Take-Two Boss Says 'Legacy' Civilization Audience Will Eventually Come Around on Civilization 7 Amid 'Mixed' Steam User Reviews

Author: Sadie Mar 01,2025

Civilization 7's launch has garnered mixed Steam reviews, but Take-Two's CEO remains optimistic. While early access players, often considered hardcore fans, have voiced concerns about the UI, limited map variety, and missing features, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick believes these criticisms will fade as players engage more deeply with the game.

The game's current Steam user reviews highlight UI issues, a lack of map diversity, and the absence of expected features. Firaxis has acknowledged this feedback and pledged improvements, including UI enhancements, the addition of multiplayer teams, and a broader range of map types.

Zelnick points to a Metacritic score of 81 and numerous reviews exceeding 90 as evidence of the game's overall quality. He acknowledges negative reviews, such as Eurogamer's 2/5 score, but maintains that the "legacy Civ audience," initially apprehensive due to significant gameplay changes, will ultimately appreciate the game's innovations. He specifically cites the new Age Transition system, which involves selecting a new civilization and retaining legacies across three distinct Ages (Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern), as a key departure from previous iterations.

Zelnick believes Civ fans will come to love Civ 7. Photographer: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

However, Firaxis faces the challenge of improving player sentiment, particularly on Steam. A positive Steam user review rating is vital for the game's success on the platform, impacting both public perception and its visibility. Addressing the identified issues promptly is crucial for improving the game's reception and ensuring its long-term success.