Recs.
Updated
SpecsUpdate
Pros
Pro Endless scenarios and replayability
Civilization V has a large assortment of nation leaders to choose from that have an even bigger assortment of scenarios that are able to play out for said leaders. Each game can be quite unique in this way as each leader allows for a different nation to be controlled.
Pro Easy to play quickly or slowly while enjoying a huge map of the world - not just minor battles.
Unlike VI, V is the last of the Civilization Games that can actually be played as quickly as you wish at a global level. For me Domination is the only victory I am interested in. These other ways to win became far more dominant in VI, and the off earth versions. V provides the best war strategy game I have played. It is NOT a shoot-them-up, it does require understanding and some skills, but one does not need to full immerse into the game - aka D&D - to enjoy victory or suffer defeat.
Pro Customization through policies
Policies are used as a tool to gain a variety of customizations that benefit ones society. There is a branching tree of policies that will allow the user to pick certain aspects that will suit them best such as adding law or religion to ones society which will give gains in certain aspects.
Cons
Con No steam workshop support on Linux
The Linux port currently does not support steam workshop, and as the mac port made by the same developers has not received workshop support despite having been out for several years, it is unlikely that it ever will.
Though there are unofficial workarounds to get the mods working.
Con No stats on other Civ attitudes
Unlike past Civilization games there are no longer stats on the attitudes of the players surrounding Civilizations. This allowed one to see how each other nation felt about the player, but now that it is gone one has to guess, which is definitely not as helpful.