Check out Unciv too! It's an open-source recreation of Civ V. The old Civ games are great, but they started using a hex grid with Civ V and (as a fan of classic Fallout) it is a game changer for me. Plus Unciv has the Fairline units mod, which uses unit graphics from Civ II.

Civ V will be the GOAT for me personally, although I have the most hours in 6 only because a few friends played and we would do online matches.

Welcome! Your life will forever be dominated me by “one more turn…”

If you like Civ 2, be sure to try Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri (avoid the expansions though, at least for your first playthrough).

I wished I’d experienced nuclear Gandhi when I played this back in the ’90s.

• Civilization III - Still love it because I grew up with it and think it. The modern tech music is my favorite.
• Civilization VI - I love the streamlined mechanics over Civ 5. No tedious route building and maintaining, but would say both games are top notch for the series.
• I also enjoy Unciv and aside from the online play I think single player is well polished. Online play it sometimes disconnects for me and doesn't tell me so I don't realize it is my turn. And once I reconnect I realize the game and all the other players are waiting on me to take my turn.

Civ 5 is the best, albeit I've only played 5, 3 and Freeciv.

stick to the early ones. the newer ones add very little.