Civilization VII's early access launch on Steam has been met with a storm of negative reviews, leaving the game with a "mostly negative" rating. Let's delve into the reasons behind the player backlash.
Civ 7's Rocky Steam Debut: A Sea of Negative Reviews
UI, Maps, and Resource Mechanics Under Fire
Five days before its official February 11th release, Civilization VII (Civ 7) launched its advanced access program. However, the early access build hasn't lived up to expectations, prompting a flood of negative Steam reviews. The highly anticipated sequel to 2016's Civ VI has fallen short, with many players citing similar issues.
The user interface (UI) is a major target of criticism. Many players find it clunky and visually unappealing compared to Civ VI, with some even going so far as to compare it to a "free mobile knockoff." Accusations have been leveled at developer Firaxis Games, suggesting a console-first development approach has resulted in a limited and underwhelming UI experience.
Map generation and customization are also significant points of contention. Players are reporting issues with map selection, limited size options, and a lack of customization. The lack of detailed information when browsing map types is another common complaint. Civ 7 offers only three map sizes (Small, Medium, Large), a reduction from the five available in Civ VI, impacting gameplay variety.
The revamped resource mechanics have also drawn considerable ire. Instead of the direct tile-based resource gathering of Civ VI, Civ VII assigns resources to cities or empires through strategic management. Many players feel this change reduces replayability compared to the randomized resource placement of its predecessor.
Firaxis Games has acknowledged the negative feedback, responding to some reviews with a statement acknowledging the UI concerns and assuring players that Civilization VII will continue to evolve through updates and expansions. They've encouraged further feedback to help shape the game's future development.
