Civilization 7 Already Has Negative Reviews On Steam, But The Developers Have Heard Fans' Pleas
Sid Meier's Civilization 7 has met with some negative responses, but developers at Firaxis are already working on a fix. The latest installment in the long-running strategy franchise has made several changes to the Civ formula, some apparently more popular than others. While many of these changes exist to make the game easier for newer players, Civ 7 may have alienated some of its longtime fans as an unintended result. But Civ 7's devs promise they're on the job.
A review by Steam user xXx_Gwenyth_xXx addresses numerous issues with the game, but the reviewer's main complaint is that the game feels unfinished - or, more accurately, that "calling this 'unfinished' is generous." They cite numerous missing features, like an obfuscating and incomplete UI, where important information for their game isn't readily visible. Other features are outright missing, including the ability to automate explorers, queue selections on the tech tree, or customize the map in pre-game advanced settings.
Civ 7 is the first game in the series to release simultaneously on PC and consoles.
Players Say Civilization 7 Feels "Unfinished"
Civ 7 Is Missing Several Features At Launch
In short, Civ 7 doesn't feel like a complete Civ game in its current state - and this one reviewer isn't alone. It currently has a Mixed rating on Steam, which, compared to Civ 6's Very Positive, and Civ 5's Overwhelmingly Positive, isn't great. Other common complaints relate to the game's weak AI and lack of consequences for poor strategy. Mechanics like Crises, and the turnover from Age to Age, are also unpopular, since, as xXx_Gwenyth_xXx puts it, "you are actively PUNISHED for doing well."
The ability to mix and match leaders and civs, long thought of as an interesting customization option, also came under fire in many player reviews. Some object on the basis of historical accuracy, but others hold that it has a devastating effect on gameplay. Players are actually forced to swap civs every time an Age progresses, which means they'll have to completely change their strategy.
Many reviews refer to Civ 7 as unfinished, incomplete, barebones, unrefined, et cetera. Many fans are upset at the combination of missing features and a higher price tag - Civ 7 is the first in the franchise to go for $69.99 USD, instead of $59.99 like its immediate predecessor. Fortunately, Firaxis is working on fixes for fan's issues with Civ 7.
The Developers At Firaxis Have Responded To The Fans With Hopeful News
Civ 7 Is Being Fixed
In a Steam news post, representatives of Firaxis say they've been reading all the recent Steam reviews, and are developing improvements across three key areas. Its top priority is improving the UI, making it more intuitive and easier to read at a glance. It's also working on commonly requested features, such as co-op and hotseat multiplayer. It also promises various "quality-of-life" improvements in Patch 1.1.0, which is scheduled to come out in March, including bug fixes, balance tweaks, and AI improvements.
It's a promising statement, butthose pretty words will need to translate into action to placate leagues of unhappy Civ fans. But even the most negative reviews, like xXx_Gwenyth_xXx's, end on a positive note. "There is SOMETHING here. The environments look great, the game feels less cartoonish like Civ VI attempted to be, and there are exciting mechanics and ideas here worth exploring in the long-term." So there is a kernel of good gameplay in Sid Meier's Civilization 7 - it's just going to take a lot of updating to bring it out.
Sources: xXx_Gwenyth_xXx/Steam, Steam
Sid Meier's Civilization VII
OpenCritic Reviews- Released
- February 11, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ // Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Mild Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Firaxis Games
- Publisher(s)
- 2K
- Engine
- Gamebryo Engine
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