Civilization 7, the latest installment in the iconic strategy series, was the focus of our latest Critical Moves Podcast episode. In this episode, Al and Joe dissect what works, what doesn’t, and whether this game lives up to its legendary predecessors.
First Impressions: Where’s the Excitement?
Joe dived into Civilization 7 with the hopes of finding a worthy successor to the beloved series. However, his initial impressions were mixed at best. Unlike past games, where choosing a leader felt like a strategic choice that defined your playstyle, Civilization 7’s leaders felt generic. While every leader and nation combination offers unique traits, the fact that everyone has them dilutes the impact. Joe even found himself hitting the randomize button because none of the leaders stood out.
The switch to a system where leaders can be paired with any nation seemed to rob the game of its historical flavor. Civilization 7 introduces an ‘ages’ system where your civilization evolves over time, changing not just units but also potentially your entire nation. This is a clear lift from Humankind’s mechanic but without the polish or sense of progression.
The AI: Smart or Just Aggressive?
One critical aspect of strategy games is the quality of the AI. According to Joe, the AI in Civilization 7 feels like a step backward. Instead of making smarter decisions, the AI seems programmed to follow specific scripts. This creates situations where diplomacy feels pre-determined and where the early game is a chaotic land grab with settlers spreading like wildfire. There’s no nuance, just aggression.
Joe shared an example of a ‘friend’ civilization amassing troops on his border only to launch an unprovoked attack. The issue wasn’t just the betrayal but the complete lack of logic behind it. He was left wondering whether he was supposed to have wiped out his neighbors from the start, a strategy that seems counter to the series’ more thoughtful pacing.
New Mechanics: The Age System
The age progression mechanic aims to add depth but often feels more like a gimmick. When the game transitions into a new age, your units either turn into generic versions or are sent back to your cities. This can be game-breaking, especially if you’re in the middle of a crucial battle. Joe described a scenario where he was about to finish off a city when the age changed, and his entire army essentially vanished. It felt less like a strategic evolution and more like an arbitrary reset.
While the age system offers potential, the implementation is clunky. There’s a sense that Firaxis wanted to introduce something fresh but didn’t fully think through how it would affect the gameplay experience. The result is a jarring shift that breaks immersion and strategy.
User Interface: Cluttered and Confusing
One of the biggest issues Joe highlighted was the poor UI design. Information is either missing or not presented clearly. Tooltips, which are essential for understanding the impact of your choices, often lacked detail. When building a city or choosing where to expand, the game didn’t provide the critical data needed to make informed decisions. This left even seasoned players like Joe unsure of the optimal strategies, which is a significant misstep for a strategy game.
What’s Missing: Key Civilizations and Features
A big red flag for Joe was the noticeable absence of several major civilizations. It seems likely that these have been held back for DLC, a practice that often frustrates fans. Considering Civilization 7’s full-price tag, the idea of paying more for core content that feels like it should have been included from the start is disappointing.
The Verdict: Is Civilization 7 Worth Your Time?
Joe was clear in his assessment: Civilization 7 is not worth the current asking price. His advice for fans of the series is to hold off for a few months, at least until patches and potential DLCs address the current issues. He rated the game a dismal three and a half Big Macs out of ten, highlighting its lack of polish, uninspired mechanics, and questionable design choices.
Share Your Thoughts
Have you played Civilization 7? Do you agree with Joe’s take, or do you think the game deserves more credit? Join the conversation over at Critical Moves Podcast.com, where you can connect with us, share your thoughts, and possibly convince Joe to give the game another shot.
Listeners can find this episode on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. For ways to get involved visit the Critical Moves Podcast website.
