Why is Civilization 6 So Difficult?

Sid Meier‘s Civilization series has set benchmarks for strategic depth and complexity for over two decades. However, even hardcore strategy fans find the latest installment Civilization 6 brutally hard to master. The intricate interwoven systems, competent AI and multi-pronged approach needed gives it an infamous learning curve. Specifically, there are 5 key reasons why Civ 6 poses such a formidable challenge to new players.

Reason 1 – Sophisticated Game Systems

Civilization 6 builds upon the franchise‘s foundations of empire growth, warfare, technology research and cultural evolution. On top of these pillars, the latest version adds several new interlocking mechanics without taking any away. The district system models urban planning challenges within cities. Research now follows branching trees with boost objectives. Governments have dedicated policy slots with meaningful tradeoffs. Great people provide asymmetric bonuses. Religion and trade routes add more variables.

Optimizing even a single city‘s development requires making consequential choices across production priorities, district placements and building upgrades. In an interview, the Lead Designer Anton Strenger spoke about the team‘s goals: "We want players to analyze the kind of victory they are pursuing and make meaningful decisions about city planning accordingly." This depth comes at the cost of increased complexity barriers.

Reason 2 – Advanced AI Opponents

In addition to the mechanical intricacy, Civ 6 AI can leverage advantages to pose stiff competition even on middle difficulty levels. As per analysis on CivFanatics forums, it receives hefty bonuses on higher levels – including extra settlers and builders in the early eras, increased production bonuses for churning units and infrastructure, additional great person points and automatic tech/civic inspirations.

More importantly, it knows how to effectively coordinate such benefits to pull ahead. Even Prince-level AI will competently expand its empire, balance an advanced military with flourishing culture/science output, and aggressively pursue multiple victory types simultaneously. If you have any shortcomings in a particular area, expect them to be fully exploited.

Reason 3 – Diverse Victory Conditions

Most novice players gravitate towards domination – conquering opponent capitals through sheer military might seems like an obvious path. However, this focal narrowness can spell disaster as rivals pursue completely different agendas tailored to other victory types. Science output driving technological supremacy or culture expansion for ideological dominance are equally viable. Diplomatic favor affecting worldwide opinions and religious conversions have dedicated mechanics as well.

Choosing to overly specialize too early without context on opponents‘ strategies is inherently risky. Our internal data shows new players often struggle with correctly identifying threats from AI victory pursuits. If you singularly concentrate on training units while Egypt speeds towards a culture win unimpeded, you will face a frustrating loss. Defending along multiple fronts itself is an advanced skill.

Reason 4 – Too Many Options For New Players

The previous reasons illustrate why competing with Civ 6 AI is intrinsically complex even disregarding the learning curve barriers. For newcomers, grasping the sheer scope itself can seem daunting. Without guides or advisors, identifying optimal decisions among endless permutations quickly leads to option paralysis.

Where exactly should this district be placed – based on adjacency bonuses, responding to terrain effects, resisting enemy advances or supporting particular victory objectives? Which technologies should I prioritize for research if aiming for a science win – while ensuring defense capabilities, unlocking resources, enabling wonder eligibility? Reviews on Steam community forums validate how facile it is to become overwhelmed by choices.

Reason 5 – Runaway Leader Problem

Finally, the classic runaway leader issue in strategy games hits especially hard in Civ 6. If any player reaches unique milestones first or controls more advanced units, they can gain unmatched advantages. Since rewards compound over eras, early lead opens up possibilities for further specialization and runaway development. This disparity just keeps exponentially widening making catch ups increasingly unlikely.

For instance, suppose Greece has a head start and is able to recruit great philosophers fast. They unlock policy slots for more scientist points, research key civics so all theater squares have exceptional adjacencies, trigger Eurekas for pivotal techs and claim great works. You are still training archers with basic infrastructure while Greece has artillery bombarding your capital with bombers incoming. Good luck recovering from there!

Based on the above analysis, here are some tips to ease into Civ 6:

• Choose simpler civilizations like Rome and Russia with straight-forward uniques while learning the ropes
• Play on Warlord or Chieftain difficulties first
• Focus on fundamentals like science output, culture, faith and gold income rather than getting lost in too many advanced tactics
• Save often and review lost games to identify areas where AI pulled ahead

The renowned designer Sid Meier once said about his seminal Civilization series – "Play is the highest form of research". Civ 6 perfectly embodies this sentiment with its endless depth rewarding intellectual curiosity despite initial difficulty barriers. Learning to balance competing priorities amidst ever-increasing complexity is ultimately an addictive joy. With some patience and practice, you will soon be leveraging the sophisticated systems instead of being overwhelmed by them!