Civilization VII's Advanced Access Launch Met with Negative Steam Reviews
Civilization VII (Civ 7) launched its Advanced Access five days early on Steam, but the reception has been overwhelmingly negative, resulting in a "Mostly Negative" rating. While anticipation was high for the first new Civilization game since 2016, several key issues have soured the experience for many players.
The user interface (UI) is a major point of contention. Many players find the UI clunky and visually unappealing compared to Civ VI, with some going so far as to compare it to a "free mobile knockoff." Concerns have been raised that Firaxis Games prioritized console development, leading to a simplified and limited UI.
Map generation and customization options are also criticized. Players report difficulties in map selection, limited size choices (only small, medium, and large, compared to Civ VI's five sizes), and a lack of customization. The lack of detailed map information during selection is another common complaint.
The revised resource mechanics have also drawn criticism. Instead of directly gathering resources from map tiles as in Civ VI, Civ VII assigns resources to cities or empires through strategic management. Players argue that this change reduces replayability compared to the previous system.
Firaxis Games acknowledged the negative feedback, particularly regarding the UI, stating they are actively investigating and making improvements. They also indicated that future updates and expansions will address map-related concerns, encouraging players to provide further feedback. The overall negative response highlights significant concerns about the game's current state, despite the anticipation surrounding its release.
