With Sid Meier's Civilization VII launching next week, the review embargo has lifted, revealing a wave of early impressions. Several key takeaways emerge from the initial reviews.
A standout feature praised by many is the new Era System, a significant departure from previous installments. This system introduces dynamic evolution for civilizations, moving beyond the static progression of earlier games.
This clear division into distinct eras directly addresses past gameplay issues, such as excessively long matches and the dominance of a single civilization. Each of the three eras offers a unique gameplay experience with its own technologies and victory conditions.
The ability to combine leaders and civilizations is another highly-regarded feature. This allows for strategic experimentation, blending the strengths of different leaders and civilizations—though historical accuracy sometimes takes a backseat.
Reviewers also noted improvements in city placement, resource management, district construction, and a more streamlined user interface. However, some critics found the UI overly simplified.
Conversely, criticism centered on smaller map sizes, diminishing the sense of scale present in previous Civilization titles. Technical issues, including bugs and frame rate drops when accessing menus, were also reported. Additionally, some reviewers noted instances of abruptly ending matches, leaving players uncertain about the final results.
Given the immense scope and replayability of a Civilization game, a definitive judgment will require extensive community exploration. However, these initial reviews offer a valuable first impression of Civilization VII.
