Civilization / Similar games

18 games like Civilization

The best games like Civilization are Mare Nostrum Empires, Pax Pamir Second Edition and Twilight Imperium Fourth Edition — the closest of 18 ranked alternatives, scored by shared mechanics and category. Mare Nostrum Empires shares ancient, civilization, economic with Civilization.

Every alternative below links to its own Civilization-style fact page, drawn from MeeplePick’s ancient / civilization shelf.

Ranked by shared category (3 pts) and mechanics (2 pts), bonus within 0.7 of Civilization’s 3.7 weight, then BoardGameGeek’s Bayesian rating — one entry per series, 18 shown.

As an Amazon Associate, MeeplePick earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

1. 1. Mare Nostrum Empires (2016)
   3–5 players · 90–120 min · ★ 7.6 · Medium
   Shares with Civilization: Ancient, Civilization, Economic, Area Movement, Set Collection, Trading · 3 of Civilization’s 6 mechanics (50%)
   vs Civilization: overlaps at 3–5 players · ~255 min shorter · 0.6 lighter
   View Mare Nostrum Empires on Amazon →
2. 2. Pax Pamir Second Edition (2019)
   1–5 players · 45–120 min · ★ 8.4 · Medium-heavy
   Shares with Civilization: Economic, Negotiation, Area Majority / Influence, Area Movement, Hand Management · 3 of Civilization’s 6 mechanics (50%)
   vs Civilization: overlaps at 2–5 players · plays solo · ~277 min shorter · same complexity
   View Pax Pamir Second Edition on Amazon →
3. 3. Twilight Imperium Fourth Edition (2017)
   3–6 players · 240–480 min · ★ 8.7 · Heavy
   Shares with Civilization: Civilization, Economic, Negotiation, Area Majority / Influence · 1 of Civilization’s 6 mechanics (17%)
   vs Civilization: overlaps at 3–6 players · about the same length · +0.6 heavier
   View Twilight Imperium Fourth Edition on Amazon →
4. 4. Tigris & Euphrates (1997)
   2–4 players · 90 min · ★ 7.7 · Medium-heavy
   Shares with Civilization: Ancient, Civilization, Area Majority / Influence, Hand Management, Set Collection · 3 of Civilization’s 6 mechanics (50%)
   vs Civilization: overlaps at 2–4 players · ~270 min shorter · 0.2 lighter
5. 5. Clash of Cultures (2012)
   2–4 players · 180–240 min · ★ 7.6 · Medium-heavy
   Shares with Civilization: Ancient, Civilization, Economic, Area Majority / Influence, Hand Management · 2 of Civilization’s 6 mechanics (33%)
   vs Civilization: overlaps at 2–4 players · ~150 min shorter · same complexity
6. 6. Triumph & Tragedy European Balance of Power 1936-1945 (2015)
   2–3 players · 240–360 min · ★ 8.2 · Medium
   Shares with Civilization: Economic, Negotiation, Area Majority / Influence, Area Movement, Hand Management · 3 of Civilization’s 6 mechanics (50%)
   vs Civilization: overlaps at 2–3 players · ~60 min shorter · 0.3 lighter
7. 7. Polis Fight for the Hegemony (2012)
   2 players · 90–120 min · ★ 7.6 · Medium-heavy
   Shares with Civilization: Ancient, Civilization, Economic, Area Majority / Influence, Area Movement · 2 of Civilization’s 6 mechanics (33%)
   vs Civilization: both play at 2 · ~255 min shorter · same complexity
8. 8. Three Kingdoms Redux (2014)
   3 players · 135–165 min · ★ 7.9 · Medium-heavy
   Shares with Civilization: Ancient, Civilization, Economic, Area Majority / Influence, Hand Management · 2 of Civilization’s 6 mechanics (33%)
   vs Civilization: both play at 3 · ~210 min shorter · +0.4 heavier
9. 9. Race for the Galaxy (2007)
   2–4 players · 30–60 min · ★ 7.8 · Medium
   Shares with Civilization: Civilization, Economic, Hand Management, Set Collection · 2 of Civilization’s 6 mechanics (33%)
   vs Civilization: overlaps at 2–4 players · ~315 min shorter · 0.7 lighter
10. 10. Yellow & Yangtze (2018)
    2–4 players · 90 min · ★ 7.9 · Medium
    Shares with Civilization: Ancient, Civilization, Area Majority / Influence, Hand Management, Set Collection · 3 of Civilization’s 6 mechanics (50%)
    vs Civilization: overlaps at 2–4 players · ~270 min shorter · 0.5 lighter
11. 11. Patchistory (2013)
    2–4 players · 60–120 min · ★ 7.1 · Medium-heavy
    Shares with Civilization: Civilization, Economic, Negotiation, Area Majority / Influence, Hand Management · 2 of Civilization’s 6 mechanics (33%)
    vs Civilization: overlaps at 2–4 players · ~270 min shorter · same complexity
12. 12. 7 Wonders (2010)
    2–7 players · 30 min · ★ 7.8 · Medium-light
    Shares with Civilization: Ancient, Civilization, Economic, Hand Management, Set Collection · 2 of Civilization’s 6 mechanics (33%)
    vs Civilization: overlaps at 2–7 players · ~330 min shorter · 1.3 lighter
13. 13. Die Macher (1986)
    3–5 players · 240 min · ★ 7.6 · Heavy
    Shares with Civilization: Economic, Negotiation, Area Majority / Influence, Hand Management · 2 of Civilization’s 6 mechanics (33%)
    vs Civilization: overlaps at 3–5 players · ~120 min shorter · +0.7 heavier
14. 14. Archipelago (2012)
    2–5 players · 30–240 min · ★ 7.3 · Medium-heavy
    Shares with Civilization: Civilization, Economic, Negotiation, Area Majority / Influence · 1 of Civilization’s 6 mechanics (17%)
    vs Civilization: overlaps at 2–5 players · ~225 min shorter · same complexity
15. 15. Terra Mystica (2012)
    2–5 players · 60–150 min · ★ 8.1 · Medium-heavy
    Shares with Civilization: Civilization, Economic, Tech Trees / Tech Tracks · 1 of Civilization’s 6 mechanics (17%)
    vs Civilization: overlaps at 2–5 players · ~255 min shorter · +0.3 heavier
16. 16. Concordia (2013)
    2–5 players · 100 min · ★ 8.1 · Medium
    Shares with Civilization: Ancient, Economic, Hand Management · 1 of Civilization’s 6 mechanics (17%)
    vs Civilization: overlaps at 2–5 players · ~260 min shorter · 0.6 lighter
17. 17. Terraforming Mars (2016)
    1–5 players · 120 min · ★ 8.4 · Medium
    Shares with Civilization: Economic, Hand Management, Set Collection · 2 of Civilization’s 6 mechanics (33%)
    vs Civilization: overlaps at 2–5 players · plays solo · ~240 min shorter · 0.4 lighter
18. 18. Die Prinzen von Machu Picchu (2008)
    2–5 players · 90 min · ★ 7.0 · Medium
    Shares with Civilization: Civilization, Economic, Area Majority / Influence, Area Movement, Set Collection · 3 of Civilization’s 6 mechanics (50%)
    vs Civilization: overlaps at 2–5 players · ~270 min shorter · 0.6 lighter

Looking for the original? See the full Civilization fact page — players, play time, age and complexity.