Civ 7 Steam Early Access Hit with Negative Reviews

Civilization 7, affectionately known as Civ 7, has stirred up quite a storm on Steam with its Advanced Access release, garnering a "mostly negative" rating just days before its official launch on February 11. Fans of the franchise, eagerly awaiting the successor to the beloved Civ 6 from 2016, are now facing a wave of disappointment over several key issues in the game's current build.

Steam Players Express Frustration Over User Interface, Maps, and Resource Mechanics

One of the primary points of criticism centers around the game's User Interface (UI). Players have described it as "janky" and "ugly," with some even likening it to a "free mobile knockoff" of Civ. There's a sentiment among the community that Firaxis Games, the developers, may have prioritized console versions, leading to a UI that feels "barren" and lacks the depth seen in previous iterations.

The map selection process in Civ 7 has also drawn ire from players. Complaints range from issues with selecting maps, limited map types, and a lack of customization options. The game currently offers only three map sizes—Small, Medium, and Large—compared to the five available in Civ 6, which catered to a wider variety of gameplay experiences. Additionally, players noted the lack of detailed information when scrolling through map types.

Another significant point of contention is the new resource mechanics in Civ 7. Unlike the previous game, where resources were directly gathered from map tiles, Civ 7 assigns resources to cities or the empire through strategic management. Many players feel this change diminishes the replay value that the random resource generation of Civ 6 offered.

In response to the outcry, Firaxis Games has acknowledged the feedback, particularly regarding the UI. They stated, "We are aware of and looking into feedback on the game's UI. We're continuing to make improvements to Civilization VII, and appreciate you taking the time to drop your feedback. For the maps, Civilization VII is going to keep growing and changing with future updates and expansions, so please let us know what you'd like to see!" This suggests an ongoing commitment to refining Civ 7 in response to player concerns.