>The general consensus is that Civ 4 is the series' high point. I prefer Civ 5 myself, though. It set out to streamline the Civ formula, which led to a game a lot of purists thought was too simplified but I found quicker to play and more enjoyable.

5 is a perfected 4. 4 Will forever be the GOAT because of Leonard Nimoy's narration, but 5 is technically the better game IMO.