Civilization 7 has officially launched, and its initial release isn’t drawing the rave reviews that the developers were hoping for, currently holding a “mixed” rating on Steam. However, the CEO of Take-Two, the game’s publisher, remains optimistic. Strauss Zelnick believes that as players immerse themselves in the game, they’ll come to appreciate its complexities and innovations, despite the initial feedback being somewhat lukewarm.
Players who’ve had early access to Civilization 7 have noted the numerous changes—some of which have caught both seasoned fans and newcomers off guard. Although it retains the series’ hallmark strategic gameplay, Civilization 7 introduces several new concepts that have sparked some debate. It marks the seventh major entry in the long-running and beloved Civilization series, following the much-admired Civilization 6. Since its announcement, anticipation for Civilization 7 has been high, but the game’s early mixed reviews suggest that it might take some time for everyone to warm up to the updates and features introduced.
In a chat with IGN, Zelnick addressed some of the criticisms, noting feedback from Eurogamer, which gave Civilization 7 a modest score of 2 out of 5. He countered this by highlighting that over 20 reviews scored the game above 90, and while acknowledging some negative opinions, he emphasized that the long-time Civilization fans would likely come to see the value in the new installment. With an average Metacritic score of 81 and an OpenCritic score of 82, Zelnick called the overall launch “very encouraging.”
Zelnick remains confident that player sentiments will shift positively as more time is spent in the game. Each new Civilization game brings its set of innovations, often surprising the series’ dedicated fanbase. Over time, players usually recognize the depth and grandeur these changes bring. Current user feedback on Steam includes concerns regarding the user interface and the variety of maps, along with notions that the game launched without some features that fans typically expect. Additionally, while the game seeks to address the visual style issues that some players of Civilization 6 didn’t enjoy, a few have expressed that Civilization 7 lacks a distinct personality.
One of the standout new features in Civilization 7 is the Ages system, which divides a campaign into three eras: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. Success in each Age requires adapting strategies and picking the right civilization to lead. Although this adds an exciting layer of complexity, it may prove challenging for some to grasp immediately. Creative Director Ed Beach suggests players make use of the game’s tutorial to ease into these new dynamics smoothly. Currently, only those who bought the Deluxe or Founder’s editions have early access, with the full release slated for February 11th.
As players navigate the early stages of Civilization 7, the gaming world watches closely to see how impressions evolve. With patience and persistence, both Take-Two and players alike may find themselves satisfied with this newest chapter in the iconic series.
