Civilization VII reviews are mostly positive

With Sid Meier's Civilization VII launching next week, the review embargo has finally lifted. Gaming outlets have shared their initial thoughts, and here's a summary of the key takeaways.

The most lauded new feature is the Era System, a significant departure from previous installments. This system allows civilizations to dynamically evolve and change throughout the game, rather than remaining static.

This innovative approach directly addresses long-standing gameplay issues like excessively lengthy matches and the potential for one civilization to dominate unchecked. Each of the three distinct eras offers a unique gameplay experience, complete with its own technologies and victory strategies.

The ability to combine leaders and civilizations is another highly praised element. This strategic flexibility allows players to creatively mix and match leader abilities and civilization strengths, though not always adhering to strict historical accuracy.

Reviewers also praised improvements in city placement, resource management, district construction, and a more streamlined user interface. However, some critics felt the UI simplification went too far.

Conversely, several reviewers noted that the maps feel smaller than in previous Civilization titles, impacting the overall sense of scale. Technical issues, including bugs and frame rate drops when accessing menus, were also reported. Additionally, some matches reportedly ended prematurely and inconclusively.

Given the immense scope and replayability of a Civilization game, a truly definitive judgment will require considerable time and community exploration. Nevertheless, these early reviews offer a comprehensive initial assessment.