Civilization VII: A New Era in Strategy Gaming
If we follow the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, ”Civilization VII stands as a testament to this principle. Firaxis has undoubtedly fashioned one of the most aesthetically pleasing and welcoming installments in the franchise’s history. However, the introduction of certain new features, particularly the Ages system, somewhat detracts from its potential to be the ultimate edition in the series.
My Journey with the Civilization Franchise
My adventure with the Civilization series began relatively recently, starting with Civilization Revolution and its sequel on my iPad. I then transitioned to Beyond Earth on PC, and more recently, Civilization VI. Although strategy games are not my primary choice, the detailed and intricate mechanics of Civilization have captivated me, especially in multiplayer settings.
Gameplay Mechanics: A Familiar Yet Enhanced Experience
Civilization VII largely mirrors its predecessor, building upon its mechanics while improving overall performance. Controls are intuitive and responsive on various devices, including controllers and the Steam Deck, making gameplay feel fast and seamless. The smooth transition between actions—whether in single-player mode or multiplayer—ensures an enjoyable experience.
Victory Conditions: Diverse Paths to Success
The primary objective remains consistent: select a leader and strive for victory through various conditions. At launch, players can pursue one of four principal victory types: Military, Culture, Science, and Economic. While some victory conditions are absent, the existing options cater well to diverse playstyles. The Military path, for instance, focuses on world domination, while the Science path—my personal favorite—centers around advancing in the space race.
Diplomacy and Empire Building
For players who prefer diplomacy over warfare, Civilization VII allows for peaceful interactions with other leaders. You can engage in trade, establish open borders, and cultivate your empire without direct conflict, making it easier to pursue Culture or Economic victories. This emphasis on strategic freedom is one of the game’s most appealing aspects.
Enhanced City Management and Leader Customization
The game offers more flexibility in city management than ever before. Players can choose specific tiles for city expansion, facilitating network building and territory optimization. Customization extends to the leader system as well; you can select a leader and civilization independently, mixing and matching attributes to craft a unique strategy that fits your gameplay style.
Despite the complexity it may suggest, the game remains accessible, particularly for newcomers. The tutorials are comprehensive yet concise, ensuring players grasp essential mechanics without feeling overwhelmed. Players can also opt for in-depth explanations to delve deeper into the game’s intricacies.
Learning Curve and Gameplay Improvements
Notably, many previously misunderstood elements of Civilization VI, such as technology upgrade trees, are now clearer due to improved explanations in Civilization VII. Additionally, new gameplay features—like uniting troops under a single command—enhance the strategic options available to players.
The Controversial Ages System
However, a significant drawback of Civilization VII is the introduction of the Ages system. Unlike previous iterations where players progressed through eras organically, this new feature standardizes Ages—Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern—across all civilizations. Players collectively advance the game’s Age, leading to a quasi-reset where everyone selects a new civilization while retaining their leader.
The nuances of the Ages system come with advantages; certain structures and Legacy Path points carry over between Ages, potentially aiding players in achieving victory. However, the system feels disjointed and disrupts the game’s flow, making progression feel jarring rather than smooth.
Conclusion: A Game of Missed Opportunities
My experience with the Ages system was less than gratifying; I completed only two full matches, each taking around 12-15 hours, before opting for shorter play sessions. Until Firaxis addresses this issue, I find myself playing solely through the Modern Age rather than engaging with the entire system—a feature that should enhance gameplay but currently feels obligatory.
Additionally, the configuration options in Civilization VII are somewhat limited, as players have few ways to customize their experience beyond adjusting the length and size of matches. The leader pool also feels sparse, lacking many iconic figures from the franchise, which could be perceived as a strategic move to entice players with future DLC releases.
In summary, Civilization VII showcases remarkable potential and excels in numerous areas, especially regarding its stunning graphics and gameplay fluidity. The game’s beauty and engaging mechanics make it a joy to play—provided you can overlook the problematic Ages system. As it stands, this installment is a significant step forward for the franchise, yet it falls short of reaching its full potential as one of the greatest strategy games to date.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is set to release on February 11, 2025, for Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
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