With rumors of Civilization 6 being offered for free by the Epic Games Store on May 21, new players to the series may be curious about what makes the games loved. Scenarios in each of the games, such as a Battle Royale mode in Civilization 6 or the American Civil War in Civilization V, give players the chance to play through historical events or play futuristic settings.
Civilization 6 is offering a New Frontier Pass which will offer new content updates for players who buy the pass. For players to know what scenario is worth their time, as well as which they can avoid, here are five of the best scenarios, along with five of the worst scenarios in the Civilization series.
10 Worst: Wonders of the Ancient World (Civilization V)
Wonders of the Ancient World is a scenario that was released in the Wonders of the Ancient World Scenario Pack for Civilization V. The goal of the scenario is to build the most wonders before the game ends. There are only seven wonders to build, those, of course, being the seven wonders of the ancient world.
While it is fun to race the other civilizations in building wonders, making an entire scenario around it is not as fun. Instead of unlocking the wonder through research, the player must gain a certain amount of gold, culture, or science to be allowed to build the wonder.
9 Best: Global Thermonuclear War (Civilization 6)
Global Thermonuclear War is a multiplayer scenario in Civilization 6 that pits players against each other in a nuclear war. Players can win this scenario is one of three ways: by nuking the most city centers, having the most tanks if no one has been nuked, or by controlling three city-states.
Being multiplayer only, it pits players against their friends or against other players. It is always fun to surprise your friends with a nuclear attack in regular multiplayer, so having a scenario based around it is a fantastic idea. Plus, with the scenario letting players build nukes faster, who wouldn't want to blow up the world?
8 Worst: Cavalry and Cannonades (Civilization 6)
Cavalry and Cannonades is another multiplayer scenario found in Civilization 6. The scenario starts players in the Industrial Age and gives them 50 turns to conquer the most land on the map. It just seems like what players would already do if they were playing a regular multiplayer game against friends.
While it is multiplayer only, it could have been replaced with a more unique scenario, especially since cavalry and cannon battles are common in the normal game, the scenario does not add anything different.
7 Best: Scramble for Africa (Civilization V)
The Scramble for Africa scenario is added to Civilization V when players buy the Brave New World expansion pack. The scenario follows the historical event when European countries started to colonize Africa. The unique Boer civilization is included in the pack, which, when selected, tasks the player with defending the continent and the civilization's cities.
For players who choose the European powers, players can earn points by taking cities, being the first to discover natural wonders, and taking artifacts back to Europe. Fans of history will enjoy the scenario as they either defend their homeland or work to colonize Africa.
6 Worst: Samurai Invasion of Korea (Civilization V)
The Samurai Invasion of Korea scenario is given to players who buy the Civilization and Scenario Pack: Korea DLC for Civilization V. In the scenario, players can attack Korea and China to take over their cities or defend from the samurais. When defending, a huge force of samurai attack and start to take cities.
Starting off with not many defending troops, it is a challenge to keep the invading armies away. If a defending player happens to have all their cities by turn 16, they will win the scenario. If you have the achievement to prove you beat the scenario on Deity, you truly are a great Civilization player.
5 Best: Red Death (Civilization 6)
Red Death is a Battle Royale scenario that take place in a post-apocalyptic setting. Starting off as a April Fool's joke, the scenario has players fight each other as radioactivity encloses the map after each turn. The civilizations are also called factions instead, and players can choose to play as the Cultists, Borderlords, Jocks, Mutants, Doomsday Preppers, Pirates, Mad Scientists, or Wanderers.
With a remade map that looks like the world after a nuclear war, the scenario is unique from others. With a death circle closing in, it adds to the stress of trying to defeat the other factions and win.
4 Worst: Conquests of Alexander (Civilization 6)
The Conquests of Alexander scenario is given to players who bought the Persia and Macedon Civilization and Scenario Pack. The goal of the scenario is to expand the borders of the Macedon Empire and earn the title of Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great is featured as a great general the player can control, but, if he dies, the scenario ends.
In order to win, the player must conquer 28 cities across the map. The amount of turns depends on the difficulty, with 60 turns if playing on Settler and 37 turns if playing on Deity. While historical, it just seems like a normal game of conquest.
3 Best: Outback Tycoon (Civilization 6)
Outback Tycoon is a scenario that was released with the Australia Civilization and Scenario Pack. The player can choose from four civilizations, with them being Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia. To win, the player must exceed the GPT before time runs out.
Outback Tycoon is one of the more unique scenarios, as it features no combat at all. Instead, there are chance cards that can benefit or harm the player. Playing this scenario allows players to grow Australia into the country it is today.
2 Worst: War Machine (Civilization 6)
War Machine is a multiplayer 1-on-1 scenario from Civilization 6. It is set during World War I and has the player play as either the Germans or the French. The German team will win if they capture Paris before time is up, and the French will win if they defend Paris until time is up.
Sadly, this scenario is only offered for multiplayer. It would be fun to play a scenario that covers all of Europe during World War I, something that has not been done in the Civilization series yet. With the New Frontier Pass, maybe a full World War I scenario will be offered.
1 Best: Empire of the Smoky Skies (Civilization V)
Empire of the Smoky Skies is a scenario that takes place in a steampunk setting. It was released with the Gods & Kings expansion pack for Civilization V. In order to win, a player must keep three titles for more than five turns.
The national wonders in the scenario are changed to fit the steampunk theme, including wonders such as the subterranean colony, Carnegie Hall, and the Analytical Engine. Units most commonly found in the scenario are airships, ironclads, and land ships. Fans of steampunk will enjoy this scenario and the changes it brings.