Civilization V cover art

games like

Civilization V

Civilization V leans Optimization (Pure Optimization). Below: catalogued games with the closest cheat-test profile, and exactly where each one differs.

Matched first against: Simulator, Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS) - then ranked by cheat-test profile.

EXECUTION2 /10READS2 /10VARIANCE5 /10OPTIMIZATION9 /10

12 games like Civilization V

A cross-genre tag below means that pick didn't share a genre - it filled a slot on cheat-test profile alone.

Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords cover art
Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith LordsPure Optimization · story-driven RPG

Both lean on execution about the same (2 vs 2). Biggest difference: reads (2 vs 1) - Influence system uses scripted dialogue triggers, no adaptive opponent

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Divinity: Original Sin 2 cover art
Divinity: Original Sin 2Pure Optimization · tactical party RPG

Both lean on execution about the same (2 vs 2). Biggest difference: optimization (9 vs 10) - Lone Wolf builds and damage-type stacking define solved optimal strategies

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Inscryption cover art
InscryptionPure Optimization · narrative deckbuilder

Both lean on reads about the same (2 vs 2). Biggest difference: execution (2 vs 1) - No reflex demands; turn-based card play.

full comparison →
Pillars of Eternity cover art
Pillars of EternityPure Optimization · isometric party RPG

Both lean on execution about the same (2 vs 2). Biggest difference: reads (2 vs 1) - All AI opponents use fixed scripted behaviour trees

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Fire Emblem: Awakening cover art
Fire Emblem: AwakeningPure Optimization · tactical SRPG

Both lean on execution about the same (2 vs 2). Biggest difference: reads (2 vs 1) - Enemies follow simple aggro patterns on fixed maps

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Honkai: Star Rail cover art
Honkai: Star RailPure Optimization · turn-based RPG

Both lean on execution about the same (2 vs 2). Biggest difference: reads (2 vs 1) - PvE only with scripted enemy behaviour throughout

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Fire Emblem Fates cover art
Fire Emblem FatesPure Optimization · tactical SRPG

Both lean on execution about the same (2 vs 2). Biggest difference: reads (2 vs 1) - AI follows scripted attack priorities, not player modeling

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Wasteland 2 cover art
Wasteland 2Pure Optimization · tactical party RPG

Both lean on execution about the same (2 vs 2). Biggest difference: reads (2 vs 1) - All enemy factions use scripted behaviour with no player adaptation

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Icewind Dale II cover art
Icewind Dale IIPure Optimization · isometric party RPG

Both lean on execution about the same (2 vs 2). Biggest difference: reads (2 vs 1) - Scripted enemy routines offer nothing to read or predict adaptively

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Invisible, Inc. cover art
Invisible, Inc.Pure Optimization · turn-based stealth

Both lean on execution about the same (2 vs 2). Biggest difference: reads (2 vs 1) - Corporate guards patrol on scripted timers; no adaptive opponent

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Fallout 2 cover art
Fallout 2Pure Optimization · isometric RPGcross-genre

Both lean on execution about the same (2 vs 2). Biggest difference: reads (2 vs 1) - All tribal and Enclave enemies run fixed scripted combat routines

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Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn cover art
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of AmnPure Optimization · isometric party RPGcross-genre

Both lean on execution about the same (2 vs 2). Biggest difference: reads (2 vs 1) - Enemies run scripted behaviour patterns, never modelling your tactics

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Game details

Released
2010
Developer
Firaxis Games
Franchise
Sid Meier
Platforms
Linux, PC, Mac
Modes
Single player, Multiplayer
IGDB critics
87/100
IGDB users
85/100
SimulatorStrategyTurn-based strategy (TBS)FantasyScience fictionHistoricalWarfare4X (explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate)