Let me start with a confession:

I’ve spent over 1,500 hours playing Sid Meier’s Civilization VI. That’s more than two whole months of my life leading fictional empires from the Stone Age to the Space Race. And yes — I finally won on Deity difficulty, the game’s hardest setting.

These days, though, Civ VI doesn’t get quite as much love as it used to. Between family, work, and my ongoing commitments to chess, it’s harder to carve out those long, luxurious play sessions. But the game still holds a special place in my heart — and on my hard drive.

Ashamed? Slightly.
Proud? Absolutely.
Still playing? Of course.

How It All Started

When Civ VI came out in 2016, I was already a fan of the series. I’d played earlier titles, especially Civ V, but I wasn’t sure about the bright, almost cartoon-like art style in the new game.

That hesitation lasted about 30 minutes.

The moment I got sucked into managing cities, plotting districts, and outmaneuvering Gandhi (who is somehow always angry), I was hooked. Civ VI introduced some serious changes — most notably, districts, which meant planning your cities based on terrain and adjacency bonuses. Suddenly, the map mattered a lot more.

Every turn felt meaningful, and every game played out like a new story.

Lockdown, Laughter, and Long Games

Then 2020 hit.
The world went into lockdown — and Civ VI became a lifeline. In my friend group, it turned into our go-to online game. We’d start a session in the evening and keep going well past midnight, laughing, scheming, and accusing each other of backstabbing trade deals.

It wasn’t just a game. It was our social circle, our stress relief, and our shared obsession.

YouTube Help (and PotatoMcWhiskey)

Like any Civ VI addict trying to get better, I turned to YouTube. One channel stood out: PotatoMcWhiskey. If you’ve played Civ and never watched his content, you’re missing out.

He walks through gameplay with a calm voice and brilliant strategy tips, making the most complex mechanics feel doable. While he now covers other Civilization titles, his Civ VI series is still gold — especially if you’re chasing a Science win or trying to survive a Deity-level AI rampage.

What Makes Civ VI So Addictive?

Here’s what I love about it:

✅ Strategic Depth – From city placement to policy cards, there’s always something to optimize.
✅ Endless Replayability – Dozens of leaders, maps, and victory types mean every game is different.
✅ Gorgeous, Living Map – It’s colorful, dynamic, and changes as you advance through the ages.
✅ Expansions Add Even More – Rise and Fall, Gathering Storm, and the New Frontier Pass keep things fresh.
✅ That Sweet Sean Bean Narration – “When you find yourself in a hole… stop digging.”

But It’s Not Perfect

As much as I love Civ VI, let’s be real:

❌ Early AI Was Dumb – And still sometimes is. “Why are you declaring war with slingers in the Atomic Era?”
❌ Diplomacy Can Be Weird – Leaders often act irrationally because of preset agendas.
❌ Late Game Can Drag – Once you’re winning, the rest is just mopping up.
❌ Balance Is Off – Some civs (cough Babylon cough) are just plain broken.

How It Compares to Other Civ Games

If you’re wondering how Civ VI stacks up against the older games, here’s the short version:

• Civ III: A bit clunky now, but introduced culture and borders. Important, but dated.
• Civ IV: Deep systems, strong modding, and arguably the smartest AI. Still a favorite for many.
• Civ V: Brought hex tiles and 1 unit per tile. Sleek and balanced, especially after expansions.

Civ VI is the most mechanically rich of the bunch — with city planning, loyalty, climate change, and more. It’s not perfect, but it’s the most dynamic and sandboxy of the series.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never played Civilization VI, now’s a great time. With all its expansions and updates, it’s in top shape. But be warned: it’s a serious time sink. You’ll start a game after dinner and suddenly it’s 3 AM and you’re researching satellites while trying to fend off a surprise religious victory from Sweden.

And if you’ve already played it… well, maybe you understand why I keep coming back for “just one more turn.”

Let me know in the comments: What’s your wildest Civ VI moment? Have you ever rage-quit after losing a Wonder by one turn? (We’ve all been there.)