Civilization VII takes another step in evolving a series that has come a long way since its debut in 1991. The game introduces some fresh ideas while streamlining many of the classic elements that long-time fans have come to expect.
As expected, the graphics have become more polished and new mechanics have been introduced. However, does everything play well together?
I love the art and character models in the game. From the castles of the Normans to the Walls of the Ming Dynasty, every detail, from the intricate designs of each unit to the unique districts, is downright gorgeous. I’ve spent several hours zooming into the wonders and city districts. I’d pick a civilization just because of the looks — the Ming settlements being my favourite visually.
The only thing better than the art is the fantastic soundtrack. Composed and arranged by Geoff Knorr and Roland Rizzo, the score blends orchestral grandeur with intimate, stirring moments that shift through the game’s eras.
Grammy-winner Christopher Tin lends his expertise to two tracks, including the anthemic main theme “Live Gloriously”. Together, these musical contributions create an immersive experience that elevates every moment of your journey. Heck, use them for your next tabletop RPG adventure. The tracks really do set the mood.
One of the more noticeable shifts in Civilization VII is introducing the Age system, which functions as a soft reset. As you complete each Age, you carry forward certain traditions and bonuses while facing new challenges, such as a world crisis that must be overcome before moving on.
This structure injects a refreshing rhythm into typically long, drawn-out games, ensuring players remain competitive with each new era. The Legacy Paths, divided into Culture, Military, Science, and Economics, add another layer of strategy by awarding Legacy Points for completing specific objectives, points that can be used to secure special boons in the following Age.
It does mean that you don’t build one continuous civilization. Instead, you now choose a leader first and then a corresponding civilization, only to see that choice evolve as they progress through distinct Ages.
Your initial pick may transform dramatically, starting in Antiquity, moving through the Exploration Age, and finally entering the Modern Age—imagine beginning your journey as Greece and ending it as the USA.
On some levels, it does feel a little weird that Xerxes could end up being the ruler of America or Harriet Tubman leading Meiji Japan into a new age.
While this change offers a new level of customization with era-specific units and bonuses, it also removes the traditional loyalty to a single civilization, a twist that might feel jarring to veterans.
The game’s overhaul extends to citizen management and resource allocation, too. Instead of manually assigning your best citizens to yield bonuses, you now slot resources into your growing cities as you expand, making for a more streamlined but occasionally tedious process.
This change comes with a welcome reduction in unit clutter as builders and workers fade into the background, simplifying the overall gameplay experience.
However, there is a balancing act between developing cities and keeping other locations as towns to feed the cities with resources.
Diplomacy and religion have also been reimagined. The diplomatic interactions now lean more towards transactional exchanges than rich, character-driven negotiations, with Influence as a currency to forge or block alliances.
This approach makes diplomatic encounters feel impersonal and a lot more transactional. Similarly, religious gameplay has been pared down significantly. Without the dynamic spread of faith or the excitement of holy combat, the spiritual aspect of Civilization VII might leave those who enjoyed those deeper mechanics feeling a bit shortchanged.
Despite these criticisms, Civilization VII still offers a robust and accessible experience, particularly for newcomers to the franchise.
The streamlined features and three-act structure make Civilization VII an excellent starting point for those not yet ready to dive into the more intricate systems of its predecessors. On the other hand, veterans might find themselves missing the complexity and nuanced strategies of earlier games.
Ultimately, Civilization VII is an ambitious experiment that introduces innovations and a reimagined experience. While some notable quirks may not fully satisfy long-time fans, it may be one for the franchise’s future.