Civ 7 Steam Version Suffers Deluge of Negative Reviews as Advanced Access Releases

Civilization VII's Advanced Access Launch Receives Overwhelmingly Negative Steam Reviews

Civilization VII (Civ 7), released five days early via Steam's Advanced Access program, has been met with a deluge of negative player feedback, resulting in a "Mostly Negative" overall rating on the platform. This contrasts sharply with the high anticipation surrounding the game's release, the first mainline entry since Civ VI in 2016.

The primary criticisms center around several key areas:

User Interface (UI): Many players find the UI significantly inferior to Civ VI, describing it as "janky," "ugly," and even comparing it to a "free mobile knockoff." Concerns have been raised that Firaxis Games prioritized console development, resulting in a limited and visually unappealing UI for the PC version.

Maps and Map Customization: Players are voicing strong dissatisfaction with the map system. Issues include difficulties in map selection, limited map size options (only small, medium, and large, compared to Civ VI's five sizes), and a perceived lack of customization. The lack of detailed map type information during selection is another frequent complaint.

Resource Mechanics: The shift from Civ VI's map-based resource gathering to a city/empire-centric strategic resource management system has been widely criticized. Players argue the new system diminishes replayability compared to the randomized resource placement of its predecessor.

Firaxis Games has acknowledged the negative feedback, particularly concerning the UI, and assures players that improvements are underway. They also indicate that future updates and expansions will address map-related concerns. However, the overwhelmingly negative initial reception raises significant questions about the game's current state and its potential for future success.