In the nine years since the launch of Civilization 6, a handful of contenders have risen to challenge the 4X franchise for the crown. While titles like Millennia may have fallen short of greatness, games like Humankind offer an interesting alternative to Civilization. Everyone is clamoring about the upcoming launch of Civilization 7 on Feb. 11, but if you’d like to try something different right now, you can pick up Humankind for free from the Epic Games Store through Feb. 13.
Humankind bears a striking resemblance to previous entries in the Civ franchise with its hex-based exploration and combat as you lead a culture from antiquity into the space age. But Humankind sets itself apart in a variety of ways, such as providing narrative beats that pop up during your nation’s development, giving diplomacy its own dedicated currency, and allowing you to change civilizations as time progresses. Many of these same features have even made their way into Civilization 7.
However, one of the biggest differences Humankind brings to the established 4X formula is that it includes the ability to make your own avatar, which serves as the leader of your culture. Instead of playing as a random historical figure, Humankind lets you insert yourself into the story of human civilization with a head of state that’s as perfect as you are.
