Civilization VI Nintendo Switch Review: A Perfect Combination of Strategic Depth and Portability?

Hello fellow Switch players! This is your old friend, Xiao Hei, the game enthusiast. Today, we're going to talk about a giant in the strategy game world - Civilization VI (Sid Meier's Civilization VI) on the Nintendo Switch. This game has won the hearts of players worldwide with its deep strategy and endless replay value. So, how does Civilization VI perform on a portable platform like the Switch? Can it let you immerse yourself in the joy of building an empire and conquering the world anytime, anywhere? Next, I will bring you a detailed review from multiple dimensions, and look forward to how it will perform if it runs on the future Nintendo Switch 2.

1. Civilization VI Nintendo Switch Edition: Game Introduction

Civilization VI is the latest installment in the Sid Meier's Civilization series, developed by Firaxis Games. The core gameplay is still about building and developing a civilization, starting from the Stone Age, going through various historical periods, and ultimately surpassing other civilizations in technology, culture, military and other aspects to win. Players can choose different civilization leaders, each with their own unique skills and advantages, which makes the game highly replayable. The Switch version includes the base game, as well as some of the expansion packs released later, such as "Rise and Fall" and "Gathering Storm", which greatly enrich the game content. As for the future Nintendo Switch 2, we look forward to seeing more content running perfectly.

2. Civilization VI Nintendo Switch Edition: GamePlay Review

2.1 Core Mechanics and Strategic Depth

The core of Civilization VI lies in its deep strategic mechanics. Players need to manage the development, research, culture, religion, and diplomacy of their cities. Unlike previous installments, cities no longer develop in a centralized manner, but need to rationally plan districts according to the terrain, such as campus districts providing research bonuses, industrial zones improving productivity, and holy sites spreading religion. The rational layout of these areas directly affects the efficiency and development direction of the city.

The technology and civics trees in the game have also been redesigned, and players need to choose different development routes based on different strategic goals. The diplomatic system is more complex, and players need to establish relationships with other civilizations, conduct trade, and form alliances. In terms of war, the game introduces the concept of unit formations, where multiple units can form legions to increase combat effectiveness.

These complex mechanisms together construct a game world full of strategic depth. Players need to make decisions based on different situations in order to lead their civilization to glory. On the Nintendo Switch, these mechanisms are fully preserved, allowing players to experience the fun of strategy games anytime, anywhere. However, considering the performance limitations of the Switch, there may be lag in the later stages of the game when the scale is large. This should be significantly improved on the future Nintendo Switch 2.

2.2 Game Modes and Customization Options

The Switch version of Civilization VI offers a variety of game modes, including single-player mode, multiplayer mode, and scenario mode. In single-player mode, players can freely choose civilization, map, difficulty and other parameters to customize the game. Multiplayer mode supports local and online multiplayer, allowing players to build empires and conquer each other with friends. Scenario mode provides some challenges with specific goals, such as Vikings and Poland, allowing players to experience the game in different historical backgrounds.

Customization options are very rich, and players can adjust various parameters of the game, such as game speed, resource distribution, victory conditions, etc., to create a game experience that suits them.

2.3 Nintendo Switch Handheld Mode Experience

Civilization VI performs decently in handheld mode on the Switch. Due to the smaller screen, the UI elements appear a bit crowded, especially when there are many cities later on, which may make operation inconvenient. However, the game has been optimized for the touch screen, and players can use touch operations to manage cities, move units, etc., which to some extent makes up for the lack of a small screen.

However, at high resolutions, the frame rate of the handheld mode will drop, especially when the map information is large in the later stages. Considering this, Civilization VI should be able to run at a higher resolution and more stable frame rate on the future Nintendo Switch 2, bringing a better handheld gaming experience. You can refer to the leaked information in nintendo switch2 first look.

3. Civilization VI Nintendo Switch Edition: Graphics and Sound Review

3.1 Visual Presentation

Civilization VI's visual style uses cartoon rendering, with bright colors and exquisite designs for buildings and units. On the Switch, the game's visual performance is generally satisfactory. Although the resolution is lower than the PC version, it can still clearly show the details of the game world.

However, when the city scale is large and the number of units is large in the later stages, the frame rate of the game will decrease, especially in handheld mode. This may affect the game experience. If it can run on the Nintendo Switch 2, I believe the visual performance will be qualitatively improved.

3.2 Sound Effects and Music

The sound effects and music of Civilization VI are excellent. Different civilizations have unique music themes, which can well set off the atmosphere of the game. The sound effects of the game are also very well done, such as the hammering sound when building a building, the footsteps of units moving, and the explosions during combat, all of which can enhance the game's immersion. Overall, the sound effects and music of Civilization VI are well presented on the Switch, bringing a good auditory experience to players.

4. Civilization VI Nintendo Switch Edition: Handling Experience Review

4.1 Joy-Con Operation Experience

Civilization VI can be operated using the Joy-Con controller on the Switch. The game has been optimized for the controller, and players can use the joystick to control the perspective movement, and use the buttons to manage cities, move units and other operations.

However, since the operation of Civilization VI is very complex and requires frequent switching between different interfaces and menus, using the controller may be a bit cumbersome. In addition, due to the small buttons of the Joy-Con controller, you may feel tired after playing for a long time.

4.2 Touch Screen Operation Experience

Civilization VI supports touch screen operation on the Switch. Players can use touch operations to manage cities, move units and other operations. Touch screen operation is more intuitive and more convenient.

However, due to the small screen of the Switch, touch operations may be prone to accidental touches. In addition, some operations still require the use of controller buttons, such as switching between different interfaces and menus. Overall, touch screen operation can be used as a supplement to controller operation, but cannot completely replace controller operation.

5. Civilization VI Nintendo Switch Edition: Plot Analysis

Civilization VI itself does not have a fixed story mode, but it contains many scenario challenges based on historical events and figures. These challenges usually have specific goals and restrictions, such as leading the Vikings to conquer England, leading Poland to resist foreign invasions, and so on.

These scenario challenges allow players to experience the fun of the game in different historical backgrounds, and also allow players to learn more about historical culture. Although the plot of these challenges is relatively simple, they can still bring players a certain sense of immersion.

6. Civilization VI Nintendo Switch Edition: Pros and Cons Analysis

6.1 Advantages

• Strategic Depth: Civilization VI has very deep strategic mechanics, and players need to manage the development, research, culture, religion, and diplomacy of their cities.
• High Replayability: The game provides a variety of civilizations, maps, difficulty and other parameters for players to choose from, and each game will have a different experience.
• Portability: The portability of the Switch allows players to experience the fun of Civilization VI anytime, anywhere.
• Includes Expansion Packs: The Switch version includes the base game, as well as some of the expansion packs released later, greatly enriching the game content.
• Supports Touch Screen Operation: Touch screen operation is more intuitive and more convenient.

6.2 Disadvantages

• Performance Limitations: The performance limitations of the Switch may cause the game to lag in the later stages, especially in handheld mode.
• Crowded UI: Due to the small screen of the Switch, the UI elements appear a bit crowded.
• Cumbersome Operation: Since the operation of Civilization VI is very complex, using the controller may be a bit cumbersome.

7. Civilization VI Nintendo Switch Edition: Score and Summary

Overall, the performance of Civilization VI on the Nintendo Switch is generally good. It completely retains the core mechanics and strategic depth of the PC version, allowing players to experience the fun of this classic strategy game on the Switch. However, due to the performance limitations of the Switch, the game may lag in the later stages, and the UI also appears a bit crowded.

• GamePlay: 9/10 (Full of strategic depth, high replayability)
• Graphics: 7/10 (Cartoon rendering style, but the resolution is reduced on the Switch)
• Sound Effects: 8/10 (Music sets off the atmosphere, sound effects are in place)
• Handling Experience: 7/10 (Supports touch screen operation, but controller operation is slightly cumbersome)

Overall Score: 7.8/10

Civilization VI is a strategy game worth recommending, especially for players who like strategy games. If you are a fan of the Civilization series, or want to try a deep strategy game, then the Switch version of Civilization VI is a good choice. However, you need to consider the performance limitations of the Switch and the crowded UI.

Reference Score:

• IGN: Civilization VI IGN Review (9.4/10) (PC version)
• Metacritic: Civilization VI Metacritic Score (88/100) (PC version)

8. Civilization VI Nintendo Switch Edition: Nintendo Switch 2 Outlook

For the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, I am personally full of expectations for the performance of Civilization VI on it. If the Nintendo Switch 2 can significantly improve performance, then Civilization VI can run at a higher resolution, the picture details will be clearer, and the frame rate will be more stable.

In addition, if the Nintendo Switch 2 is equipped with a larger screen, the UI crowding problem of Civilization VI will be alleviated, and players can more easily manage cities and move units. If the future Nintendo Switch 2 is improved in terms of operation, such as using a controller with a more ergonomic design, or supporting more precise touch operations, the operation experience of Civilization VI will be further improved.

Most importantly, more powerful performance can allow developers to bring more content updates and expansion packs to the Nintendo Switch 2 version, further enriching the gaming experience. For example, more civilizations, maps, units, etc. can be added, or some brand new game modes can be launched. I believe that Civilization VI will usher in a qualitative leap on the Nintendo Switch 2. Considering nintendo switch2 price and nintendo switch2 compatibility, let's look forward to the Nintendo Switch 2 being able to perfectly compatible with existing games at a more affordable price, and bring better performance in games such as Civilization VI.

All in all, Civilization VI is a strategy game worth playing on the Switch. It perfectly combines strategic depth and portability, allowing players to immerse themselves in the joy of building empires and conquering the world anytime, anywhere. For those players who look forward to experiencing Civilization VI on the future Nintendo Switch 2, we have reason to believe that it will bring a better gaming experience. I hope this review can help everyone better understand this game and make more informed purchasing decisions. See you next time!