A Fresh Take on a Legendary Series
The Civilization franchise has long been a cornerstone of the 4X strategy genre, and its latest installment, Civilization VII, takes a daring leap forward by overhauling many of its traditional mechanics. While some of these changes might be controversial, they introduce a level of strategic depth and dynamism that could redefine the series for years to come.
For those who have been longtime fans of the franchise, these shifts might feel like a seismic change. However, after spending over 35 hours with Civilization VII, I can confidently say that many of these innovations solve longstanding issues while keeping the core essence of the game intact.
A New Way to Play: The Three-Age System
One of the most significant changes in Civilization VII is its restructuring of history into three distinct “ages”—Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. Unlike previous entries where eras simply represented a passage of time, these ages function almost as standalone game phases, each with unique tech trees, units, buildings, and even victory conditions.
This structure not only enhances replayability but also addresses one of Civilization’s biggest issues: snowballing. In previous games, a strong early lead often meant coasting to victory. With the new system, all civilizations essentially reset their progress at the beginning of each new age, forcing players to continuously adapt and re-strategize.
Legacy Paths: A Strategic Evolution
Each age features “legacy paths” that correspond to different victory types—economic, military, science, and culture. These paths create a structured progression system where players must complete objectives to gain points, which then provide advantages for the next age. The final legacy path in the Modern age determines the game’s ultimate victory conditions.
This approach ensures that each phase of the game remains meaningful. Players must consider not only short-term gains but also how their decisions will shape their civilization’s trajectory across ages.
Dynamic Leaders and Civilizations
Perhaps the most controversial change in Civilization VII is the ability to mix and match leaders with different civilizations. This means you could play as Benjamin Franklin leading Persia or Isabella commanding Rome. While some purists may lament the historical inaccuracies, this system enhances gameplay flexibility and strategy.
Moreover, at each age transition, players must select a new civilization based on their previous choices and achievements. This mechanic mirrors real-world cultural evolution—historical cities often changed hands, influencing their development over time.
Addressing the Busywork Problem
A major quality-of-life improvement in Civilization VII is the removal of traditional worker units. Instead, city improvements are built directly from the city management interface. This eliminates the late-game micromanagement that often made previous installments feel tedious.
Additionally, military unit management has been streamlined. Armies can now be grouped into single-hex units under military commanders, reducing the cumbersome “carpet of doom” problem that plagued Civilization V and VI.
Diplomacy and Influence: A Game-Changer
Diplomacy in Civilization VII has been completely reimagined with the introduction of “influence” as a new resource. Influence is used to interact with independent settlements, sway diplomatic decisions, and even support wars. This system replaces the often frustrating and opaque diplomacy mechanics of previous titles, making international relations more engaging and transparent.
Additionally, the war support mechanic ensures that conflicts are more dynamic, as other civilizations can invest influence to back different sides. This creates a fluid geopolitical landscape where alliances and hostilities shift naturally over time.
A More Immersive City System
Cities now evolve more organically. Settlements begin as “towns” before developing into fully-fledged cities. Players can decide whether to keep them as economic hubs or invest resources to expand their influence.
Furthermore, the previously separate concepts of barbarians and city-states have been merged into “independent settlements.” These neutral entities can either be conquered or diplomatically integrated into your civilization, adding another layer of strategic depth.
Console and Steam Deck Performance
For the first time, Civilization VII is launching simultaneously on PC, Mac, Linux, and consoles—including PlayStation and Xbox. The game is also Steam Deck Verified, making it more accessible than any previous entry.
While the console versions were not available for testing, the Steam Deck experience was largely positive. The control scheme is intuitive, and while performance occasionally dips in the late game, the overall experience is smooth enough to make playing on the go viable.
The Verdict: A Civilization Reborn
Civilization VII is undoubtedly a bold departure from its predecessors. The shift to a three-age system, the reimagined diplomacy mechanics, and the streamlined city and military management all contribute to a more engaging and strategically rich experience.
While some traditionalists might take issue with the new civilization system or the removal of individual workers, these changes ultimately serve to create a more dynamic and balanced game. If Civilization IV was the franchise’s peak in depth and Civilization V refined accessibility, Civilization VII could well be the most balanced and replayable iteration yet.
Final Thoughts
Is Civilization VII perfect? No. Some mechanics—such as late-age transitions—may require further refinement, and historical accuracy purists may struggle with the mix-and-match leader system. However, for those who enjoy deep, strategic gameplay with fresh innovations, this game is an undeniable triumph.
