Many Firaxis fans eagerly awaited another Civilization masterpiece following the release of Sid Meier's Civilization VII. However, initial Steam reviews paint a starkly different picture, revealing widespread dissatisfaction. Gamers are overwhelmingly critical of the game's clunky interface, outdated visuals, and pervasive feeling of incompleteness.
At the time of writing, the game boasts over 1,000 reviews, averaging a dismal 37% positive rating.
User Cool CGI Dog, after roughly 1.5 hours of gameplay, commented:
The game feels incredibly unfinished after just a few minutes, especially for a Civ title. The resource icons look like they're from 1998, the interface is atrocious, and the overall presentation is incredibly sloppy. There's a distinct lack of polish, something I never expected from Firaxis. The release of Civ VI is a world away from this incomplete mess. At minimum, Civ VII's interface demands a complete visual overhaul to even partially justify its exorbitant $70 price tag. This feels like a personal insult from Sid Meier himself.
Another player, WillNever, echoed these sentiments after 2.5 hours:
The interface looks and feels like an alpha build, completely untouched and unrefined. While the new mechanics are interesting, they're completely overshadowed by the dreadful user experience. Months of refinement are needed to make this game enjoyable.
The prevailing consensus among reviewers is that Civilization VII launched prematurely and requires substantial improvements. The $70 price point is particularly contentious, with players arguing it doesn't reflect the game's current state.
Series fans remain hopeful that Firaxis will address the considerable feedback and release updates that rectify these issues, restoring the game to the high standards expected of the Civilization franchise. The series has always been synonymous with quality and attention to detail; fans trust that the seventh installment will eventually live up to that legacy, but not in its current form.