If you haven't played the previous Civ V, buy that first, unless Civ VI is on sale. Both Civs V & VI are excellent. The enduring question is, whether one is better than the other. Incidentally, Civ IV is still an excellent game, too, and very inexpensive. Civ III is a tad bland, and before III they are too old but with heart. Get IV, V, and VI to have the full Civ experience. Part of the "civ experience" is the joy of comparing the Civs through time. Civs IV, V, and VI all have certain game mechanics unique to them. They all have relevance for creating the next evolutionary stage of Civ, Civ VII. Will VII ever come out? If it does, wait until all the expansions are out, and until they are all on sale as one complete package; and in the meantime enjoy the variety of Civs.

If you haven't played the previous Civ V, buy that first, unless Civ VI is on sale. Both Civs V & VI are excellent. The enduring question is, whether one is better than the other. Incidentally, Civ IV is still an excellent game, too, and very inexpensive. Civ III is a tad bland, and before III they are too old but with heart. Get IV, V, and VI to have the full Civ experience. Part of the "civ experience" is the joy of comparing the Civs through time. Civs IV, V, and VI all have certain game mechanics unique to them. They all have relevance for creating the next evolutionary stage of Civ, Civ VII. Will VII ever come out? If it does, wait until all the expansions are out, and until they are all on sale as one complete package; and in the meantime enjoy the variety of Civs.