A fresh take on classic strategy
By Paul Hunter
Sid Meier's Civilization VII is here, and it’s shaking up the beloved strategy series in exciting new ways. Rather than simply refining the gameplay mechanics we’ve come to know and love, Firaxis has taken a bold leap forward with a leader-focused system, dynamic civilizations, and structured ages. These innovative changes propel the series into uncharted territory while maintaining its classic turn-based foundation.
As a long-time fan of the Civilization franchise, I was eager to see how these fresh updates would influence the gameplay I’ve grown accustomed over the past three decades. Initially, the transition from managing a single empire to navigating through various ages took some getting used to, however, it soon became apparent that Firaxis aimed to evolve the traditional strategies we’ve relied on for years. This isn’t just another sequel; it’s a complete reimagining of what a Civilization campaign can be.
With its revamped structure and significant gameplay shifts, Civilization VII promises a uniquely engaging experience. The question on everyone’s mind is: how effectively do these changes enhance the gameplay? Let’s embark on this exciting journey and see how these groundbreaking changes shape the future of one of gaming’s most iconic franchises.
Civilization VII revolutionizes the way we experience historical storytelling in the beloved strategy series. Rather than guiding a single civilization from its humble beginnings in the Ancient Era to its ultimate triumph in the Future Era, you now take control of a specific leader while civilizations evolve through three distinct structured ages. This innovative approach overhauls each campaign into a tapestry of pivotal moments, making the adventure feel less like a linear path and more like an exciting collection of historical highlights.
The three defined ages—Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern—each focus on specific milestones from our past. The Antiquity Age is when agricultural societies began to cluster, the Exploration Age is when empires began to expand across vast oceans, and the Modern Age is a time of great technological growth and global warfare. These ages serve as unique phases where significant events shape the world around you. For instance, a climactic war at the end of one age may be completely reset by the dawn of the next, wiping the slate clean of diplomatic ties, ongoing conflicts, and independent powers. While this shift may sacrifice some of the long-term continuity we’ve come to expect from previous titles, it opens the door to fresh storytelling opportunities, showcasing the rise, fall, and transformation of civilizations in thrilling new ways.
In one memorable campaign, I began my journey as Agustus in Rome, focusing on early expansion and trade. As the Exploration Age unfolded, I seamlessly transitioned into the Mongols, adapting my strategies to meet new military and economic challenges. By the time I reached the Modern Age, I was leading Imperial France, leveraging cutting-edge technology to maintain my influence. This evolution forced me to rethink the concept of historical progression; it wasn’t merely about the dominance of a single empire but rather how various civilizations could build upon the strengths of their predecessors.
Throughout this campaign, the leaders provide a sense of continuity, reacting to wars, trade agreements, and global events, which adds a dynamic layer to diplomacy. All considered, Civilization VII delivers a refreshing take on historical storytelling, challenging players to rethink their understanding of progress and strategy across different ages. In this game, the past is not just a backdrop but a vibrant, ever-evolving landscape.
Civilization VII evolves the gameplay of this storied franchise in many significant ways. City-building has undergone a significant overhaul, reducing the burden of micromanagement while still allowing for meaningful expansion. Rather than founding cities outright, you start by establishing towns, which can either remain specialized settlements or develop into bustling cities. This flexible approach to empire development keeps resource management at the forefront, while the changing value of resources as you progress through the ages adds new incentives for expansion and strategic planning.
Combat has become more tactical and engaging, with commanders now leading your armies and providing valuable bonuses. These leaders gain experience and can specialize in various areas, making unit placement and strategy more critical than ever. Managing a range of unit types requires a well-planned strategy, particularly during large-scale battles, adding an extra layer of complexity to your military campaigns.
Diplomacy and trade have been streamlined for a smoother experience. Instead of micromanaging individual deals, you can now engage in broader agreements that yield ongoing benefits or penalties. Furthermore, the Civilization-switching at the end of each Age encourages you to rethink your long-term strategies. Your nation evolves based on geographical factors and past diplomatic decisions, making adaptability essential for success.
Civilization VII retains its popular multiplayer that fans have come to expect, allowing friends and newcomers alike to engage in thrilling long-term campaigns. Both online and local options are back, featuring turn-based matches that support simultaneous moves to enhance the pace of gameplay.
The game modes echo those of earlier Civilization titles, offering standard matches, custom rule sets, and cooperative play options. A particularly exciting feature is the ability to start in different ages, allowing groups to dive into mid-game scenarios rather than always beginning in Antiquity. This flexibility adds a fresh twist to multiplayer sessions.
Firaxis has done an excellent job reimagining the Civilization experience while preserving the core strategic elements that fans adore. Although some changes may require a bit of adjustment, they breathe new life into the gameplay, ensuring that each campaign—whether solo or multiplayer—feels distinct and engaging.
Civilization VII takes a bold step away from the bright, stylized visuals of its predecessors, opting for a more grounded and realistic aesthetic that feels fresh. The cities are intricately detailed, the terrain types are distinctly defined, and the character models command attention during diplomatic interactions. This darker visual tone sets a different atmosphere compared to earlier entries in the series, plunging players in a more serious and thrilling world.
Diplomacy comes alive with dynamic leader animations, as characters respond vividly to war declarations, trade agreements, and shifting alliances. The combat animations are fluid and captivating, but keeping track of battles can become challenging when numerous troops overlap in urban areas as there's no clear unit markers to distinguish your armies at a glance.
While the game shines in many areas, the user interface does present some usability challenges. Key information, such as resource stockpiles and trade goods, is often buried within submenus, making it cumbersome to access vital details quickly. The resource management interface, in particular, feels a bit clunky, requiring extra steps to organize and view trade goods effectively. Although these issues don’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the game, they can make certain actions feel more tedious than they ought to be.
On the audio front, Civilization VII boasts a compelling soundtrack that evolves with each age, beautifully reflecting the culture and technology of the era. However, the leaders have fewer voiced lines and less expressive reactions compared to previous titles, which can make diplomatic exchanges feel less dynamic. The game’s narrator, voiced by the talented Gwendoline Christie, adds gravitas to historical moments, and is a nice step forward versus the more conversational style of earlier entries.
Despite a few lingering UI and visibility concerns, Civilization VII delivers a meticulously crafted presentation that reinforces its shift toward a more serious tone. With its rich visuals, engaging audio, and innovative gameplay mechanics, this latest installment has everything need to immerse players in a captivating historical journey.
Final Score: 9/10 - Amazing
Developer: Firaxis Games
Publisher: 2K
Genre: Turn-Based Strategy, 4X
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
Sid Meier's Civilization VII is here, and it’s shaking up the beloved strategy series in exciting new ways. Rather than simply refining the gameplay mechanics we’ve come to know and love, Firaxis has taken a bold leap forward with a leader-focused system, dynamic civilizations, and structured ages. These innovative changes propel the series into uncharted territory while maintaining its classic turn-based foundation.
As a long-time fan of the Civilization franchise, I was eager to see how these fresh updates would influence the gameplay I’ve grown accustomed over the past three decades. Initially, the transition from managing a single empire to navigating through various ages took some getting used to, however, it soon became apparent that Firaxis aimed to evolve the traditional strategies we’ve relied on for years. This isn’t just another sequel; it’s a complete reimagining of what a Civilization campaign can be.
With its revamped structure and significant gameplay shifts, Civilization VII promises a uniquely engaging experience. The question on everyone’s mind is: how effectively do these changes enhance the gameplay? Let’s embark on this exciting journey and see how these groundbreaking changes shape the future of one of gaming’s most iconic franchises.
Civilization VII revolutionizes the way we experience historical storytelling in the beloved strategy series. Rather than guiding a single civilization from its humble beginnings in the Ancient Era to its ultimate triumph in the Future Era, you now take control of a specific leader while civilizations evolve through three distinct structured ages. This innovative approach overhauls each campaign into a tapestry of pivotal moments, making the adventure feel less like a linear path and more like an exciting collection of historical highlights.
The three defined ages—Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern—each focus on specific milestones from our past. The Antiquity Age is when agricultural societies began to cluster, the Exploration Age is when empires began to expand across vast oceans, and the Modern Age is a time of great technological growth and global warfare. These ages serve as unique phases where significant events shape the world around you. For instance, a climactic war at the end of one age may be completely reset by the dawn of the next, wiping the slate clean of diplomatic ties, ongoing conflicts, and independent powers. While this shift may sacrifice some of the long-term continuity we’ve come to expect from previous titles, it opens the door to fresh storytelling opportunities, showcasing the rise, fall, and transformation of civilizations in thrilling new ways.
In one memorable campaign, I began my journey as Agustus in Rome, focusing on early expansion and trade. As the Exploration Age unfolded, I seamlessly transitioned into the Mongols, adapting my strategies to meet new military and economic challenges. By the time I reached the Modern Age, I was leading Imperial France, leveraging cutting-edge technology to maintain my influence. This evolution forced me to rethink the concept of historical progression; it wasn’t merely about the dominance of a single empire but rather how various civilizations could build upon the strengths of their predecessors.
Throughout this campaign, the leaders provide a sense of continuity, reacting to wars, trade agreements, and global events, which adds a dynamic layer to diplomacy. All considered, Civilization VII delivers a refreshing take on historical storytelling, challenging players to rethink their understanding of progress and strategy across different ages. In this game, the past is not just a backdrop but a vibrant, ever-evolving landscape.
Civilization VII evolves the gameplay of this storied franchise in many significant ways. City-building has undergone a significant overhaul, reducing the burden of micromanagement while still allowing for meaningful expansion. Rather than founding cities outright, you start by establishing towns, which can either remain specialized settlements or develop into bustling cities. This flexible approach to empire development keeps resource management at the forefront, while the changing value of resources as you progress through the ages adds new incentives for expansion and strategic planning.
Combat has become more tactical and engaging, with commanders now leading your armies and providing valuable bonuses. These leaders gain experience and can specialize in various areas, making unit placement and strategy more critical than ever. Managing a range of unit types requires a well-planned strategy, particularly during large-scale battles, adding an extra layer of complexity to your military campaigns.
Diplomacy and trade have been streamlined for a smoother experience. Instead of micromanaging individual deals, you can now engage in broader agreements that yield ongoing benefits or penalties. Furthermore, the Civilization-switching at the end of each Age encourages you to rethink your long-term strategies. Your nation evolves based on geographical factors and past diplomatic decisions, making adaptability essential for success.
Civilization VII retains its popular multiplayer that fans have come to expect, allowing friends and newcomers alike to engage in thrilling long-term campaigns. Both online and local options are back, featuring turn-based matches that support simultaneous moves to enhance the pace of gameplay.
The game modes echo those of earlier Civilization titles, offering standard matches, custom rule sets, and cooperative play options. A particularly exciting feature is the ability to start in different ages, allowing groups to dive into mid-game scenarios rather than always beginning in Antiquity. This flexibility adds a fresh twist to multiplayer sessions.
Firaxis has done an excellent job reimagining the Civilization experience while preserving the core strategic elements that fans adore. Although some changes may require a bit of adjustment, they breathe new life into the gameplay, ensuring that each campaign—whether solo or multiplayer—feels distinct and engaging.
Civilization VII takes a bold step away from the bright, stylized visuals of its predecessors, opting for a more grounded and realistic aesthetic that feels fresh. The cities are intricately detailed, the terrain types are distinctly defined, and the character models command attention during diplomatic interactions. This darker visual tone sets a different atmosphere compared to earlier entries in the series, plunging players in a more serious and thrilling world.
Diplomacy comes alive with dynamic leader animations, as characters respond vividly to war declarations, trade agreements, and shifting alliances. The combat animations are fluid and captivating, but keeping track of battles can become challenging when numerous troops overlap in urban areas as there's no clear unit markers to distinguish your armies at a glance.
While the game shines in many areas, the user interface does present some usability challenges. Key information, such as resource stockpiles and trade goods, is often buried within submenus, making it cumbersome to access vital details quickly. The resource management interface, in particular, feels a bit clunky, requiring extra steps to organize and view trade goods effectively. Although these issues don’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the game, they can make certain actions feel more tedious than they ought to be.
On the audio front, Civilization VII boasts a compelling soundtrack that evolves with each age, beautifully reflecting the culture and technology of the era. However, the leaders have fewer voiced lines and less expressive reactions compared to previous titles, which can make diplomatic exchanges feel less dynamic. The game’s narrator, voiced by the talented Gwendoline Christie, adds gravitas to historical moments, and is a nice step forward versus the more conversational style of earlier entries.
Despite a few lingering UI and visibility concerns, Civilization VII delivers a meticulously crafted presentation that reinforces its shift toward a more serious tone. With its rich visuals, engaging audio, and innovative gameplay mechanics, this latest installment has everything need to immerse players in a captivating historical journey.
The Verdict
Civilization VII valiantly redefines the series, introducing a leader-focused system, structured ages, and the exciting concept of civ-switching that pushes strategy into new territory. While some long-standing gameplay mechanics have been streamlined or replaced, the game retains its core turn-based foundation, ensuring that the essence of Civilization remains intact. For newcomers, Civilization VII serves as a more accessible entry point, thanks to its user-friendly gameplay mechanics and structured timeline. For long-term fans, the fresh perspective presents a wealth of new strategic possibilities just waiting to be explored.Final Score: 9/10 - Amazing
Sid Meier's Civilization VII details
Platform: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PCDeveloper: Firaxis Games
Publisher: 2K
Genre: Turn-Based Strategy, 4X
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
A key was provided by the publisher.