Civilization 7 is currently facing a storm of criticism on Steam, with players who participated in the game's Advanced Access version sharing their less-than-stellar experiences. Dive in to understand the core issues behind the game's "mostly negative" rating.
Civ 7 Received “Mostly Negative” Rating on Steam Upon Early Launch
Steam Players Complained About User Interface, Maps, and Resource Mechanics
The highly anticipated Civilization 7, lovingly known as Civ 7, launched its Advanced Access phase 5 days before its official release date of February 11. However, the excitement has been overshadowed by a wave of disappointment from Steam users who paid for early access, leading to the game receiving "mostly negative" reviews on the platform.
The buzz surrounding Civ 7 was immense, marking the first new entry in the series since Civilization 6 in 2016. Yet, the current "Mostly Negative" rating on Steam has cast a shadow over this anticipation, with players highlighting several recurring issues.
A significant point of contention revolves around the game's User Interface (UI). Many players have criticized the UI for appearing "janky" and "ugly" in comparison to its predecessor, Civilization 6. Some have even gone as far as likening the current UI to that of a "free mobile knockoff of Civ." There's a sentiment among players that Firaxis Games might have prioritized console development, resulting in a "barren" UI with limited customization options.
The map system has also come under fire, with players expressing frustration over the selection process, limited map type options, and the lack of customization. According to feedback, scrolling through different map types yields no additional information, leaving players in the dark. Civilization 7 offers only three map sizes—Small, Medium, and Large—paling in comparison to the five sizes available in Civilization 6, which catered to a variety of gameplay preferences.
Another major issue highlighted by the community is the new resource mechanics in Civ 7. Unlike Civilization 6, where resources were randomly placed on the map for players to control, Civ 7 assigns resources to cities or the empire through strategic management. Players argue that this change diminishes the replay value that was a hallmark of the previous game's mechanics.
In response to the feedback, Firaxis Games stated, "We are aware of and looking into feedback on the game's UI. We're continuing to make improvements to Civilization VII, and appreciate you taking the time to drop your feedback. For the maps, Civilization VII is going to keep growing and changing with future updates and expansions, so please let us know what you'd like to see!"
