Fit check
Is Civilization IV®: Warlords worth it for you?
We tell you who should skip it, too.
Play it if you…
Good fit- Civilization IV players who want additional military-focused content
- Strategy players who prefer historical scenarios and empire management
- Empire-building fans seeking more civilizations, leaders, units, and wonders
Skip it if you…
Saves you a refund- Players seeking a standalone game rather than an expansion for Civilization IV
- Players who prefer a narrowly focused campaign instead of broad empire management and military expansion
- Players looking for a game centered on direct combat rather than civilization-scale strategy
Our take on Civilization IV®: Warlords
The expansion adds breadth to Civilization IV through civilizations, leaders, scenarios, and military systems, but that focus leaves less room for a separate gameplay format. Its value depends on interest in extending the base game’s empire-management structure.
What is Civilization IV®: Warlords?
This expansion adds military-focused content and gameplay changes to Civilization IV.
Players can use a new Warlord great-person type, conquer enemies and place them under vassal rule, and play eight scenarios that offer opportunities to change the course of history. The pack introduces six new civilizations with associated unique units, 10 new leaders, two leader traits, three wonders, and one unique building for each civilization. It also adds units, resources, improvements, and other items throughout the scenarios. Core gameplay receives further tweaks and additions. The pack includes patches and game additions released for Civilization IV, including Pitboss. Its new content supports efforts to expand a civilization’s military power and pursue world domination.
How Civilization IV®: Warlords plays
- 01Warlord great person
- A new Warlord type joins the available great-person categories.
- 02Vassal states
- Conquered enemies can be subjugated and placed under the victor’s rule.
- 03Eight game scenarios
- The expansion includes eight scenarios for changing the course of history.
- 04Six new civilizations
- Each added civilization has an associated unique unit.
- 05Ten new leaders
- The roster adds leaders for the new civilizations and additional leaders for existing ones.
- 06New empire content
- The pack adds two leader traits, three wonders, unique buildings, units, resources, and improvements.
Civilization IV®: Warlords compared to similar games
Men of War: Assault Squad presents a World War II experience combining large-scale strategy with direct, hands-on combat, while Warlords adds civilizations, leaders, wonders, vassal states, and scenarios to an empire-building game. Xenonauts follows a multinational military organization defending Earth from aliens with turn-based operations and persistent soldiers; Warlords instead covers civilization development and military expansion across a broader empire.
Civilization IV®: Warlords: platforms & release
Is Civilization IV®: Warlords worth it?
It is worth it if: civilization IV players who want additional military-focused content. Skip it if: players seeking a standalone game rather than an expansion for Civilization IV.
Where can I download Civilization IV®: Warlords?
Use the Download Now button on this page: it opens Civilization IV®: Warlords's store page, where you can choose how to get it.
What platforms is Civilization IV®: Warlords on?
Windows and macOS.
