Games like Civilisation VI: Why Ikariam can be a browser alternative
If you enjoy Civilisation VI because you like building an empire, advancing your culture and competing with other players, you might also enjoy Ikariam. Ikariam is a building strategy game set in an ancient world that you can play directly in your browser – without installation, without a purchase price. This page shows you objectively what makes both games special and where they differ.
What makes Civilisation VI special
Civilisation VI is a turn-based strategy game by Firaxis Games, released on 20 October 2016. The publisher is 2K, and Aspyr implemented it for Mac and Linux. According to the Steam description, you build your empire, advance your culture and challenge the greatest leaders in human history.
Steam key facts at a glance
- Genre: Strategy
- Modes: Single player, multiplayer, PvP, online PvP, LAN PvP, split-screen PvP
- Release: 20 October 2016
- Free-to-Play: No
- Developer/Publisher: Firaxis Games / 2K (plus Aspyr for Mac and Linux)
What Ikariam offers
Ikariam is a building strategy game in the browser, set in an ancient island world. You develop your economy, research in different areas and can interact with other islands and players via ship.
Research tree "Economy" (extract)
The economy branch of research covers many levels, from simple starting technologies to high-level endgame research:
| Research points | Research |
|---|---|
| 12 | Preservation |
| 24 | Pulley system |
| 112 | Prosperity |
| 336 | Wine culture |
| 3,672 | Architecture |
| 10,764 | Culinary specialities |
| 106,560 | Bureaucracy |
| 241,200 | Utopia |
| 532,800 | Future of the economy |
| 5,328,000 | Future of the economy level 10 |
Examples of game content
- Culinary specialities: Allows training chefs in the barracks. Requirements: Holiday resort (Economy) and marketplace (Navigation).
- Architecture: Allows construction of architectural offices. Requirements: Geometry (Economy) and polytheism (Science).
- Pirate fortress & privateering: You can command privateering expeditions. A first expedition brings 115 privateer points and 40 gold. Upgrade level determines expeditions, crew and range.
- Balloon carrier: A floating fortress with balloons that can attack enemies at sea from the air. Requirements: War dock level 7 and floating base.
- Sea chart archive: Reduces travel times – at higher levels, this can mean several hours of time savings for 50 islands.
Where Ikariam differs from Civilisation VI
Both games are strategy games, but they work differently. A few objective differences:
- Platform: Civilisation VI is an installed PC game (Steam). Ikariam runs directly in your browser.
- Cost: According to Steam, Civilisation VI is not a free-to-play title. Ikariam is free to play.
- Setting: Civilisation VI covers all of human history. Ikariam is set in an ancient island world.
- Gameplay: According to Steam, Civilisation VI offers single player, online PvP and split-screen PvP among other things. Ikariam is a continuously running building game in the browser where research and building construction progress over levels.
Which game is better for you depends on whether you prefer a complete game on your own PC or a long-term building game in the browser.
Comparison table: Civilisation VI vs. Ikariam
| Feature | Civilisation VI | Ikariam |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | PC (Steam), Mac, Linux | Browser |
| Free-to-Play | No (according to Steam) | Yes, free to play |
| Setting | Entire human history | Ancient island world |
| Genre | Strategy | Building strategy game |
| Playable instantly without installation | No | Yes |
FAQ
Is Ikariam a replacement for Civilisation VI?
No, both games have different focuses. Civilisation VI is an installed strategy game with various PvP modes, Ikariam is a free browser building game set in an ancient world.
What does Ikariam cost?
Ikariam is free to play in the browser and requires no installation.
Is there research in Ikariam like in Civilisation VI?
Ikariam has a research tree with its own branches. In the economy area, it ranges from small techs like "Preservation" (12 points) to endgame levels like "Future of the economy level 10" (5,328,000 points).
Are there other browser strategy games?
Yes. If you prefer space, you can check out OGame – a sci-fi space strategy browser game as another browser alternative.
Try it directly in your browser
Ikariam is free, runs in the browser and is instantly playable without installation. If building, research and an ancient setting appeal to you, you can just dive in and decide for yourself whether it suits your strategy taste.