Sid Meier's Civilization VII

Civilization VII is bold enough to add big changes to its formula, without getting rid of everything that has made the series iconic. Say goodbye to your free time, as from PC to handheld, every waking moment will be consumed by One More Turn.

When you're the best, the hard part is confirming it. Firaxis Games does it again this time, and it does it on many levels. It does it with the revolutionary age system, with specific game mechanics for each of them. And it does it on many small occasions, every time it makes a choice simple and intuitive, perhaps thanks to the cleanliness of the interface. Civilization VII is at the same time the most complex 4X on the market and the easiest to approach, with a remarkable vastness of possible approaches. The fact that the imperfections can be counted on the fingers of one hand is something miraculous.

Sid Meier's Civilization VII stands as a testament to the enduring strength of its franchise, much like a civilization that continues to thrive through the ages. Rather than resting on its laurels, it has evolved, constantly integrating innovation and the best elements from its predecessors to further solidify its place in gaming history. Its ability to embrace change while maintaining its core essence proves that this legendary series is still capable of standing the test of time. Civilization VII reaffirms that the series remains as relevant and compelling as ever.

This instalment breathes new life into a series that, for all its triumphs, had started to feel too constrained by its own illustrious history. [Issue #408, p.108]

Civilization VII is a great 4X experience and every gamer interested in the genre should give it a try. The turn-based mechanics support a wide variety of playstyles and there’s a ton of diversity in leader and civ combinations. The eras system comes across as limited at first, but it basically allows players to play three potentially very different games of Civ in one campaign. A few systems, like religion and internal politics, are limited but will probably get fleshed out in expansions. The end-of-era crisis moments aren’t challenging enough, even on the higher difficulty levels, especially if players pay attention and min-max their cities. Civilization VII changes the formula of the series in interesting ways, although it needs balancing and a better user interface as quickly as possible.

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII manages to give players enough freedom to create their own version of gameplay over and over again. Pairing that with some truly stunning art, and a system that welcomes players new and old, Civ VII is the strategy game to own this year.

Civilization VII is a triumphant return to form, refining what worked while innovating where needed. It reaffirms its place as a top contender in the strategy genre, offering countless ways to plan, build, and conquer. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, you'll find yourself hooked for hours.

The sweeping changes in Civilization VII are nothing but beneficial. This legendary turn-based strategy remains as addictive and engaging as ever, packed with fresh ideas—most notably the ability to change civilizations mid-game. Expect dozens, if not hundreds, of hours of deep strategic enjoyment. The only downside? Some key mechanics seem destined to arrive later via expansions.

Sid Meier's Civilization 7 offers a fantastic experience for fans of the franchise and genre. Its turn-based gameplay loop is endlessly addicting, the civilizations and leaders are a joy to play around with, and its exploration of history is a sight to behold. It has a few flaws that need to be worked out, but just like almost every Sid Meier's Civilization game before it, those will likely be addressed with future patches and DLC content. So, for those veteran players who were eagerly anticipating the next entry or new players who may have never touched this franchise before, this may be exactly what they were looking for.

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is a great game. Firaxis’ work is presented as an extremely complex experience, and from a distance, it can be boring for more than one person. However, once you pay attention to it, you discover something addictive that gives you a shot of dopamine with each new concept you manage to understand. The title allows you to create your own story, and the way in which each civilization advances reacts in real time to your decisions. The way in which a society evolves is natural, and it gives you enough space to work like a book, or go crazy and present scenarios that are the dream of more than one.

With Civilization 7, Firaxis successfully modernizes the franchise while staying true to its legacy. The evolution of eras, more strategic diplomacy, and the new military system bring a much-needed refresh to the series. City management feels smoother, expansion is more natural, and architecture evolves over time, making each empire unique. The visual style, reminiscent of Civilization V, combined with an immersive soundtrack, further enhances the experience. More accessible without sacrificing depth, this installment could become the new 4X benchmark. The big question remains whether Firaxis will provide long-term support, but one thing is certain: Civilization 7 is a turning point for the franchise, and it has what it takes to surpass Civilization V.

Midway through my fourth game of Civ 7, I forced myself to go to bed to squeeze in a minimally appropriate amount of sleep before work. When I woke up in the morning, my first thought was that I wanted to keep building my empire, and that's when I finally knew how I felt about the game. Sid Meier's Civilization 7 is streamlined, strange, and bound to be divisive. It's also, undeniably, Sid Meier's Civilization. As ever, the series stands apart.

Despite the major changes that will surely be met with skepticism by longtime fans, Civilization 7 is a work that is perfectly consistent with the vision of its creators. Taken individually, innovations like the transforming civilizations and the separation between eras might seem jarring, but together they fit seamlessly into the evolution pursued by Firaxis, which is now much more focused on specific moments in human history and provides an outstanding synthesys between the fourth, the fifth and the sixth installment.

Sid Meier's Civilization VII is a fearless evolution of a formula that risked becoming static over the years. The result is undeniably positive, but the idea remains that the studio has kept a couple more weapons in its pocket to stretch out the experience with DLCs and expansions. Even so, and despite a few bugs, Civilization VII is an unmissable experience and is more than ready to stand the test of time, turn after turn.

A courageous chapter in the Civilization saga. The new "Eras" mechanic breathes new life into a trusted formula. The best 4X turn-based strategy game of this generation.

Civilization VII is a bold, feature-rich reinvention of the series, packed with personality and stunning detail. While some issues remain, Firaxis has delivered a landmark strategy game that’s impossible to put down—once it gets its hooks in, you’ll be chasing just one more turn.

Regardless of my minor gripes with the game, Civilization 7 is a ton of fun. The Ages system is a major game-changer and really enhances the genre in a big way. Firaxis probably could have gotten away with a safer approach with this installment, opting for just better graphics. Instead, it boldly revamped a lot of the core systems to make the entire game more streamlined for both newcomers and veterans alike. I’m glad Firaxis is still finding ways to improve a genre it has mastered over the years, and as a result, Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 has the series in its best shape yet.

Despite my gripes, the biggest compliment that I can give Civilization 7 is to say that this review is inconvenient. Any time I’m talking, writing, or thinking about the game, I want to play it. I’ve been writing this for hours, and those are precious hours where I could be growing my Ming empire and slapping the other leaders around. Civ 7 is an absolute banger.

Civilization VII is the most revolutionary and innovative installment of the legendary 4X turn-based strategy saga. The division of the games into 3 eras, and the possibility of choosing a leader and civilization separately are just the tip of the iceberg of a large number of interesting new features. The title offers thousands of hours of content, retains all the features that took the saga to the top, and offers excellent audiovisual finish and a fully polished experience free of bugs.

Civilization 7's biggest changes fix mid- and end-game pacing, clean up clutter on the map, and open up more strategic avenues than ever before. Victory and unit balancing will no doubt be tweaked as developers receive feedback and data, but otherwise, the game is in a great state (something that's becoming increasingly rare in AAA games). Pricing and DLC gripes aside, Civilization 7 should prove to be the best playground for world domination for years to come.

It can’t be denied how impressive Civilization VII is as a complete package. This is a franchise that finds a way to continually satisfy, even when compared to its already glowing legacy. Amongst a sea of strategy games, Civilization VII stands tall as a title that understands its identity, shows incredible attention to detail, and lives up to lofty expectations. Future expansions will undoubtedly fill certain notable absences, but even before then, we still have a formidable release that’s deservingly ready to eat away at your free time.

The best Civilization game to date, offering a much-welcome refresh for longtime fans while providing the perfect entry point for newcomers. Addictive and immersive, it will quickly become your new favorite game as you lose track of time in its deep strategic gameplay.

Firaxis gathered its courage to rethink a license which, more than ever, was in need not of novelty but of a new, solid foundation. There's still a lot to build on, but if we find that 'just one more turn' feeling back, Civilization VII also manages to seduce us for 'just one more game', which is probably the scariest thing I've ever written.

This new installment takes a step forward in gameplay, making it feel both familiar and fresh. Moreover, the game has been provided with enough depth, giving enthusiasts plenty to explore again without losing sight of newcomers thanks to accessibility. Audiovisually, it's also excellent, though the base game still feels a bit light in content, but that will be supplemented in time. In short, an excellent strategic game.

Civilization 7 has completely surprised me. I was ready to hate the new civilization and age system, I was ready to grumble at the sneaking live-service features. Instead, I’ve fallen into a deep obsession with Civilization again. The game fills with me a warm fuzzy feeling that makes me feel like a child rushing home to play Civ 4 on a dusty old beat-up CRT with a packet of biscuits and no responsibilities.

The changes in Civilization VII aim to create a more versatile and customizable experiencie without sacrificing the core values of the franchise. It may seem less profound at first sight, but the experience is a deep and satisfying one.

Civilization VII brings some massive changes to the formula that may alienate some players, but the core Civilization experience is as good as its ever been.

Civilization VII represents the most ambitious leap forward in the series' history. Firaxis has managed to modernize the formula while maintaining the essence that has made the series great. The introduction of the Dynamic Eras system, the revamping of combat and diplomacy, along with improvements to urban development, create an experience that feels fresh and familiar at the same time.

Even for an experienced Civ player, Civilization VII brings a range of new mechanics that are fun to experience. The introduction of Ages results in Civilization VII basically being three separate games, with the first two causing a hive of activity as the Ages come to a close. The Army Commanders bring troop stacks back into the series, reducing the dreaded micromanagement through the latter stages of each Age. If you're contemplating world domination for the first time, then Civilization VII does have a learning curve, but has enough helpful hints along the way to guide newbies through the game. It won’t be too long they too will be playing just ‘one more turn’ well into the night.

As a whole, this is an excellent and worthy continuation of one of the most important series in gaming. The care and attention paid by the good people of Firaxis have produced a game with a rock solid foundation. The new era transitions are transformative, and change the game as much as moving from a grid to a hex board. The most important takeaway is that the rules of this Civilization are strong, and probably the best starting point for any installment. But the real thing to track will be the additions. As the game gets better, will the balance be maintained? Will the style? Will this new Civilization game be able to stand apart from the series? That remains to be seen, but if you’ve always wanted a meticulously constructed entry in the Civilization franchise, your day has dawned.

Civilization 7 marks a true revolution for the saga, a profound change that challenges tradition and, at the same time, manages to preserve its essence. Firaxis has had the courage to rewrite the rules, pushing beyond the boundaries of the formula consolidated for over 30 years to the edge of stagnation. The innovations are not without imperfections: some systems, such as trade and resource management, may be difficult at first, and the fracture between the eras can leave a feeling of confusion for those looking for a more fluid and coherent progress. However, the seventh chapter of the legendary strategic series has still had the power to capture us with original challenges, sometimes complex, but equally stimulating. The game is able to give satisfaction in abundance and the hours already spent in this chapter testify to the talent of Firaxis, capable of holding firm to the throne of video game strategy. Recent attempts to undermine the reign of Civilization have been unsuccessful, and this new chapter proves that, despite the evolutions, the essence of the series is more alive than ever: Civilization has changed, Civilization is back.

I enjoyed playing Civilization VII. It hits the right notes for me and it’s a good opening salvo for a game I expect will continue to grow with its player base through time. Yes, the age change can be a bit jarring and yes, the crisis mechanic didn’t always hit right for me in my first couple of games…The core elements of the game are there, they work and it’s fun to play. The incentives and dynamism that the new approach to Civilization switching with the legacy paths will keep the game fresh both across games and within them. Abandoning games after about 80 turns was a big issue for me in the last few titles. I’ve not had the notion to do that yet.

Civilization VII is well worth jumping into for newcomers, and with a bit of assistance you'll be taking over the world like a pro.

This game introduces innovative mechanics that make matches more dynamic and deepen strategic gameplay. Changes like Legacies, the new diplomacy system, and global crises bring fresh elements, though switching civilizations between Eras can be confusing. Many of these modifications are drastic, but the game is set to evolve through expansions and updates, solidifying itself as another great game of the franchise.

Civilization VII is a great game, it looks phenomenal and is packed with content like only this game series can deliver. If you've always wanted to learn this game series but found it too intimidating, this is the game you've been waiting for. The seventh game in the series simplifies and makes things much more accessible and is relatively easy to learn. On the other hand, it also adds new things like the crisis system and small improvements all across the board. But not everything is perfect with serious bug issues, the controversial era system and the noticeable absence of many leaders and personalities.

Civilization VII is a real success. When you are the old behemoth of a genre that has welcomed new faces in recent years, it is often difficult to adapt, but the developers at Firaxis have perfectly fulfilled their mission by drawing inspiration from the best elements of the competition while keeping what makes the series strong. The separation into distinct ages with different directions and the many ways to adapt our strategy allow for engaging games right to the end, where weariness often took over at the end of the game in previous games. With a top-notch soundtrack and more refined and detailed visuals, Civ 7 will attract all audiences even if the user interface probably deserves some fixes. Although we would have liked a less invasive DLC policy from the start, there is no doubt that you will spend long nights playing “just one last round” and that you will not regret it. Excellent opus!

Civilization 7 strikes the right balance between retaining everything that has made recent titles so successful and innovating. It's not just another game in the license, the age system revolutionizes the way the game is played, encouraging new ways of thinking and playing. Each age is unique, with its own challenges. Add to this the efforts made to reduce micromanagement and make progression simpler and more intuitive without detracting from its depth, and it could well appeal to new players. However, not everything is perfect: even on PC, there are technical problems to be noted, and the usual AI and interface issues to complain about. Some popular features and options are also missing. As always, Civilization 7 will probably need a few years to reach its full potential, but that won't stop us spending hundreds of hours on it right now.

Civilization VII is a great 4X-Game and a fresh start for the series. It however is far from perfect, which harms the overall experience at first. Civilization VII needs time, but gets better with every hour and eventually turns out to be a motivating, complex and enjoyable part of the series.

Despite the fact that the Civilization series has been around for a while, it still manages to bring something new that at least slightly enriches and changes the gameplay. Here we have another quality piece of work that is worth playing.

Civilization 7 has great new ideas, but still needs some fine-tuning in terms of balancing and AI.

Fresh yet familiar, deep yet welcoming, Civilization VII offers turn-based strategy that is hard to resist. A good game already, expect it to only get better with time as Firaxis adjusts to community discoveries.

The division of the game into three major eras keeps matches engaging and allows for comebacks, but the new civilization evolution system feels less satisfying. While combat sees positive changes and fewer empty turns, some mechanics—like diplomacy and trade—have been oversimplified. The game is visually appealing but suffers from long loading times, and although it remains addictive, it may not fully satisfy longtime fans due to its streamlined approach.

Civilisation 7 convinces with fresh ideas, but lacks the necessary finishing touch.

Civ VII features a welcome gameplay shakeup that makes the gameplay punchier and less predictable. Its exploration of history - and how different cultures and advances have shaped today’s world - is utterly engrossing.

I’m hooked once again on the market’s premier strategy franchise. I’m not sure if I like it more than the previous entry, but Civ VII reminds me why I love the genre, and that there’s more wiggle room in my expectations than I knew. I can see myself digging into these layers for the next several years.

Sid Meier's Civilization VII offers a fresh take on the franchise, introducing innovations that make the game more accessible while keeping gameplay dynamic for extended periods of time. While some elements, such as diplomatic relations, lack variation, the strategic depth that characterizes the series and the genre remains largely intact.

With massive changes and a wealth of new ideas, Civilization VII appears to be steering the series in a bold new direction. While some hardcore fans may not embrace all the changes, the core gameplay remains intact. However, the overall package could have benefited from a few final refinements.

Civilization 7 is a focused and compelling refresh of the decades-old formula that will keep most players coming back for more, yet parts of its condensation don’t work as well as the whole.

There's a fantastic game somewhere in Civ 7 that I'll easily spend 1,000+ hours with. Even in its current state, I can see myself playing this for years to come, though nowhere near as much as I did with Civ 6. There are too many frustrating issues that need addressing. At least that's what I keep telling myself, only to come back to boot up another game. Firaxis made a gigantic gamble with the changes to Leaders and Ages, and somehow, it paid off. If they can improve the game's flaws with future updates, we'll have another iconic entry in the legendary 4X strategy series.

Civilization 7 brings strategic changes, a focus on multiplayer, and fewer eras. Progression is more rigid, and the interface can be confusing. Still, it remains strong in the 4X genre, despite its limitations. Although many of the new features may arrive via DLC.

Civilization VII is an excellent turn-based strategy game. As a Civ game, it looks and feels the same as its predecessors but with enough changes to leave long-time fans with something new to learn and hopefully cherish. At times I felt at odds with the decisions, but I always come back to the fact that I still enjoyed my time and will absolutely keep playing this game long into the future.

Civilization VII is a more than worthy inclusion in this historic franchise. As with any Civilization game, not all of the changes are going to be welcomed by every fan, but largely, this is a streamlined 4X strategy that is just as endlessly playable as its forebearers, and a title I have enjoyed, warts and all.

There is so much more I could say about Civilization 7, but this review would run 7,000 words, and I think you already get the idea. Civ 7 isn’t just good, it’s the real deal. It’s a sequel that thinks like one of the matches it contains – a lot of small but significant strategic decisions that, when added up, create a winner. It feels different enough from previous iterations to justify the 7 in the title, and it thoughtfully builds on what came before. Civilization 7 is one of 2025’s first must-play titles.

Civilization VII is a newcomers ideal Civ game. Packed full of streamlined systems and approachable design choices, VII gives players access to a fun, gorgeously realised sandbox in which history is (mostly) theirs to decide. While some of its smoothed edges hinder player-driven storytelling, the effort to onboard new players and refresh the game for veterans is ambitious and stacked with potential.

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applies quite well to Civilization VII. In some areas, developer Firaxis crafted the most stunning and welcoming entry in the franchise by a long shot.

The bold new direction has paid off and Civ 7 brings a lot of dynamic and flexibility to the tried and tested game concept. However, traditionalists may be put off. Civ 7 also lacks the final touches for release.

Civ 7 follows the franchise's routine of being avant-garde and will lead a new era in turn-based strategy games.

Civ 7 has elements that fans of previous titles will know and love, but its core gameplay loop is unique. While it may be a sticking point for players who’ve been with the series from the start, it’s exactly what the Civ world needed to keep things exciting.

Sid Meier's Civilization VII succeeds at making one of the most storied strategy game franchises still feel fresh.

For now though, Civilization VII is a compellingly bold step in a new direction that’s brimming with fantastic ideas and brilliant design, but feels unfortunately narrow on subsequent runs. It’s a fertile land awaiting its empire.

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII had a truly difficult task. The previous installment is still one of the best—if not the best—4X games available and often ranks among the most-played titles on Steam. At the same time, even though no competitor has quite reached its standards, rival games have attempted to innovate the genre by introducing new gameplay mechanics and adopting interesting variations on design principles established decades ago. Additionally, the success of the console versions forced the development team to adapt their new work for a broader, more diverse, and heterogeneous audience. These were three significant challenges, and we can confidently say that Civilization VII has overcome them. This seventh iteration does not rest on its laurels and is unafraid to propel the series into the future, even at the risk of betraying its roots. The game is noticeably sleeker, faster, and more intuitive to play, diplomacy finally has the importance it deserves, and longevity has significantly improved thanks to the separation between leaders and civilizations, which rotate throughout the matches. Civilization VII is an excellent strategy game, but that does not mean everything is perfect. After several hours of gameplay, we still struggle to get used to the new UI, the removal of certain units makes some actions feel overly abstract, and only future expansions will make the game truly complete. There’s no way around it: the biggest point of contention is the inclusion of only three historical eras—a radical design choice implemented by Firaxis to eliminate the chronic late-game fatigue. Despite the good intentions, this decision risks disappointing traditionalists, creates gaps that feel too pronounced within a match, and even within these eras, some phases feel lacking, with crises and objectives that don’t always hit the mark.

Thanks to its (not so) few changes from previous instalments, Civilization VII provides more freedom to think and strategize so that we can build a different way of playing each time. With a wide range of options and more profound decision-making, Fireaxis offers one of the best games in the franchise.

Civilization 7 is a revolutionary strategy game for newcomers and long-time fans alike. Though some tweaks around diplomacy and Ages fall short, a host of small reinventions – along with Firaxis' biggest gamble in tackling the tedium of long-running campaigns – pays off superbly.

Sid Meier's Civilization VII's "one more turn" aspect is still as engaging as ever, and I enjoyed huge portions of my playthroughs. Several facets, such as those related to diplomacy, espionage, crises, and combat address long-standing concerns. Legacy Paths and narrative events, meanwhile, offer rich and rewarding avenues for advancement through the ages. Unfortunately, as someone who's seen the heights that previous series entries have reached, the vanilla Civilization VII experience still needs a few tweaks, as it's held back by the aforementioned issues that occur during brief but crucial era transitions. Granted, the changes this series has undergone over the years--whether it's the square tiles or hexes debate, the "one unit per tile" drama, or city-planning with districts--have been for the better, eventually. The issues deemed controversial or cumbersome at the start paved the way for a better overall experience. As such, even if Civilization VII has a strong foundation, we might not see the game's full potential until much later in its lifespan. But, hey: At least the franchise has been consistent in that regard.

Civilization 7 gets a lot right. Deep systems like diplomacy, trade and dealing with resources certainly make this a 'greatest hits' compilation of earlier Civ-games. The new structure with playing in three Ages lifts the game above that though, and really gives it a unique identity. The only major gripe is that the designs and interface tend to get into each other's space. Despite this, the game will soon hold you in an iron grip. At this point it is a cliché, but even in Civilization 7 "one more turn" means that two hours later you're still playing. In that, this is certainly a successful new instalment.

In the end, it all works - it’s just very different. The subtle whiff of compromise in order to launch the game far and wide is there - but compromise is just fine if the end result works. It does. I’m happy. As someone who has somewhere in the region of a thousand hours logged across Civ 4, 5, and 6, I’m ready to add hundreds more to that tally in the seventh entry. Some of that will come in years as the game grows and expands, as is Civilization tradition. But the point is, the foundations here are firm. The legend of one desperate extra turn, over and over again, forever, is secure.

Civilization VII refines its strategic depth through era transitions and civilization changes, though the most thrilling moments feel more spaced out. Despite these shifts, the game retains its signature "just one more turn" appeal—undeniably Civilization.

Civilization 7 is a true innovation for the 4X genre. And while many of the improvements and additions aren’t new—such as changing cultures per Age—Firaxis has perfected them. Thanks to the shorter gameplay loop and quest-based progression, the notorious late-game slog is a thing of the past. Military units have been streamlined, and city-building offers more freedom, with complex systems from previous entries wisely simplified. The biggest drawback, however, lies in the presentation: in many aspects, it falls short—so much so that it detracts from the overall experience, which is a real shame.

Sid Meier's Civilization 7 successfully evolves the long-running strategy series with a wealth of engaging new systems. Swapping Civs is smartly implemented and the focus on distinct ages prevents matches from dragging on, though the samey Legacy Path system and basic diplomacy mean that it’s not quite the best entry yet.

Civilization VII is a great game, that's the simple answer. With an improved city-building system, terrain features, and diplomacy, there is much to like in the new release of the three-and-a-half decade old franchise. However, long-time fans of the series will find some of the omissions, such as the ability to turn off victory conditions other than domination, limiting. This, and the rapid nature of the ages, will also leave some feeling that the epic nature of some longer games is altogether missing. Still, even with the games feeling a little rushed, the one-more-turn that makes Civilization one of the best series ever remains there.

Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 struggles with poorly explained features and a clunky interface, making for a rough start. However, the classic "just one more turn" appeal remains intact, with innovations like the era transitions standing out as a highlight.

Civilization 7 is an excellent 4X game that will have you saying “ah, just one more turn” until the wee hours of the night. There are plenty of possibilities now that we can mix leaders and civilizations, and the way your empire grows automatically makes for a wonderfully smooth experience. However, the game becomes more confusing with every turn, and there is little quality of life. It will be a few years before Civilization truly deserves to wear the 4X crown again.

Still a compelling sprint through human history, Civilization 7 sheds a little too much weight to match its excellent predecessors.

Civilization VII is a great strategy proposal with new ideas, breaking with the tradition of the saga. It is a game that looks spectacular, although it is not free from technical problems. It aims to be a new kind of challenge but at the cost of betraying a traditional concept that many users expected. And if we take its previous installment as a reference, it can even be seen as a very limited product in terms of options and content.

Civilization VII brings a fresh twist to the series. With its revamped era structure and new civilization-leader combinations, you'll need to come up with different strategies in every game. It's an enjoyable journey for newcomers to Civilization, but veterans might need some time to get used to the changes. While the game feels a bit unfinished, it's still a lot of fun.

Although it has become superficial in terms of strategy, Civilization has turned into a brand-new game waiting to be discovered. You'll spend hours on it and won't regret it.

Civilization 7 is trying to reinvent the wheel, and it's not quite succeeding in doing so. The gameplay has been greatly simplified, and while some of these changes add momentum to the game, others strip it of the depth to which fans of the series - or strategy genre in general - have become accustomed. I had plenty of fun, but I expected something more from the new Civilization. Something that would draw me in not for a few dozen, but a few hundred hours. And that something was missing.

Civilization 7 manages to surprise as well as challenge me and my expectations at a classic Civ-game. The developers dare to do one of the most drastic gameplay changes in the series and break with old patterns. It is a fine line between revolution and alienation.

Civilization 7 falls short in maintaining the series' legacy in certain aspects. The new mechanics didn't seamlessly integrate with the expectations of veteran players, and it often felt more akin to a character-driven RPG than a simulation game. Consequently, the game left a lasting impression of hollowness.

Civilization VII brings a lot of changes to the formula, but they don't feel entirely innovative or fully realized. The core of the experience retains its addictive qualities, and yet lacks refinement at launch.

I think the group at Firaxis Games had their hearts in the right places when they tried to overhaul this series, but so much of this lands with a thud, I cannot tell people to buy this game. There's plenty of things I like, but the bad outweighs the good. The condensed age system coupled with a modern era that seems to be condensed for the sake of simplicity is a huge disappointment. There are some good ideas, but this game needed another six months to a year of cooking. I hope patches and DLC can help this game out, or else I worry about what Civilization VIII is going to look like.

Civilization 7 has made a lot of changes, and while some were positive, the shortcomings made me wish I was playing Civ 6. That said, for anyone getting into the series for the first time, this is probably a great place to start.

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII improves on areas of the franchise that would make any Civ fan excited. However, a feeling of incompleteness makes the game feel rushed and hard to engage with, leading to what may be an example of a game that was launched too soon but may become better with time.

With Civilization 7, the desire to streamline and simplify this legendary 4X series feels like it has gone a bit too far, particularly when it comes to the interface. It’s frustratingly inadequate at providing me with the information I need to play well, or even understand what's going on sometimes. Even so, it does have improved warfare and diplomacy, a bit of added narrative flair, as well as mostly gorgeous graphics and sound, so it can still give me reasons to keep clicking one more turn late into the night. There’s good reason to believe that with Firaxis’s usual pace of patches and expansions it can refine its new ideas and become everything it ought to be, and while what’s here right now is at least still a fun time, it’s also a bigger step backward for the series than we’re accustomed to when a new age dawns.

Firaxis combats the inherent bloat of the 4X genre with partial success. All of the big new ideas in Civilization 7 work well and it's tighter and more engaging than any of its predecessors. Nevertheless, your sense of connection still begins to wane by the midgame.

Firaxis delivers a solid performance, with an interesting gameplay loop that stays fresh and successfully makes micromanagement feel less cumbersome, encouraging even the most reluctant players to expand their empire by founding more cities. A real change of pace for the franchise, which ultimately wins us over. While the diplomatic system overhaul and the AI's more coherent playstyle stand out the most, we hope Firaxis will find a way through patches to make the structure of a match a bit more unpredictable, as a clear pattern emerges after around thirty hours of play regarding the overall flow of a game. This is the downside of the new model that divides a match into three ages: it works well with its soft reset but comes with its own set of issues. Still, it's a game we can easily see ourselves sinking over a hundred hours into by the end of 2025, whether in solo or multiplayer.

Civilization VII commits the greatest sin of all strategy games - it's boring. A few tweaks to the formula have worked out well for the series, but this is the moment for either a major revolution or the development of well thought-out mechanics that worked in Civilization VI. No more half-measures.

Civilization VII is great. Exciting. Frustrating. It's like a Rorschach test: how you look at it depends from person to person and moment to moment. Besides the obvious improvements, many of the game's flaws were perfectly avoidable, which leads us to conclude that this game is not finished. And we take issue with being asked full price for a game that is not yet finished. Our advice: if you're not a huge fan of the series, wait another year. If you are, prepare for a rough ride.

For now, though, I think it’s pretty telling that while Civilization VII certainly costs a pretty penny, I’ve already found myself going back to play VI when I want to play something that I enjoy. It’s simply not inspiring me, and given that this series above all others has, in a very real sense, shaped my lifelong interest in history, being uninspiring is perhaps the worst mistake Firaxis could have made.

A very disappointing sequel that features a few interesting new ideas but either streamlines the rest or leaves it out on purpose, for you to buy later as DLC.

In the end, Civilization 7 remains a Civilization game at its core. BUT: The new gameplay mechanic with changing ages is a double-edged sword. I'm honestly still not sure what to make of it after all this time with the review version. I see Civilization 7 as a solid foundation for what's to come in the future. In a year's time, this game could look completely different, let alone in three or four. But whether you're ready to embark on this adventure right now is up to you. You might love it. You could hate it. Or, like me, you could be caught between the two.

Civilization 7 is a very pretty and very chaoitc game. Brave but not thought out. It introduces changes that aren’t inherently bad, and they build an interesting foundation for a probably great game in the future. Unfortunately now we got an early access production for a premium access price.

Even if it has great looks: the interior of the latest instalment of the Civilization series is not very inspiring. Some good ideas are counterbalanced by a lot of bad ones. The biggest problem: it no longer feels like a Civilization-Game! Here, the developers have definitely made too many radical changes.

Right now, Civilization 7 is an incomplete and reduced version of the game, which is plagued by many issues. However, you can feel that under all this mess, a good game might be hiding.

You can't look at Sid Meier's Civilization VII without tears. I doubt that large-scale DLCs will fix the situation - this building needs to be demolished together with the foundation.

If it’s still capable of sucking you in for hours on end, this latest entry in the storied franchise too often feels like a game that’s engaging in spite of itself.

Besides the abysmal UI, Civilization 7‘s simplifying changes come down to personal taste. For newcomers or fans hungry for a more pared-back or guided experience, there is a lot to love in them. More experienced players or those who value self-driven strategy will find more friction despite some changes being more universally beneficial.

Once the one that would show the industry how things should be done, Civilization VII is an unpolished, pale imitation of what a Civilization instalment should be. There are a myriad of problems with this, but the biggest one is that the wonderful feeling of freedom for which the series was always known for is now completely gone, as players are forced to go down very specific paths in every single match. Unless there’s a very, very big sale, it would be best to stay away from this bundle of disappointment.

One of the most beloved aspects of the Civilization series is how it makes 4X strategy accessible and unusually nice to look at, at least compared to its many bureaucratic peers in the genre. This port sacrifices both of those defining facets without any meaningful consolation. Civilization VII VR is a good enough proof of concept that is desperately in need of its own flavour. Sure, it works, but at what cost?