Civilization 7 Stumbles on Steam: Fans Dismayed

Sid Meier's Civilization VII: A Disappointing Launch?

Many Firaxis fans eagerly awaited the next installment in the Civilization franchise. However, Civilization VII's Steam launch has been met with overwhelmingly negative feedback. Players are voicing significant concerns about the game's user interface, dated graphics, and overall feeling of incompletion.

At the time of writing, the game boasts over 1,000 reviews, resulting in a dismal 37% approval rating.

User reviews highlight a number of key issues. One player, Cool CGI Dog, after roughly 1.5 hours of gameplay, described the experience as "blatantly incomplete," citing outdated resource icons, a clunky interface, and a general lack of polish. The user expressed disappointment with Firaxis' apparent lack of attention to detail, contrasting the current state of Civ VII with the superior quality of Civ VI. The $70 price point was also heavily criticized as unjustified given the game's current state.

Another player, WillNever, echoed these sentiments after 2.5 hours of play, stating that the interface felt like an alpha build, lacking refinement and polish. While acknowledging the potential of the new mechanics, the user emphasized the significant usability issues that detract from the overall experience. Months of refinement were deemed necessary to make the game enjoyable.

The prevailing opinion among reviewers is that the game was released prematurely and requires substantial improvements. The $70 price tag is repeatedly cited as disproportionate to the product's current quality.

The Civilization series is renowned for its high production values and meticulous attention to detail. Fans remain hopeful that Firaxis will address the considerable criticism through future updates, restoring the game to the standards expected of the franchise. However, in its current form, Civilization VII falls significantly short of expectations.