I'm really interested in playing something that learns something new. The CIV games taught me so much about culture, history, and geography while I was actually having fun. I would love another game that is similar but with the above subjects. Anyone have suggestions? I went ahead and purchased Creatures (a reviewer mentioned genetics) and I got Shenzhen I/O on standby. I also purchased Code Spells on Steam and Capitalism (economics) here. Any others? I'm open to all genres from FPS, RPGs, and simulation.

Thanks

If you want to learn something about low-level programming, I recommend Human Resource Machine. You could give TIS-100 a go as well, but that is not nearly as accessible, and somewhat more difficult. Shenzhen I/O is also on the difficult side I'd say.

Wasn't there a Chem game in here or am I having another acid flashback?

I remember seeing one released and realizing I was way too stupid to play it.

Spacechem?

I think that was it, but even if not, it's still a great suggestion for the OP.

Yeah, Spacechem is also by Zachtronics (TIS-100, Shenzhen I/O) and in the same vein, but it doesn't really teach neither chemistry nor programming. It is "just" a puzzle game, with a chemistry theme and a programming mindset, but not actually teaching the player much about either subject.

I have not played this game, but you may want to take a look.

https://www.gog.com/game/sokobond EDIT: corrected formatting

TIS-100, Shenzhen I/O, Spacechem, and Infinifactory are all games about low-level programming (listed in order from unapologetically hardcore to "inspired by").
For electronics, I recommend Bomb Squad Academy (not on GOG, unfortunately).

For biology/genetics and some mindblowing algorithms, do this spesh on Coursera, it's secretly free.

You could try reaching Dual 2-Back on Brain Workshop

Also, the construction game Mechoecho is currently 80 % off. I haven't gotten very far in it, but the construction is easy to get into and there's a sandbox mode!

I don't know if you can find them anymore, Eofu (or get them running, for that matter), though there was series I enjoyed back in the early 2000s by a company called Tivola, consisting of Physicus, Bioscopia, and Chemicus.

They are first-person, slideshow (Myst-like) puzzle games that teach basic physics, biology (zoology, botany, and genetics), and chemistry through what amounts to a lot of clicking. I remember them fondly, but am not sure how well they've aged.

This game is supposedly good for teaching (kids?) about particle physics. It is a mobile game, for Android and iOS (but I guess you could run it on PC with an Android emulator?).

http://www.bigbanglegends.com/

I haven't played it, but I read a news paper article about it where it seemed to be recommended quite a bit, and it was mentioned notably that unlike many other "teaching games", it is actually fun also as a game, while still teaching about particle physics.

EDIT: But I am unsure if it is available in US at the moment? According to the description, it seemed heavily region-locked, available mainly in parts of Europe and Asia? I wonder why it is so restricted, is it forbidden to try to teach US kids about particle physics or what?

I only have two 'light' examples. So you definitely learn something, but it's more fun than anything else. They're not on gog though so you'll have to set up each through dosbox.

Quarky & Quaysoo's Turbo Science - It's more of a general science educational game more or less starting at the senior level of primary school. It covers a bit of chemistry and electricity. But it's an incredibly cool game in its own right. LGR did a video on it.

Island of Dr Brain - A much bigger game than Turbo Science from the same time that also covers a wider range of subjects : mechanics, music, language, art, math. As for chemistry, biology, electronics and genetics : apart from biology, there is a puzzle related to each. And each puzzle has I think 3 versions, depending on difficulty. The electronics puzzle comes in the form of a logic gate puzzle, and it's most difficult version is a real head scratcher!
For all of the subjects tested in the game's puzzles, a light treatment is given in the game manual which is almost like a small textbook that's fun to read. The manual can still be downloaded. Check it out:
http://www.sierrahelp.com/Documents/Misc/The_Island_of_Dr_Brain_-_EncycloAlmanacTionaryOgraphy.pdf
It's completely readable, but for some reason not very high quality. I've searched before but couldn't find a high quality version online.

Btw. I often hear that its precursor Castle of Dr Brain is the better game of the two.

Try one of those anime datingsims, apart from the electronics though maybe there is some cyborg/femmebot version.

I have a CD somewhere around here for a game called Physicus which taught physics. I believe there were other games in the series such as "Chemicus" or somesuch which taught chemistry and other subjects. Adventure games a bit in the style of Myst. Those are worth looking into.
Edit: Criminy, I've been ninja'd. Didn't even notice.
Re-edit: I found an online game I remember called "Code Fred". There are some similar games out there, mostly produced by museums, which are somewhat educational.
http://www.msichicago.org/play/codefred/#.WT-8U5ArJEZ
Re-re-edit: Ah, here's a whole list. Some seem kind of irrelevant, but others look interesting.
http://www.sciencegamecenter.org/games