Which Civilization Game Should You Buy in 2026? A Guide to Civ VI, Civ VII, Editions and DLC

Short answer: buy Civilization VI Anthology if you want the most complete, mature bundle of released Civ VI content. It combines the base game, both major expansions, the New Frontier Pass, the Leader Pass and the listed leader and scenario packs. Buy Civilization VII if you specifically want the newest mainline entry; choose Standard, Deluxe or Settler’s by checking the itemized content, your platform and the live regional price. The higher-priced name is not automatically the better value.

There is no evidence-based universal winner between VI and VII. They are different purchase decisions: one is an established game with a large catalog of expansions, while the other is the newer chapter with several content tiers and continuing post-launch activity. This guide explains exactly what each package contains, what it leaves out and how to avoid paying twice for downloadable content.

#	Preview	Product	Price
1		Sid Meier's Civilization® VII Standard - PC [Online Game Code]	$69.99	Buy on Amazon
2		Sid Meier's Civilization VII Settler's - PC Steam [Online Game Code]	$119.99	Buy on Amazon
3		Sid Meier's Civilization VII Deluxe - PC [Online Game Code]	$50.00	Buy on Amazon
4		Fantasy Flight Games Carta Impera Victoria Board Game - Rise to Supremacy in this Civilization and...	$12.50	Buy on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The fastest way to choose

Prices are intentionally omitted because they change by platform, country, currency, sale and date. Compare the live store total after signing in, not an old price shown in a guide or search result.

What Civilization VI gives you

The base game and its core loop

2K lists Civilization VI’s release date as October 2016. It is a turn-based empire-building game in which you research technology and culture, manage diplomacy, conduct military operations and pursue more than one victory condition. Its official overview also describes tutorial systems intended to introduce new players to the mechanics.

#1 Best Overall

Sid Meier's Civilization® VII Standard - PC [Online Game Code]

• BUILD AN EMPIRE THAT STANDS THE TEST OF TIME - Lead your empire through distinct Ages of human history. Each Age is its own rich, nuanced journey, with unique playable civilizations, available resources, explorable land, and even entire gameplay systems, creating a deep, historically immersive strategy experience. Strive to accomplish significant scientific, cultural, militaristic, and economic milestones within each Age to unlock impactful advantages in the next!
• EVOLVE YOUR EMPIRE AS EACH NEW AGE DAWNS - To build a legacy that truly stands the test of time, you must adapt. Forge your own path through history as you reshape your empire at the start of each Age, selecting from a pool of new Age-relevant civilization options determined by your prior gameplay accomplishments. Evolving your empire unlocks fresh gameplay bonuses and unique units, so your current civilization is always at the height of its power.
• PLAY AS VISIONARY LEADERS OF PROGRESS - Embody an illustrious leader with one of Civilization's most diverse rosters yet, from traditional heads of state known for their militaristic might or political prowess, to visionary leaders who made everlasting impacts in philosophy, science, human rights, and more!
• TEST YOUR STRATEGIC METTLE IN MULTIPLAYER - Compete against other players online and prove your prowess as a great leader.** Multiplayer matches can be epic multi-Age campaigns, or take place in a single Age so you can enjoy an entire game in a single session. Cross-play is supported, so you can play together with friends wherever they are.

$69.99

Buy on Amazon

That breadth matters when deciding whether the base game alone is enough. You can win through different strategic routes rather than treating every campaign as a military conquest. A player who prefers diplomacy, culture, science or territorial control can approach the same map differently. The base game therefore remains a complete game, but the expansions substantially change the systems that operate around your empire.

Rise and Fall

Rise and Fall adds the Loyalty system, Governors and additional diplomacy and government features. It also introduces Dark Ages, Golden Ages and Heroic Ages. These mechanics make the success or failure of individual cities more consequential: loyalty pressure can destabilize a settlement, while era performance can produce advantages or disadvantages that shape the next phase of a campaign.

When comparing a discounted base-game copy with an edition that includes Rise and Fall, treat these as rules changes rather than cosmetic extras. If you want the expanded city-management and era systems, buying the expansion separately later may cost more than selecting a bundle from the start, although the actual saving depends on the current platform sale.

Gathering Storm

Gathering Storm adds climate and tectonic effects, weather hazards, possible ice-cap melt and rising sea levels. It also introduces a future era for technology and civics, new scenarios and additional civilizations and leaders. Environmental conditions can therefore become an active strategic factor instead of background decoration.

Its systems are especially relevant if you enjoy campaigns that evolve over a long time. The expansion adds more to monitor as your empire grows, so a buyer seeking the simplest first experience may prefer to learn the base game before enabling every additional system. Anthology is still the straightforward choice when your objective is to own the complete released Civ VI package.

The pass and pack content in Anthology

The New Frontier Pass is listed as six packs, and the Leader Pass is also listed as six packs. Anthology includes both passes, in addition to separate leader and scenario DLC packs. The official Civ VI material identifies these standalone add-ons among the included content: Australia; Khmer and Indonesia; Nubia; Persia and Macedon; Poland; and Vikings.

These packs are easy to miss when comparing store thumbnails because a platform may display a short product name instead of every component. Open the edition’s full “included” list before checkout. If you already own the base game, either expansion or a pass, calculate the value of an upgrade against the individual DLC you still lack; a bundle is not automatically cheaper when your library already contains part of it.

What Civilization VII’s editions contain

The official purchase page and edition FAQ describe three options: Standard, Deluxe and Settler’s. The FAQ is dated August 18, 2025, while store listings and franchise notices show activity continuing in 2026. Read the following as the named contents of those descriptions, then verify the current listing for any additions made after those documents.

Rank #2

Sid Meier's Civilization VII Settler's - PC Steam [Online Game Code]

• Expand the strategic horizons of your empire and enjoy more options for your reign with Sid Meier's Civilization VII Settler's Edition! Sid Meier's Civilization VII Settler's Edition is the ideal way for new players to start their journey through history with a treasure trove of additional content. Settler's Edition includes: Full base game, the Tecumseh and Shawnee Pack, the Crossroads of the World Collection, the Right to Rule Collection, 4 leader Personas, and the Deluxe Cosmetics Pack.
• TECUMSEH AND SHAWNEE PACK - This content pack adds the leader Tecumseh and the Shawnee civilization to Civilization VII! Tecumseh specializes in diplomacy and defense.
• CROSSROADS OF THE WORLD COLLECTION - Explore new possibilities for your personalized empire with the post-launch add-on content of the Crossroads of the World Collection! Embody two new leaders: Simón Bolívar and Ada Lovelace. Lead four new civilizations: Carthage, Great Britain, Bulgaria, and Nepal. Discover the majesty of four new Natural Wonders: Machapuchare, Mount Fuji, Vihren, and Vinicunca. And expand your experience with a cosmetic bonus.
• RIGHT TO RULE COLLECTION - Explore new possibilities for your personalized empire with the post-launch add-on content of the Right to Rule Collection! Embody two new leaders: Genghis Khan and Lakshmibai. Lead four new civilizations: Assyria, Dai Viet, Qajar, and Silla. Discover the majesty of four new Wonders: Grand Bazaar, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Ubudiah Mosque, and Wat Xieng Thong. And expand your experience with a cosmetic bonus.
• 4 LEADER PERSONAS - Enjoy alternate Personas for four of Civilization VII's leaders, including Ashoka (World Conqueror), Friedrich (Baroque), Himiko (High Shaman), and Xerxes (The Achaemenid)! Each persona includes a unique outfit and background for the respective leader, plus a new Unique Ability and Agenda that reflect a different side of their personality!

$119.99

Buy on Amazon

Standard Edition

Standard is the base game. It is the cleanest choice if you want to play the newest mainline Civilization without paying for optional leaders, civilizations, wonders or cosmetic items. It is also the reference point for judging whether Deluxe or Settler’s provides enough additional content to justify its live price.

Deluxe Edition

The official FAQ lists Deluxe as including the base game, Tecumseh and Shawnee, the Crossroads of the World content and Deluxe extras. Those Deluxe extras include two leader personas, profile customizations and an alternate Scout skin.

The purchase page describes the Crossroads additions as Ada Lovelace and Simón Bolívar; the civilizations or factions Carthage, Great Britain, Nepal and Bulgaria; and four natural wonders. Because store descriptions can change as content is released, use the current platform page to confirm the exact names attached to the Deluxe product you are buying.

Settler’s Edition

The Settler’s description includes the full base game, Tecumseh and Shawnee, the Crossroads of the World Collection, the Right to Rule Collection, four leader personas and a Deluxe Cosmetics Pack. The Right to Rule list names Genghis Khan and Lakshmibai; the civilizations or factions Assyria, Dai Viet, Qajar and Silla; and four wonders.

The FAQ specifically lists Settler’s for Steam and Epic and says it adds the Right to Rule Collection and four personas to the other listed content. This tier is the broadest package described in the reviewed purchase material, but “broadest” does not mean “everything that will ever release.” Do not infer ownership of later expansions, seasons or updates from the Settler’s name alone.

What is cosmetic and what changes the game

Leader personas, profile customizations, an alternate Scout skin and a Deluxe Cosmetics Pack are presentation or role-play additions. Named leaders, civilizations, factions and wonders are gameplay content. Separate those categories when comparing prices: a package can contain many items while adding fewer mechanical options than its name suggests.

Civilization VI Anthology versus Civ VII editions

The table compares the itemized descriptions, not a promise that every platform uses identical packaging. If an item is absent from your store’s current “included” section, ask the platform or retailer before paying.

Which game fits your situation?

Choose Civ VI Anthology when completeness matters most

Anthology is the clearest answer for a buyer who wants one purchase containing the mature Civ VI catalog. You receive the base game, both major expansions, both named passes and the listed add-on packs without assembling a shopping list one DLC at a time. That reduces the risk of overlooking a pack that changes the systems you expected to play.

Rank #3

Sale

Sid Meier's Civilization VII Deluxe - PC [Online Game Code]

• Expand the strategic horizons of your empire and enjoy more options for your reign with Sid Meier's Civilization VII Deluxe Edition!
• Deluxe Edition includes: Full base game, Early Access, the Tecumseh and Shawnee Pack, the Crossroads of the World Collection, and the Deluxe Content Pack.
• BUILD AN EMPIRE THAT STANDS THE TEST OF TIME - Lead your empire through distinct Ages of human history. Each Age is its own rich, nuanced journey, with unique playable civilizations, available resources, explorable land, and even entire gameplay systems, creating a deep, historically immersive strategy experience. Strive to accomplish significant scientific, cultural, militaristic, and economic milestones within each Age to unlock impactful advantages in the next!
• EVOLVE YOUR EMPIRE AS EACH NEW AGE DAWNS - To build a legacy that truly stands the test of time, you must adapt. Forge your own path through history as you reshape your empire at the start of each Age, selecting from a pool of new Age-relevant civilization options determined by your prior gameplay accomplishments. Evolving your empire unlocks fresh gameplay bonuses and unique units, so your current civilization is always at the height of its power.
• PLAY AS VISIONARY LEADERS OF PROGRESS - Embody an illustrious leader with one of Civilization's most diverse rosters yet, from traditional heads of state known for their militaristic might or political prowess, to visionary leaders who made everlasting impacts in philosophy, science, human rights, and more!

$50.00

Buy on Amazon

It is also the safer value comparison when you see a low base-game price but intend to add most expansions later. The relevant comparison is not “Anthology versus a sale-priced base game”; it is “Anthology versus the base game plus every expansion and pass you actually plan to own.” Use your current library to avoid buying duplicates.

Choose Civ VII Standard when you want the new entry at the lowest commitment

Standard suits a player who wants to learn the newest game before purchasing optional content. It gives you a clear baseline for deciding whether additional leaders, civilizations, wonders or cosmetics improve your experience. This approach is particularly sensible when Deluxe and Settler’s are discounted by different amounts across stores.

Standard does not mean an incomplete trial. It is the listed base game. The trade-off is that you will not receive the named Crossroads, Right to Rule, persona or cosmetic items unless you purchase them later or move to a qualifying bundle.

Choose Civ VII Deluxe when the Crossroads content is the attraction

Deluxe is the middle choice for someone who wants the base game plus Tecumseh and Shawnee and the Crossroads package, while placing less value on Right to Rule and the larger persona/cosmetic allocation described for Settler’s. Compare the price gap with the individual cost of the content you would otherwise buy.

Choose Civ VII Settler’s when you want the listed collections now

Settler’s makes sense when you specifically want both Crossroads of the World and Right to Rule, the named leaders and civilizations, the listed wonders and the additional personas. It is most defensible when the live price difference is smaller than buying those items separately and when you play on a platform that offers the edition.

Do not buy Settler’s on the assumption that it is a season pass for all future Civ VII releases. The reviewed purchase page gives a defined list, and 2026 listings indicate ongoing activity without establishing that every later expansion is included.

Platform, physical and digital availability

Platform format can change the practical value of an edition. The official FAQ describes Civ VII Standard as physical or digital on Nintendo Switch; physical on PS5; digital on Steam and Epic; digital for the PS4/PS5 cross-generation version; and physical or digital on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S cross-generation. Confirm the exact console generation and region shown by the retailer.

For Deluxe, the FAQ lists physical or digital editions on consoles and digital-only availability on Steam and Epic. A PC buyer should therefore not expect a boxed Deluxe copy simply because a console retailer displays one.

Rank #4

Fantasy Flight Games Carta Impera Victoria Board Game - Rise to Supremacy in this Civilization and Diplomacy Game! Strategy Game for Kids & Adults, Ages 8+, 2-4 Players, 20 Minute Playtime

• BUILD YOUR CIVILIZATION: Engage in the art of civilization-building and diplomacy as you construct your empire's legacy.
• RACE TO SUPREMACY: Be the first to excel in any field, whether military, cultural, or scientific, and etch your name in history.
• DIPLOMATIC STRATEGY: Form temporary alliances with fellow players to thwart the leading contender and reshape the course of history.
• EFFICIENT DESIGN: Experience the essence of a civilization-building game distilled into a concise set of 104 cards.
• QUICK TO LEARN, ENDLESS STRATEGY: Master the game in just 5 minutes, yet uncover layers of deep strategy that will captivate players of all skill levels.

$12.50

Buy on Amazon

Collector’s Edition warning

The FAQ describes a physical Collector’s Edition with themed collectibles and warns that versions differ: one includes a Steam PC Founders Edition, while another has no game key. Check the package contents in writing before ordering. A box of physical collectibles is not necessarily a license for the game.

Buying a PS5 disc

If you have already chosen PS5 and want a disc, the phrase “Sid Meier’s Civilization VII PS5” is a practical search term. A search result does not verify inventory, seller, region or price, so inspect the actual listing for the disc format, edition name, delivery region and included bonuses.

A no-regrets buying checklist

1. Pick the game first. Decide whether you want Civ VI’s established expansion catalog or Civ VII’s newer mainline release. Do not let an edition label make this decision for you.
2. Write down what you already own. Record the base game, expansions, passes and individual packs in your platform library. Sign in before comparing upgrade prices.
3. Open the full contents panel. Confirm every leader, civilization, wonder, expansion, pass, persona and cosmetic listed for the exact edition and platform.
4. Check format and generation. Confirm physical versus digital, PS4/PS5 or Xbox One/Series compatibility, and whether the PC version is Steam or Epic.
5. Compare the live total. Check the current regional price and sale end date. Prices and discounts are volatile, so an older guide cannot establish today’s best value.
6. Separate owned content from new content. If you already have a base game, compare the bundle’s upgrade price with only the DLC you lack.
7. Check future-content language. Treat a named collection as a fixed list. Look for an explicit statement before assuming later expansions are included.
8. Save your receipt and product page. Keep the edition name and contents visible in case a platform displays multiple similarly named packages.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Assuming the most expensive tier is automatically better

Higher tiers can add gameplay content, personas and cosmetics in different proportions. If you do not want the Right to Rule collection or cosmetic extras, the price premium over Standard or Deluxe may not benefit you. Compare itemized content, not the order in which products appear on a store page.

Confusing an expansion with a cosmetic pack

Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm alter systems and add scenarios, leaders or civilizations. A profile customization or alternate Scout skin changes presentation. Count mechanical additions separately from appearance items when estimating value.

Believing Settler’s includes all future Civ VII content

The listed Settler’s contents are specific collections, leaders, civilizations, wonders, personas and cosmetics. Current 2026 activity does not establish that every later expansion is bundled. Recheck the live store whenever a new content announcement changes the product page.

Buying a duplicate bundle

Platform stores may still show the full price for a package containing items you own, or they may calculate a different upgrade price after login. Compare while signed into the account that owns your existing DLC. If the store does not clearly show the adjustment, contact platform support before purchasing.

Ordering a collector’s box without a game license

Because the FAQ identifies a Collector’s variant with no game key, read the “game included” line rather than relying on the box art or retailer title.

How to compare a sale without being misled

Use a simple total-cost calculation: add the base game and only the DLC you still intend to buy, then compare that sum with each bundle’s current price. Do the calculation separately for each platform because discounts and package availability differ. A 50-percent discount on a base game can still be worse value than a smaller discount on a complete bundle if you would purchase most expansions anyway.

Also compare timing. A one-time sale price is not a permanent standard, and a product page can change when a new collection is released. Record the date and currency with your comparison so you do not treat a temporary promotion as an enduring price.

Final decision

For the broadest released Civ VI experience, start with Civilization VI Anthology and verify the platform’s inclusion list against the DLC you already own. For the newest mainline game, start with Civilization VII Standard, then move to Deluxe or Settler’s only when the named content matches what you intend to play. Physical buyers must confirm the platform format and collector’s-edition game-key details; every buyer should check the live regional store for price and post-launch DLC inclusion.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1

Sid Meier's Civilization® VII Standard - PC [Online Game Code]

$69.99

Bestseller No. 2

Sid Meier's Civilization VII Settler's - PC Steam [Online Game Code]

$119.99

SaleBestseller No. 3

Sid Meier's Civilization VII Deluxe - PC [Online Game Code]

$50.00

Bestseller No. 4

Fantasy Flight Games Carta Impera Victoria Board Game - Rise to Supremacy in this Civilization and Diplomacy Game! Strategy Game for Kids & Adults, Ages 8+, 2-4 Players, 20 Minute Playtime

$12.50

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Civilization VICivilization VIIconsole gamingDLCPC gamingvideo game buying guide