Sid Meier's Civilization V

Sid Meier's Civilization V from 2010 abandoned the square map of previous entries in favor of a hexagonal grid and introduced the one-unit-per-tile rule, which made moving armies a much more tactical affair than before – the player could no longer simply stack dozens of units on a single tile and wait to see who would win by numbers, but had to position units across the map with regard to terrain and chokepoints. City-states also came into play as an independent diplomatic force, and a new system of social policies replaced the earlier forms of government from the fourth game.

These changes divided the series' players at launch – some appreciated the deeper combat tactics and clearer map, others missed some mechanics from the fourth game that didn't make it into the fifth right away and were missing for years until expansions added them. Gods & Kings and especially Brave New World, however, gradually filled the game out with religion, espionage, culture, and international trade to such an extent that the final, fully expanded version is today considered one of the most balanced experiences in the entire Civilization series.

Even years later, Civilization V remains among the most played entries in the series thanks to accessible controls, a polished multiplayer, and an extensive modding community that still expands the game with new civilizations, maps, and scenarios, even long after the release of the sixth game, which built on the fifth with an even more elaborate system of cities and districts. Many players, moreover, still prefer the fifth game precisely for its clearer, less fragmented city map.

Why play it: A great entry point into the series for newcomers and also an excellent choice for veterans thanks to hexagonal tactics and balanced content across both expansions.