Civilization 7 Receives Mixed Reviews on Steam, Developers Respond to Fan Concerns

Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 has sparked mixed reactions from players, prompting the development team at Firaxis to take swift action in response to concerns. As the latest installment in the iconic strategy series, Civ 7 introduces a variety of adjustments to the traditional gameplay mechanics, though not all have landed as intended. While these adaptations aim to lower the entry barrier for newcomers, they may inadvertently alienate devoted fans of the franchise. Firaxis assures players that they are actively addressing these issues.

One particularly critical review from Steam user xXx_Gwenyth_xXx highlights several deficiencies in the game, primarily emphasizing that it feels “unfinished.”The reviewer goes so far as to claim that “calling this ‘unfinished’ is generous.”Among their grievances is a cluttered and incomplete user interface that obscures vital game information. Furthermore, they express disappointment over the absence of key features such as automated explorers, the ability to queue selections within the tech tree, and customization options for maps prior to gameplay.

Civ 7 marks a milestone as the first entry in the series to launch simultaneously on both PC and consoles.

Community Concerns: Civilization 7 Feels “Unfinished”

Critical Features Missing at Launch

The consensus among players suggests that Civ 7 lacks the comprehensive feel characteristic of its predecessors. Its current standing on Steam is Mixed, a marked decline from the Very Positive rating of Civ 6 and Overwhelmingly Positive reviews for Civ 5. Common critiques point towards an underwhelming AI experience and an apparent lack of repercussions for poor strategic choices. Meanwhile, mechanics like Crises and the transition between Ages have incited frustration; as highlighted by xXx_Gwenyth_xXx, “you are actively PUNISHED for doing well.”

The integration of diverse leaders and civilizations, once considered an intriguing aspect of customization, has drawn criticism. Some players argue it compromises historical integrity, while others believe it negatively impacts gameplay balance. Notably, players are compelled to switch civilizations with each Age transition, forcing them to entirely rethink their strategy.

Numerous reviews label Civ 7 as incomplete, barebones, and unrefined, with a growing wave of discontent over the game’s high price tag of $69.99 USD—marking a notable increase from the $59.99 USD of its predecessor. Fortunately, Firaxis is actively working on addressing these player concerns.

Firaxis Developers Offer Hope to the Community

Commitment to Improvement

Civ 7 Overbuilding Cover with Napoleon — Custom image by Katarina Cimbaljevic

While the developers’ recent statements are promising, the true measure of satisfaction will depend on their ability to translate words into meaningful updates that address community grievances. Even critical reviews, such as that of xXx_Gwenyth_xXx, reflect a glimmer of optimism: “There is SOMETHING here. The environments are visually appealing, the game has a more mature aesthetic compared to Civ VI, and it harbors intriguing mechanics and concepts worth developing.”Clearly, Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 possesses the potential for an impressive gaming experience, but it requires substantial revisions to fully realize its capabilities.

Sources: xXx_Gwenyth_xXx/Steam, Steam

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