If you’ve been scrolling store pages debating which version of the latest Sid Meier’s turn-based strategy hit to pick up, you’ve almost certainly seen the Civilization 7 Anthology pop up as a premium option. I’ve spent hundreds of hours across every Civ release, and I know how easy it is to waste cash on DLC you’ll never actually use, or miss out on content that would completely change how you play for the better. This guide breaks down every part of the anthology bundle, so you can make a call without second-guessing yourself.
What Exactly Is Included in the Civilization 7 Anthology?
The anthology is the most comprehensive Civ 7 bundle available, packaging every piece of official content released for the game into a single purchase. It’s not just a collection of civ packs, either — it includes gameplay content, cosmetics, and exclusive perks you can’t get anywhere else right now. Most players are surprised to find out how much extra content is packed into the bundle beyond the base game, including:
- Full base Civilization 7 game with all day-one patch fixes and balance updates
- 19 exclusive playable civilizations, including the Inca, Mali, and Polynesian empires that were sold as limited-time pre-order bonuses
- 7 hand-crafted scenario campaigns with unique rules and rewards that don’t carry over to standard play
- All cosmetic packs for units, cities, and leader portraits, plus 12 custom soundtracks from previous Civ titles
- Free access to all future minor balance patches and quality-of-life updates for the next three years
You don't have to buy any extra content after purchasing the anthology, which is a big plus if you hate seeing pop-ups for new DLC every time you launch the game. I’ve seen a lot of players assume the bundle only includes civ packs, but it’s way more comprehensive than that, so it’s worth factoring in all that extra content when you’re comparing prices. 19 additional playable civilizations alone add hundreds of hours of new playthrough options, and 7 exclusive scenario campaigns offer a break from standard full-game runs when you want something shorter.
Key Advantages of Picking the Anthology Over Individual Purchases
Even though the Civilization 7 Anthology has a higher upfront cost than the base game, it offers some pretty big perks for players who plan to stick with the game long term. If you bought every piece of content included separately, you’d pay 37% more than the anthology’s retail price, according to recent store pricing data across Steam, Epic, and console storefronts. That savings alone is a big draw for anyone who knows they’ll want to access all the game’s content eventually.
You also get 72-hour early access to all new civs and content drops before they’re released to players who buy individual packs. I tested this when the Mongol civ pack dropped earlier this year, and being able to test their unique cavalry unit before everyone else gave me a huge leg up in my first few multiplayer matches. You’ll also never get locked out of multiplayer lobbies for missing DLC, since most custom lobbies require all players to own the same content to join.
There are small, fun perks too, like exclusive leader skins that are only available to anthology owners. These let you customize your favorite leader’s look, so you can stand out in multiplayer lobbies if that’s something you care about. You also get priority access to beta tests for upcoming balance changes, which is a nice bonus if you like having a say in how the game evolves.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy the Civilization 7 Anthology?
The bundle isn’t a good fit for everyone, so it’s important to be honest with yourself about how you play the game before you spend the extra cash. First, let’s talk about who will get the most value out of the Civilization 7 Anthology’s full content library. If you’re a long-time Civ fan who plays at least 10 hours a month and already owned most of Civ 6’s DLC, it’s a no-brainer. You’ll almost certainly use all the extra civs, scenarios, and cosmetics, and you’ll save money compared to buying content piecemeal.
It’s also a great pick if you love trying out new playstyles, or if you play a lot of multiplayer. If you switch between domination, science, culture, and religious wins every playthrough, the extra civs will give you hundreds of hours of new content to explore. For multiplayer players, you’ll never have to worry about being locked out of a friend’s lobby because you don’t own the right DLC pack.
That said, there are plenty of cases where the anthology is a waste of money. If you’re a casual player who only fires up Civ once every couple of months when you have a free weekend, you’ll never get through all the content included. If you only ever play as 2 or 3 civs and stick to one win type, most of the extra civs and scenarios will go completely unused. You can upgrade to the anthology later if you buy the base game first, so you don’t have to commit to the full bundle right away if you’re not sure. I have a friend who only ever plays as Rome and only goes for domination wins, and he bought the anthology earlier this year and told me he regrets it, because he’s never touched any of the extra civs or scenarios.
Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Anthology Purchase
If you do decide to pick up the anthology, there are a few small things you can do to make sure you get as much value as possible out of your buy. First, start with the scenario campaigns before you jump into standard play. The scenarios are designed to teach you how to use the unique abilities of the exclusive civs, so you’ll be better prepared to use them in standard play later. I made the mistake of jumping straight into a standard playthrough with the Inca first, and I wasted their unique mountain production bonus because I didn’t know how it worked from the scenario.
Second, turn on the random civ selector when you start a new playthrough. It’s easy to stick to the same civs you know and love, but forcing yourself to try new ones will help you get way more value out of all the extra civs included in the bundle. I’ve found a few new favorite civs that I never would have tried if I didn’t use the random selector.
Third, play around with the cosmetic options. You can even mix and match cosmetic elements from different civs to create a completely custom look for your empire, which is a fun little feature a lot of players don’t know about. You can use Inca city skins with Roman unit designs, for example, to make your empire feel completely unique. Finally, join online Civ 7 community groups — a lot of hosts run scenario-specific lobbies that only anthology owners can join, with creative custom rules that make the game feel totally new.
At the end of the day, the right choice comes down to how often you play and what you want out of your Civ experience. If you’re a dedicated fan who wants full access to every piece of content without having to worry about extra purchases down the line, the Civilization 7 Anthology is one of the best values you can find in turn-based strategy right now. If you’re a more casual player, you’re better off starting small and upgrading later if you find yourself craving more content. Either way, you’re in for hundreds of hours of fun building your empire from a tiny settlement to a global superpower.