Civilization 7, affectionately known as Civ 7, has been met with a wave of criticism upon the release of its Advanced Access version, leading to a "mostly negative" rating on Steam. Released five days ahead of its official launch date on February 11, the game has not met the high expectations set by fans eagerly awaiting the first new entry in the series since Civilization 6 in 2016.
Steam Players Voice Concerns Over User Interface, Maps, and Resource Mechanics
The primary grievance among players centers around the game's User Interface (UI). Many have criticized the UI for appearing "janky" and "ugly" when compared to its predecessor, Civilization 6. Some players have gone as far as likening the UI to that of a "free mobile knockoff" of the series. There's a prevailing sentiment that Firaxis Games, the developers, may have prioritized console compatibility, resulting in a UI that feels "barren" with limited options.
Another significant point of contention is the game's map system. Players have expressed frustration over the limited options for selecting map types, sizes, and customization. Civilization 7 offers only three map sizes: Small, Medium, and Large, a reduction from the five sizes available in Civilization 6. This limitation has left players feeling constrained in their gameplay choices. Furthermore, the lack of detailed information when scrolling through map types has added to the dissatisfaction.
The new resource mechanics in Civilization 7 have also sparked debate. Unlike Civilization 6, where resources were directly gathered from map tiles, Civ 7 assigns resources to cities or the empire through strategic management. This change has led players to feel that the previous system offered more replay value and a richer gameplay experience.
In response to the feedback, Firaxis Games has acknowledged the concerns, particularly regarding the UI. They stated, "We are aware of and looking into feedback on the game's UI. We're continuing to make improvements to Civilization VII, and appreciate you taking the time to drop your feedback. For the maps, Civilization VII is going to keep growing and changing with future updates and expansions, so please let us know what you'd like to see!" This indicates that the developers are committed to addressing these issues and enhancing the game in future updates.
