Civilization VII on Steam Storms Negatively in Early Access

Civilization VII's Advanced Access Launch Receives Backlash on Steam

Civilization VII (Civ 7), released five days early via Steam's Advanced Access, has garnered overwhelmingly negative player feedback, resulting in a "Mostly Negative" rating on the platform. This contrasts sharply with the high anticipation surrounding the game's release, the first in the series since Civ VI in 2016.

The criticism centers on several key areas:

User Interface (UI): Many players find the UI significantly inferior to Civ VI, describing it as clunky, unattractive, and even resembling a "free mobile knockoff." Some speculate that Firaxis Games prioritized console development, resulting in a limited and visually unappealing UI for the PC version.

Maps and Map Customization: Players are unhappy with the limited map size options (small, medium, and large, compared to Civ VI's five), lack of customization, and the perceived lack of information provided when browsing map types. The map selection process itself has also drawn criticism.

Resource Mechanics: The shift from Civ VI's map-based resource system to a city/empire-based strategic resource management system has been met with disapproval. Players argue the older system offered greater replayability.

Firaxis Games acknowledged the negative feedback, particularly concerning the UI, promising ongoing improvements and future updates. They also indicated that maps and other aspects of the game will evolve with future updates and expansions, encouraging further player feedback. The overwhelmingly negative response, however, raises significant concerns about the game's launch and its potential long-term success.