Review of Sid Meier’s Civilization 7

Since its debut in 1991, the Sid Meier’s Civilization series has firmly established itself as a pillar in the world of strategy games, particularly within the 4X genre. Many have tried to emulate its success or take it head-on, yet few have matched its brilliance. After nearly ten years of adding content to Civilization 6, Firaxis is finally preparing to unleash the eagerly awaited Civilization 7.

Like its predecessors, Civilization 7 invites players to guide a civilization through the vast timeline of human history, aiming to emerge victorious. This familiar turn-based strategy setup will resonate with seasoned fans, but there’s still a fresh twist to this version. With elements like diverse civilizations and leaders, and the evolution of gameplay through just three pivotal ages, Civilization 7 introduces some of the series’ most significant changes. While these innovations might take some getting used to, Firaxis seems to have crafted an engaging strategy experience that promises to evolve over time.

The moment players embark on their Civilization 7 journey, they’ll notice a significantly altered gameplay structure. Historically, players would select a civilization led by a famous historical figure and guide them through ages. Each civilization had inherent strengths and weaknesses, demanding various strategies. While Civilization 7 retains these aspects, it changes the game by separating leaders from their civilizations. Moreover, players navigate through three distinct civilizations within a single game, a compelling twist on traditional mechanics.

As the game begins, players must choose their leader, each possessing unique abilities that aren’t strictly tied to nation leaders. Alongside historical stalwarts like Catherine the Great and Napoleon, players can embody figures such as Harriet Tubman and Machiavelli. As always, there’s potential for more leaders to join through downloadable content.

Once a leader is chosen, players pick a civilization to start with. Each civilization boasts its perks and challenges, and with leaders having their unique capabilities, players can mix and match to discover optimal synergies. While the game suggests effective combinations, the choice is ultimately theirs. Across the three ages of Civilization 7, players will explore new civilizations with distinct abilities, units, and wonders, ensuring a dynamic gaming adventure.

This fresh direction may contrast with past games, yet it makes for an exciting experience by encouraging new strategies, discoveries, and innovations. Some civilizations require players to complete specific objectives in prior ages, like achieving city milestones, to unlock them. How these tasks align historically adds an educational layer, but players still have robust default options even if tasks aren’t completed.

Firaxis has also reimagined how the ages unfold in Civilization 7. The game is now condensed into three distinct eras with unique mechanics. Players begin in the Antiquity Age, laying the foundation of their societies and meeting their neighbors. After 150–200 turns, the game transitions to the Exploration Age.

During the Exploration Age, players are urged to explore new territories, akin to real-world historical expansions. A larger portion of the map is revealed, encouraging new conquests and interactions with other civilizations. Players are given the freedom to settle as they wish without the constraints of the loyalty system from previous versions.

The Modern Age is the final phase, where the focus shifts to consolidating power and securing victory. Expansion gives way to strengthening armies, fortifications, and resources to withstand the potential of World War—a key aspect for Military victory.

As the game progresses, each age resets certain aspects. While persistent elements such as cities and units remain, players choose a new civilization, reset tech and civic trees, and encounter new city-states. This keeps the game balanced and forces major powers to adapt to new circumstances.

Rewards for achievements in previous ages can offer advantageous abilities in these new epochs, providing strategic bonuses that could be crucial for victory.

While these age transitions offer a refreshing variance in gameplay, they aren’t without faults. For instance, the Exploration Age may unfairly benefit only those who share the same continent due to how distant lands are calculated. Firaxis aims to tweak this, but gamers might find it breaks the immersion. Additionally, the rapid pace of ages may lead players to prefer elongated game durations for a more leisurely experience.

Civilization 7 introduces a suite of further enhancements that might evade the casual eye. The leader upgrade system, via six talent trees, allows for nuanced specialization and development.

Warfare, too, has been overhauled. Instead of manually positioning individual units, players now deploy commanders managing groups, streamlining combat and strategy. As units within a commander’s influence engage in battle, the commander gains experience, further enriching this strategic layer.

Moreover, Civilization 7 makes notable adjustments across city-state interactions, settlement management, diplomatic systems, and much more. These evolutions will challenge even the most seasoned of players and shake up the well-loved formula in delightful ways.

Of course, no Civilization game would be complete without the pursuit of victory. Civilization 7 offers four primary victory conditions—Culture, Military, Science, and Economic—alongside a Legacy victory if others aren’t achieved. Legacy Paths introduce a fresh pathway-based approach to victory, providing incremental goals and rewards.

However, the paths to these victories can feel a tad mundane. For instance, obtaining a Culture victory may involve straightforward tasks that don’t always capture the spirit of triumph, though Firaxis has indicated that victory conditions will be refined over time.

In essence, Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 stands as a captivating addition to the series, offering robust strategy and historical exploration. While some features need finetuning, updates and expansions will likely address these concerns. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, this installment is sure to capture your strategic heart.