This time it’s not just Civilization’s version of history that’s virtually spotless and free of pesky complications. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI is a nearly spotless game—freer of the menu-diving, micromanagement, and spreadsheet reading than just about any turn-based 4X strategy game I’ve yet played.

If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at exploring, expanding, exploiting, and exterminating ahistorical societies, but were always too afraid of numbers to give Civ a shot, there’s never been a better time to dive in. Newcomers will also be spared the trouble of un-learning all the franchise lessons that Civ 6 throws out of the series’ window. Civ 6 is both the easiest-on-the-eyes Civilization yet, and the series’ biggest departures from tradition (among the mainline “numbered” games, that is).

But Civ’s newfound cleanliness comes at a cost that’s not immediately obvious. While most new mechanics are easy to spot, established Civ conventions aren’t well explained this time around. That’s thanks in part to a greatly reduced “Advisor” system. In previous Civ games, A.I. advisors for military, economics, and culture popped up to give you detailed advice on what step to take next and why.

The concept is still there in Civ 6, but the uniquely themed talking heads have been replaced by just one. As before, her icon appears next to suggested projects. Yet she gives no details on why she’s suggesting you should build a Granary, Settler, Warrior, or what-have-you. You’re forced to take an educated guess.