In the world of strategy games, two franchises stand out as quintessential examples of historical and empire-building gameplay: Civilization VI and Age of Empires (AoE). Both have garnered massive followings over the years, and while they share certain thematic similarities—such as empire-building, warfare, and technological advancement—there are stark differences in gameplay mechanics, pacing, and overall player experience. In this article, we’ll compare Civilization VI with Age of Empires and delve into why the Civilization series has enjoyed such enduring popularity.
1. Game Structure and Gameplay Focus
Civilization VI (and the Civilization series as a whole) is a turn-based strategy game, where players build and manage a civilization from ancient times to the future. The game is played on a hexagonal grid map where cities are developed, units are moved, and decisions are made at a strategic level. Each turn represents a certain amount of time, and the player has the freedom to plan their moves at a leisurely pace. The game is highly focused on long-term planning, resource management, technological advancement, and diplomacy.
On the other hand, Age of Empires (particularly the earlier titles, including AoE II) is a real-time strategy (RTS) game. In AoE, players control a civilization or empire, gathering resources, building armies, and expanding territories in real-time, where every action requires immediate attention and rapid decision-making. The pacing of AoE is far faster than Civilization VI, and much of the game revolves around real-time combat, resource gathering, and city-building under pressure.
Key Difference:
- Civilization VI focuses on long-term, strategic planning, with an emphasis on research, diplomacy, and building a civilization over many centuries.
- Age of Empires is more about fast-paced resource management, military tactics, and historical battles, with a primary focus on real-time combat and territorial expansion.
2. Victory Conditions and Strategy
Both games provide a variety of victory conditions, but they differ in the types of strategies and approaches players can take.
In Civilization VI, there are multiple paths to victory, including:
- Domination Victory (military conquest of all enemy capitals)
- Science Victory (reaching the stars by completing space missions)
- Cultural Victory (attracting more tourists than any other civilization)
- Religious Victory (spreading your religion to dominate others)
- Diplomatic Victory (winning through diplomacy and global influence)
This variety allows players to pursue different strategies, with an option to win through war, peace, culture, or technology. The game encourages a multi-faceted approach, where players often combine aspects of diplomacy, science, culture, and military to advance.
In contrast, Age of Empires games (including AoE II) typically focus on two major routes to victory:
- Military Conquest (destroying all enemies)
- Economic Victory (through controlling resources and achieving certain milestones in the game)
Though AoE offers some tactical variation (like defensive playstyles or technological advances), the primary focus remains on fast, tactical military operations and economic growth to support your war machine.
Key Difference:
- Civilization VI provides a much broader range of victory conditions and strategies, allowing players to focus on multiple aspects of their civilization, including military, culture, science, and diplomacy.
- Age of Empires is more focused on military conquest and fast-paced strategy, where victory is often determined by the speed and effectiveness of warfare.
3. Pacing and Time Commitment
One of the most obvious differences between the two games is the pacing.
- Civilization VI is a slow burn, with each turn representing years or decades of time. A typical game can last anywhere from 4 to 8 hours or even more, depending on the game speed and number of civilizations involved. This allows players to immerse themselves in the long-term development of their empire. You can pause and think through every decision, making it a deeply strategic experience.
- Age of Empires, in contrast, is a real-time game, where players need to make decisions on the fly. Games are typically completed in less than two hours. The focus is on fast decision-making, managing resources under pressure, and executing military strategies in real-time.
Key Difference:
- Civilization VI requires patience and long-term strategic thinking, appealing to players who enjoy deep, thoughtful gameplay.
- Age of Empires caters to those who prefer the adrenaline rush of real-time decisions and shorter, more intense gaming sessions.
4. Diplomacy and Interaction with Other Civilizations
Diplomacy is one of the core mechanics of Civilization VI. The game allows players to engage in complex diplomatic relationships, such as forming alliances, declaring friendships or rivalries, and negotiating trade deals. The World Congress system, where civilizations can vote on global issues, adds another layer of strategy and interaction. The AI in Civ VI can also be unpredictable—civilizations may change alliances or betray you, forcing you to constantly adapt to shifting global dynamics.
In Age of Empires, diplomacy is non-existent in its traditional sense. Players can engage in alliances, but these are typically one-dimensional and often break down over time. The game is more about managing your empire’s economy and military while defending against other players’ aggression. While some AoE games have introduced limited diplomacy features, they do not compare to the depth and nuance found in Civilization VI.
Key Difference:
- Civilization VI offers an advanced and detailed diplomatic system that allows for various forms of international interaction, making it feel like a complex political and strategic world.
- Age of Empires is more about direct conflict, where diplomacy plays a lesser role and the focus is squarely on military and economic control.
5. Why Is Civilization VI So Popular?
Now that we’ve explored the key differences and similarities, we can address the question: Why has the Civilization series, particularly Civilization VI, remained so popular over the years?
- Deep Strategy and Replayability:
The ability to play a Civilization VI game in countless different ways—from military domination to cultural conquest—ensures high replayability. Each civilization comes with unique abilities, units, and playstyles, which keeps the game fresh even after dozens of playthroughs. - Long-Term Engagement:
Civilization VI appeals to players who enjoy long-term, immersive experiences. The feeling of gradually building and managing a civilization over thousands of years offers a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that other games don’t provide. The slower pace and the variety of victory conditions keep players engaged for long periods. - Accessible Yet Complex:
While Civ VI offers deep strategic elements, its user interface, tutorials, and game systems are designed to be accessible for newcomers. This balance between complexity and accessibility is one of the reasons it has such a broad appeal. New players can dive in, while veterans can enjoy fine-tuning their strategies. - Continuous Updates and Expansions:
The development team behind Civilization VI (Firaxis Games) has released numerous expansions and updates that have continuously added new content, mechanics, and civilizations. This ongoing support has ensured that the game remains relevant, engaging, and fun for years after its initial release. - Global Appeal and Cultural Depth:
Civilization VI offers players the chance to interact with leaders and cultures from around the world. Each leader has its own unique voice, abilities, and strategic approach, making the game feel rich in historical diversity. Players are not just managing cities—they’re interacting with the world’s history and its leaders.
Conclusion
While both Civilization VI and Age of Empires are fantastic strategy games, their differences lie in pacing, gameplay mechanics, and strategic depth. Civilization VI is a slow-burn, turn-based strategy game that offers a vast array of victory conditions, diplomacy, and long-term planning, making it ideal for players who love intricate, long-term strategies. Age of Empires, on the other hand, thrives on fast-paced, real-time action with a focus on military and economic dominance.
The reason why the Civilization series, especially Civilization VI, has enjoyed such enduring popularity is due to its deep strategy, historical richness, replayability, and the ability to experience world-building in a way that few other games can match. Whether you’re building a civilization through peaceful diplomacy, scientific advancement, or military conquest, Civilization VI offers a diverse and rewarding experience that appeals to a wide range of players.
