Civilization VII's launch has sparked mixed reactions, with Steam user reviews revealing concerns about the user interface, limited map variety, and missing features. Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, however, remains optimistic, believing the game's core fanbase will ultimately embrace it.
The game's early access release, primarily targeting dedicated Civilization players, has seen these fans vocalize their initial criticisms. Firaxis has acknowledged this feedback and committed to addressing key issues, including UI improvements, the addition of team-based multiplayer, and enhanced map diversity.
Zelnick highlighted the game's positive Metacritic score of 81 and numerous reviews exceeding 90, while acknowledging negative outliers like Eurogamer's 2/5 rating. He expressed confidence that prolonged gameplay will shift player sentiment, stating that the "legacy Civ audience" often requires time to fully appreciate significant changes implemented in new iterations. He specifically cited the novel Age Transition system, where players choose new civilizations and legacies across Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern eras, as a key innovation that may initially seem jarring but will eventually be appreciated.
Zelnick's comments directly address the significant gameplay alterations introduced in Civ VII. The simultaneous Age Transitions, requiring players to select new civilizations and retain chosen legacies, represent a departure from previous Civilization titles.
Despite the positive outlook, Firaxis faces the challenge of improving player perception, particularly on Steam. The platform's user review system significantly impacts a game's visibility and overall success, making positive user feedback crucial for Civ VII's long-term performance.
