorite]

For me Civ3 is maximum Civ. It can be tricky to get running on modern machines.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 7:03 AM on December 25, 2024 [3 favorites]

My favorite was Alpha Centauri and Alien Crossfire. Unfortunately, by the end of a long game it would run out of weapons slots and you would have to make do with only 2 or 3 weapon types. If this was fixed I would still be playing it.
posted by H21 at 7:11 AM on December 25, 2024 [1 favorite]

Agree with H21.

Never hit that issue with weapon slots. You can delete old units in the workshop. Wouldn't that open more slots?
posted by Windopaene at 7:42 AM on December 25, 2024

While it won't hit your simplicity criteria, Ara: History Untold is very engine building boardgame-like with its amenities system. May be worth a glance to see if it looks appealing.
posted by isauteikisa at 9:25 AM on December 25, 2024

GCU, glad I'm not the only one who still loves Civ 3.

Alpha Centauri might be a good option.
posted by chaiminda at 9:56 AM on December 25, 2024 [1 favorite]

Weirdly, I think Factorio scratches the same itch. Ignore all the people that play it on ultra-hardcore ultra-complex mode, it's very fun at any complexity level.
posted by so fucking future at 12:23 PM on December 25, 2024 [2 favorites]

Frostpunk
posted by mathiu at 12:33 PM on December 25, 2024

How can you get Civ3 on MacOS? I’d love to waste the next four years of my life there.
posted by po822000 at 2:34 PM on December 25, 2024 [1 favorite]

"How can you get Civ3 on MacOS? I’d love to waste the next four years of my life there."

Porting Kit is the best way. The linked page has comprehensive instructions. You'll need to have purchased the GOG Windows edition of the game, which is currently on sale for $1.49(!). Late model Macs will also probably require the low-resolution third party software workaround mentioned in the instructions.
posted by Kwine at 6:00 AM on December 26, 2024 [1 favorite]

I really like RimWorld. It's an infinitely replayable game that I always go back to. Stellaris is also really fun for the scratching the 4x itch.
posted by Mournful Bagel Song at 6:49 AM on December 26, 2024