Free Alternative to 'Civ 7': 'Humankind' Available at No Cost in Epic Games Store

For those reluctant to spend EUR70 on 'Civ 7', the Epic Games Store is currently offering a complimentary alternative: 'Humankind' is available for free download. This promotional offer includes the Standard Edition of the title, which was initially released in 2021, and will remain accessible until February 13.

Typically priced at EUR50, 'Humankind' has previously been offered at discounted rates, dipping as low as EUR5 during special promotions. As a 4X strategy game, it shares similarities with the 'Civilization' series, requiring players to explore and develop a world map composed of hexagonal tiles. This makes 'Humankind' an attractive alternative to 'Civilization 7', which is set to launch on February 11 at a retail price of EUR70.

One of the advantages of 'Humankind' is its extensive post-release support, with developers continuing to provide updates and enhancements over the years. However, players seeking the full experience may need to purchase additional downloadable content (DLC) at a combined cost of around EUR50.

The comparison with 'Civ 7' is further justified by a shared gameplay mechanic: both games allow players to switch civilizations throughout their playthroughs. For instance, players can start with the Babylonians in ancient times, transition to the Mayans during the classical era, and then take control of the Umayyads in the medieval period. This feature of dynamic civilizations is a significant aspect of both titles.

Despite its intriguing gameplay, 'Humankind' has received mixed reviews from the gaming community. On Steam, it holds a recommendation score of 67%, categorized as 'Mixed'. Additionally, the review aggregator Metacritic reflects a similar sentiment, with user reviews averaging a score of 6.8 out of 10, while critics have rated it higher, with an average score of 77.

Developed by the French studio Amplitude Studios, known for titles like 'Endless Space' and 'Endless Legend', 'Humankind' originally planned to include Denuvo copy protection but the developers opted against it prior to release.