Fans are smashing Civilization 7 on Steam: The game is being heavily criticized

Sid Meier's Civilization VII: A Disappointing Debut?

Anticipation ran high among Firaxis fans for the release of Civilization VII, hoping for another iconic title in the series. However, initial Steam reviews paint a drastically different picture, overwhelmingly negative and highlighting significant flaws.

With over 1,000 reviews at the time of writing, the game boasts a dismal 37% positive rating. Criticisms consistently target a subpar user interface, outdated graphics, and a pervasive feeling of incompleteness.

User Cool CGI Dog, after a 1.5-hour playtime, expressed profound disappointment: "The game feels blatantly incomplete after only a few minutes, especially for a Civ game. The resource icons look like they're from 1998, the interface is atrocious, and everything feels incredibly sloppy. There's a distinct lack of care, which is shocking from Firaxis. Civ VI's release is worlds apart from this unfinished mess. At the very least, Civ VII's interface needs a complete overhaul to justify its exorbitant $70 price tag." The user concludes with a strongly worded expression of dissatisfaction.

Another player, WillNever, echoed these sentiments after 2.5 hours of gameplay: "The interface looks and feels like an alpha build, untouched and unimproved. While the new mechanics are interesting, navigating this terrible interface isn't worth it. Months of refinement are needed to make this game enjoyable."

The prevailing opinion among reviewers is that the game launched prematurely and demands substantial improvements. The $70 price point is a particular point of contention, deemed disproportionate to the product's current quality.

The Civilization franchise's legacy is built on quality and attention to detail. Fans remain hopeful that Firaxis will address the considerable feedback, releasing updates that rectify the issues and restore the series to its former glory. Currently, however, Civilization VII falls significantly short of expectations.