Best free games like Civilization

If you love Civilization, chances are you have already sacrificed an embarrassing number of evenings to the sentence “just one more turn.” Luckily, there are plenty of free games that can scratch that same empire-building itch without demanding another mortgage. From founding tiny settlements to conquering half the map, these games let you build cities, manage resources, research technologies and occasionally discover that your carefully planned empire has been ruined by one particularly annoying neighbor. Some lean heavily toward the classic Civilization formula, while others mix turn-based strategy with trading, exploration, diplomacy or outright warfare. Whether you miss the old-school charm of Civilization II, want something closer to modern 4X strategy, or simply need a new excuse to ignore your responsibilities until 3 AM, our selection of free Civilization-like games has something worth conquering.