Civ 7 Negative Reviews Flood Steam Amid Early Access Launch

Civilization VII's Early Access Launch Faces Backlash on Steam

Civilization VII (Civ 7), launched five days early via Steam's Advanced Access, has received a predominantly negative reception from players. The game currently holds a "mostly negative" rating on the platform, with widespread criticism focused on several key areas.

UI, Map, and Resource Mechanics Under Fire

The user interface (UI) is a major source of discontent. Many players find the UI visually unappealing and clunky compared to its predecessor, Civ VI. Some have even described it as resembling a low-budget mobile game, leading to speculation that development prioritized console versions, resulting in a limited and less polished PC experience.

Map generation and customization options also draw significant criticism. Players cite issues with map selection, limited size options (only small, medium, and large, unlike Civ VI's five sizes), and a lack of customization. The lack of detailed map information during selection is another recurring complaint.

The revised resource mechanics are another point of contention. Instead of directly collecting resources from map tiles as in Civ VI, Civ VII assigns resources to cities and empires through strategic management. Players argue this change diminishes replayability compared to the previous system's random resource generation.

Firaxis Responds

Firaxis Games acknowledged the negative feedback, particularly concerning the UI, stating they are actively investigating player concerns and making improvements. They also indicated that future updates and expansions will address map-related issues, encouraging players to share their suggestions. The response, however, has done little to quell the negative sentiment surrounding the game's current state.