Currently, you can get a strategy game on Steam for only €4, a game that combines the gameplay of Civilization with stories reminiscent of Crusader Kings.
Which game is it? It refers to Old World. The 4X strategy game from Mohawk Games initially resembles the famous Civilization series, and Soren Johnson, the lead designer of Civilization 4, is behind the project.
Old World was released on May 5, 2020, initially exclusively on the Epic Games Store. The release on Steam and GOG followed on May 19, 2022. Since then, the strategy game has continued to receive updates and DLCs. The last DLC for Old World was released in March 2025 and unleashed the wrath of the gods upon you.
On Steam, you can currently get Old World for €3.99 instead of the usual €39.99. This offer is only valid until January 22, 2026.
Here you can see the trailer for the “Wrath of Gods” DLC for Old World:
Civilization meets Crusader Kings in Antiquity
What kind of game is this? At its core, it is a 4X strategy game that closely resembles Civilization. You initially choose a people and your leader. Some peoples allow you to choose from several different leaders, each with their own bonuses.
After that, you select the map and difficulty level for your game. There are pre-made historical maps, but you can also create a random map. Once you are in the game, you’ll encounter the first mechanics familiar from the Civilization series:
- The map is divided into many small hexagonal fields. Many of these contain important resources like horses, stone, or iron.
- You found cities with settlers; with workers, you build farms, mines, and many other buildings around your cities.
The first major difference from Civilization is that you do not lead your people through the various ages of human history. The game begins in Antiquity and remains there. Additionally, Old World mixes in some family mechanics known from Crusader Kings.
You are not only leading your people through the game, but also your dynasty: Family members are repeatedly involved in events and dilemmas that can impact their future. If your family dies out, the game ends.
Old World is “the true Civ-killer”
What do players say about Old World? On Steam, the strategy game is rated “very positive” – out of over 5,000 reviews, 82% recommend the game. Old World is thus received much better than other titles that aimed to establish themselves as “Civ killers,” such as Humankind or Ara: History Untold.
Regarding player numbers on Steam, Old World trails significantly behind the well-known Civilization series. Even the controversial Civ 7 had nearly 10,000 concurrent players in the past 24 hours (as of January 20, 2026, 12:20 PM, via SteamDB). Old World had about 1,300 concurrent players in the same timeframe (via SteamDB).
Nonetheless, fans insist that Old World is the better game:
- User Fouadh writes in his Steam review: “This is the true civ killer.” At that time, he had already invested over 4,700 hours into the game.
- robeofmanhog writes as a Civ fan after over 3,800 hours in his Steam review: “If you’re a fan of the 4X genre, this is a must play.”
As a strong alternative to Civilization, which still receives updates, Old World also made it onto our list of the best strategy games in 2025. From real-time strategy to building, including new hits and old classics, everything is included. So be sure to stop by if you’re looking for more recommendations: The 15 best strategy games for PC 2025
