Civilization 7's Steam launch has garnered a "mixed" user review rating, prompting concerns from some hardcore fans. However, Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, remains optimistic, believing the game's unique features will ultimately win over its dedicated player base.
The game's early access release, primarily targeting hardcore Civilization fans, has seen criticism regarding the user interface (UI), limited map variety, and missing expected features. Firaxis has acknowledged this feedback, pledging improvements to the UI, the addition of team-based multiplayer, and a broader selection of map types.
In an interview with IGN, Zelnick highlighted the game's positive Metacritic score of 81 and numerous reviews exceeding 90, while acknowledging negative reviews, including Eurogamer's 2/5 score. He attributes the initial negative sentiment to the significant changes implemented in Civilization 7, specifically the innovative three-age campaign structure with simultaneous Age Transitions. This system, unprecedented in previous Civilization games, involves selecting a new civilization, retaining legacies, and witnessing world evolution at each transition. Zelnick believes this will grow on players.
Despite the positive outlook, Firaxis faces the challenge of improving player sentiment, especially on Steam. The platform's user review rating is critical for a game's success, impacting both public perception and Steam's algorithm for game visibility. Addressing the identified UI issues and other concerns will be key to achieving a more positive reception.
