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, the early access build has disappointed many players.
Key criticisms center around several core aspects of the game:
User Interface (UI): Many players find the UI clunky and visually unappealing compared to Civ VI, with some even describing it as resembling a "free mobile knockoff." Concerns have been raised that Firaxis Games prioritized console development, resulting in a limited and less refined UI experience for PC players.
Maps and Map Customization: The map system has also drawn significant criticism. Players cite issues with map selection, limited map size options (only small, medium, and large, compared to Civ VI's five sizes), and a lack of customization. The lack of detailed map type information during selection is another common complaint.
Resource Mechanics: The new resource management system, which assigns resources to cities or empires strategically rather than through direct tile acquisition, has proven controversial. Players argue that the previous map-based resource system offered greater replayability.
Firaxis Games has acknowledged the negative feedback, particularly concerning the UI, and has stated that they are actively investigating the issues and committed to ongoing improvements through updates and expansions. They also encouraged players to provide further feedback on desired map features. The future development of Civ 7 will depend heavily on player response and the developer's ability to address these significant concerns.
