Civilization VI. One of the most played game in Steam and the most purchased Sid Meier's franchise game since Civilization IV. This game really deserve love for it follows the rule of always pushing the limit for players' engagement. I've always been a fan of 3d sprites, Civ III being the undisputed champion of graphic style and modern gameplay. But the 3d design of Civilization V were breathtaking but without having the charm of Civ III. The dlcs of Civ V weren't cheap and could have easily been included in the main game like in Civ IV.

That is maybe one of the biggest problems of Civ VI that followed the trend of Civ V. Although Rise and Fall and the scenario civs were a good addition, the Gathering Storms was too much, bringing a game mecanic almost uninteresting. However the modding community is releasing high quality content on a daily basis that makes Civilization VI the most handsome Civ Game ever made.

However, since Civ V, the diplomacy level of the game has been striped of all of its fundamentals that were brough by Civilization I. Civ III is maybe in this level the most complete game, making the diplo panel and ressoyrce exchange a good experience. To have this on Civ VI, you must use you guessed it: mods. It's the same think with the palace mechanics and the limit of players per map. I also wish that future Civ games would reinstate the leader portraits changing from era to era like in Civ III. That was a cool design that showed a lot of creativity (Like the ones in the modern age). I guess the perfect Civ Game would be Civ III and Civ VI making a baby. You can also make custom maps with civs but be warned that this map tool is extremely crude compared to map tools from Civ V and even Civ III. Civ III is the best example of a map tool that enables to customize absolutely every aspects of the game in one user friendly tool. Age of Empires II is also a good example.

If the price is a no go for you, you can find pretty good deals in other places than steam like "Humble Bundle or "Instant Gaming". You can skip the frontier pass but it does have unique game mechanics and good fun civs in it like Babylone (One of my favourite civ since Civ III).

On the multiplayer experience: Only play on one platform that is my biggest advice. If you play with a mac player or an epic game player, you will spend real HOURS to find out how to make this freaking multiplayer work. It is by far the worst experience I had on that level which makes me think how it is even possible. So only play with people on steam and on PC or Mac depending of your computer.

So to conclude: This game is the best Civ franchise game with Civ III in my opinion. you can spice the game with high quality content from good and competent modders that makes the game a joyful experience.
Looking forward for Civilization VII and the art style of this one.

Civilization VI. One of the most played game in Steam and the most purchased Sid Meier's franchise game since Civilization IV. This game really deserve love for it follows the rule of always pushing the limit for players' engagement. I've always been a fan of 3d sprites, Civ III being the undisputed champion of graphic style and modern gameplay. But the 3d design of Civilization V were breathtaking but without having the charm of Civ III. The dlcs of Civ V weren't cheap and could have easily been included in the main game like in Civ IV. That is maybe one of the biggest problems of Civ VI that followed the trend of Civ V. Although Rise and Fall and the scenario civs were a good addition, the Gathering Storms was too much, bringing a game mecanic almost uninteresting. However the modding community is releasing high quality content on a daily basis that makes Civilization VI the most handsome Civ Game ever made. However, since Civ V, the diplomacy level of the game has been striped of all of its fundamentals that were brough by Civilization I. Civ III is maybe in this level the most complete game, making the diplo panel and ressoyrce exchange a good experience. To have this on Civ VI, you must use you guessed it: mods. It's the same think with the palace mechanics and the limit of players per map. I also wish that future Civ games would reinstate the leader portraits changing from era to era like in Civ III. That was a cool design that showed a lot of creativity (Like the ones in the modern age). I guess the perfect Civ Game would be Civ III and Civ VI making a baby. You can also make custom maps with civs but be warned that this map tool is extremely crude compared to map tools from Civ V and even Civ III. Civ III is the best example of a map tool that enables to customize absolutely every aspects of the game in one user friendly tool. Age of Empires II is also a good example. If the price is a no go for you, you can find pretty good deals in other places than steam like "Humble Bundle or "Instant Gaming". You can skip the frontier pass but it does have unique game mechanics and good fun civs in it like Babylone (One of my favourite civ since Civ III). On the multiplayer experience: Only play on one platform that is my biggest advice. If you play with a mac player or an epic game player, you will spend real HOURS to find out how to make this freaking multiplayer work. It is by far the worst experience I had on that level which makes me think how it is even possible. So only play with people on steam and on PC or Mac depending of your computer. So to conclude: This game is the best Civ franchise game with Civ III in my opinion. you can spice the game with high quality content from good and competent modders that makes the game a joyful experience. Looking forward for Civilization VII and the art style of this one.