I would stop looking for advice on a gaming forum and seek professional help.

I wouldn't buy a game in that situation and I wouldn't buy a game that I don't own afterwards in any situation but hypothetically speaking, I would prefer Civilization as I am more of a strategy gamer. That being said, Wukong looks pretty good as well.

Sorry, probably not helpful.

I have a not-yet-redeemed Stardew Valley key if you haven't played that yet... Ditto Stars in Shadow. SiS is my "relaxing" 4x suggestion.

My Old World gift was finally claimed. It's on sale on GOG right now tho (base game); but that doesn't help when your wallet balance is at the criminal's shop.

I would both laugh and cry when looking at the prices and DRM on those games, then buy an older AAA from GOG or indie game instead.

What wolfsite said.
Buying another game in this situation is a big NONO. You are not tackling any problems. You are actively avoiding it.
This is like taking painkillers. It will only numb your pain, but ultimately not fix anything.

Here, read this blog post instead. It's a good start:
https://nickwignall.com/manage-your-stressors-not-your-stress/
(I don't know where I got this link from. Possibly from somewhere else in this forum. Anyways, go and read it!)

Playing video games is never going to solve any social and/or psychological problems.

wolfsite's answer in post #2 should be marked as the correct answer to this thread.

Hope your situation is better.

I agree with wolfsite, gaming is not going to help and you need professional help.

In your position, I would not buy and just play an old game that I already own. You definately want a buffer where you can survive without a job so you have some breathing room when looking for another job.

Since you are seeking a new challenge, I definately would recommend doing a self-imposed challenge on a game you already enjoy. Like a no-upgrade or limited upgrade run, no damage run, speed-run, low-level/no level up, etc. These challenges on a great game allows you to further explore the mechanics of the game and learn about the game far more and appreciate it more as a result.

I think you need to go for a walk and not buy a game, especially when one of the options is a Civilization game (you don't want to add bad time management to your already existing situation). Or just use the time to lie down somewhere in your house (like on a sofa) while trying to relax. I just don't see myself looking for a game to play in your situation, although I can picture one of my friends doing what you're doing in your situation.

Save your money and play something in your backlog that you maybe have had a while. Maybe do a free activity like go for a walk, meditate, watch something on Tubi or Freevee or whatever you have. Perhaps sleeping more will do you some good. I haven't payed full price for a video game in a long time and I'm just as broke as ever. Consider many other options than the ones you present. I will pray for you, if that helps.

I'd play something free, or watch something free, or do something constructive I'd been putting off.

Satisfaction comes from knowing you spent your time wisely. Buying another game and binging on it might feel good in the immediate now, but afterwards you might find you feel worse for it. Depends on your current life and whatever eventuates in the near future.

I would ask the 2 colleagues to lend me 10 euros each, with the intention of repaying them through a favor rather than cash. That should cover the additional cost needed to purchase the game.

I would choose Black Myth: Wukong for a quick and manageable pressure release experience. Civilization games are fantastic, but they require a significant time investment, which isn’t ideal given other adult responsibilities outside work. Black Myth: Wukong offers a more immediate escape and might provide the relaxation and mental break needed.

If the goal is to alleviate pressure and gain insights to tackle challenges effectively. Black Myth: Wukong seems to fit this need better due to its engaging but less time-consuming nature.

Esports gamers?!? Or do you mean game developers?

Ok, but what is your mental health condition? Why do you mention your colleagues' situation? You are not buying the game for them, are you?

I don't let the state of my colleagues to dictate what games I buy or play. Their problems are their problems, my gaming habits are my gaming habits.

If I am busy at work, I am less likely to play anything anyway, unless it is a quick round of.. something, which usually means one or two rounds of Team Fortress 2.

Yesterday was a pretty busy day at work for me, but it was alleviated by the fact that I am now mostly working from home (because they are going to close my "nearest" (60km from me) office next year anyway and there is less and less reason to visit there, usually I am there alone anyway if I go there; the "main office" is 200 km away from me and they are not demanding me to visit there, they are fine with me working remotely as long as I do my work; most in that office work remotely as well and visit the office only like 1-2 days a week).

Anyway, yeah, yesterday was a busy day and I also had to do some Linux server updates in the evening. Anyway, I was quick and started a bit early so I was done at around 8PM, so I had 40 minutes to play Team Fortress 2 before taking my kids to shower and them going to bed.

After that I played Legacy of Kain: Defiance for about an hour but got a bit bored with it and was getting sleepy at around 10PM so I went to sofa to watch "James Bond: Quantum of Solace" from TV which was damn boring as well. I fell asleep on the couch. Oh well. Now working from home again.

The main thing that affects my gaming purchases is how much money I have on my bank account. Right now I have only about 400 euros after paying bills so I've decided to postpone any purchases for now, until I find a new tenant to the apartment I am renting out.

So if it didn't become clear yet, buy that Wukong game. It sounds sexy.

The entire premise of this thread kinda makes 0 sense considering CIV VII only gets released on February 11 2025 (so in roughly 5 Months) so buying it now would do 0 regarding alleviating the current situation regarding <something to take your time away, while enabling you to at the same time to lower pressure levels> (also generally questioning the alleviating part of the games in such a serious situation anyway(.
Meanwhile if the other parts of the parts are true as others already hinted make it a priority to fix the situation at/around work.