Sid Meier's Civilization VII

About

Sid Meier's Civilization VII Founders Edition allows players to expand their empire with more options and enjoy early access to the game. This edition includes the full base game, advanced access, various themed content packs, and exclusive bonuses like leader personas, profile customizations, and cosmetic skins. It is a time-limited offer available until February 2025.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

57%

Audience ScoreBased on 27,006 reviews

gameplay3.1k positive mentions

stability668 negative mentions

The core gameplay loop is engaging, with new mechanics like age transitions and city growth systems adding depth and variety.
The graphics are stunning, with detailed environments and a more realistic art style that enhances immersion.
The music and sound design are praised for their beautiful and immersive qualities, contributing to the game's atmosphere.

The user interface is clunky and difficult to navigate, making it hard for players to engage with the game's mechanics effectively.
Many players find the game tedious due to complex mechanics and a heavy reliance on grinding, particularly in the late game.
The monetization strategy has been criticized as exploitative, with concerns about the game's unfinished state at launch and aggressive DLC plans.

gameplay
9,981 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
62%
7%
The gameplay of Civilization VII has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the introduction of new mechanics such as the age transitions, city growth systems, and the separation of leaders from civilizations, which add depth and variety to the experience. However, criticisms focus on the game's user interface, which is often described as clunky and uninformative, making it difficult for players to understand and engage with the mechanics effectively. Overall, while the core gameplay is seen as fun and engaging, many players feel that the game is currently unpolished and lacks the depth and clarity expected from a Civilization title.
- “The gameplay is fantastic, and I am very much enjoying the game and the new direction.”
- “The core gameplay loop is incredibly engaging, and the new ages system makes for a refreshing take on the civilization formula.”
- “The new mechanics are interesting and will be cool to play.”
- “It feels like several mechanics don't work at all, and simple things like growing your town are incredibly difficult to understand, as tile yields are not clearly shown, and there are no navigators to help with this.”
- “Key aspects of gameplay are incredibly difficult to understand, and as a whole it feels like a half-baked game.”
- “The age transition mechanic completely ruins the flow.”
graphics
3,938 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
53%
5%
The graphics in Civilization VII have received a mixed reception from players. Many praise the stunning visuals, detailed environments, and the shift towards a more realistic art style compared to the cartoonish aesthetics of Civilization VI, noting that the graphics create an immersive experience. However, some players criticize the graphics for being overly busy and lacking clarity, making it difficult to discern important gameplay elements at a glance, and express disappointment in the user interface, which they feel detracts from the overall visual appeal.
- “The graphics are beautiful, with incredible detail in the buildings and units.”
- “The graphics are stunning, but it feels like this is the only improvement to the game.”
- “The graphics are gorgeous, the game runs smoothly, and the new diplomacy mechanics are interesting and unique.”
- “The graphics are terrible and are in the way of the gameplay.”
- “The graphics are worse than Civ 6, the leaders are uninspired and even contain minor characters in history as leaders, Benjamin Franklin?”
- “The graphics feel like a downgrade and are just an eyesore.”
music
973 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
42%
6%
The music in Civilization VII has received mixed reviews, with many praising its beautiful and immersive soundtrack, which includes historically accurate tunes that enhance the game's atmosphere. However, some players feel it lacks the iconic quality of previous installments, particularly Civilization VI, citing repetitiveness and a lack of memorable themes. Overall, while the music is generally well-received, there are calls for more variety and options to customize the listening experience.
- “The soundtrack, including tracks by Christopher Tin, once more excels, ranging in emotion from desolation to soaring victory.”
- “The music is beautiful, the characters, tiles, and artwork are stunning, and the turn-to-turn experience will have your sleep schedule in ruins.”
- “The music is uplifting, pleasant, and significantly more thoughtful than the shallow banalities of Civ 6's soundscape.”
- “I am really disappointed at the music in this game.”
- “Even the music is worse - Civ 6 had plenty of catchy songs, but the music in this game seems mostly like atonal background noise.”
- “Most of the music is quite obnoxious.”
story
929 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
85%
5%
The story aspect of Civilization VII has received mixed reviews, with players appreciating the new age progression system that allows for unique narratives and quests, but criticizing the heavy reliance on missionaries and the lack of player agency in storytelling. Many feel that the game has shifted from a sandbox experience to a more linear, quest-driven format, which can feel restrictive and repetitive. While some players enjoy the emergent storytelling and dynamic events, others find the overall narrative bland and the mechanics surrounding religion tedious, leading to a less engaging experience compared to previous titles.
- “The story you can build transitioning from different civs through the ages is really special and makes the game feel fresh every time.”
- “As with every new game, there are some bugs to be worked out; however, narratively speaking, it is a great story and your choices feel like they reflect that.”
- “My current game feels like a properly segmented three-act story, which is neat.”
- “The ui is incredibly bad, the customization is non-existent, the 'story' is bland and empty.”
- “There's no emerging story, you meet bland and seemingly arbitrary city states who fly onto your screen, you meet other civs which similarly lack personality, and it continues.”
- “The age system is jarring and breaks the fluidity of the story the player creates for artificial resets.”
stability
728 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
1%
92%
The stability of Civilization 7 has been widely criticized, with many players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and a generally unpolished user interface. Common issues include game freezes, disappearing units, and inconsistent gameplay mechanics, leading to frustration among users who feel the game was released in an unfinished state. While some players acknowledge the potential for improvement through future updates, the consensus is that the game currently does not justify its price due to its instability.
- “Honestly, as someone who has played every Civ game, this is the most complete, feature-rich, bug-free launch that the series has had.”
- “No crashing or technical issues for me, runs great, looks great, and still feels like other Civ games.”
- “I have experienced no bugs, no glitches, and nothing game-breaking so far.”
- “The game is so buggy that the units regularly disappear from the map and I can't tell what the other countries are doing.”
- “It's a buggy mess, but I expect that will get fixed over a couple of years - but I fear that some of the changes they've made to the game can't be patched away.”
- “This is a buggy, unfinished game with bad design choices all over, and for the price (I got the deluxe edition) it's practically a scam.”
grinding
644 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
99%
Reviews of "grinding" in the game highlight a mixed reception, with many players finding certain mechanics tedious and overly complex, particularly in the late game. While some aspects, like combat and city management, have been streamlined to reduce micromanagement, others, such as the religion system and resource management, still feel burdensome and repetitive. Overall, while there are improvements over previous titles, the game still incorporates elements of grinding that some players find frustrating and detracting from the overall experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The city quarters mechanic in principle is a fun more flexible way of implementing 6's districts but in the late game (modern era) it becomes tedious and boring to micro what building goes where.”
- “In general this game feels more tedious than previous versions, the UI is difficult to use and difficult to track the different mechanics this version introduces.”
- “The game has become more tedious than playing Star Wars Rebellion with modern day meta-gaming.”
optimization
628 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
61%
14%
The optimization of Civilization VII has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance on various platforms, particularly on the Steam Deck and Mac, while others report significant issues, especially in late-game scenarios where performance degrades. Many users feel the game is optimized for consoles rather than PC, leading to a clunky user interface and lag during gameplay. Overall, while some players experience smooth performance, others encounter frustrating stuttering, crashes, and a lack of essential features, indicating that further optimization is needed.
- “The game runs smoothly and is stable--a remarkable departure from earlier Civ releases.”
- “First of all, I’m impressed by the optimization.”
- “The game is very well optimized.”
- “On top of all this, Civilization VII is riddled with performance issues, uninspired AI, and a UI that somehow manages to be even worse than its predecessors.”
- “This game feels rushed, unpolished, and poorly optimized, making for a frustrating experience rather than an enjoyable one.”
- “The performance is awful on SteamOS and macOS, and the UI is clearly designed for a mobile game first and a PC game second.”
replayability
372 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
69%
3%
The replayability of Civ 7 has garnered mixed reviews, with many praising the new mechanics that allow for extensive customization through leader and civilization combinations, enhancing the potential for varied playthroughs. However, some players feel that certain design choices, such as the legacy pathways and the age system, limit freedom and depth, potentially diminishing long-term replay value. Overall, while the game offers significant replayability compared to its predecessors, concerns about balance and depth remain prevalent among the community.
- “There's endless replayability in the base game alone, and the devs are already incorporating community fixes for their shortcomings.”
- “The game's high replayability factor is a major draw, as I'm left with a strong desire to play again after completing a single leader's campaign, eager to unlock new achievements and try alternative victory paths.”
- “Mixing and matching leaders and civilizations feels like it would add a ton of replay value.”
- “The legacy pathways constrain you to play a very specific way, which limits freedom and replayability in building the fantasy of your people's arc through history.”
- “The lack of diverse and engaging mission objectives further diminishes the replayability, rendering the game somewhat monotonous after extended play.”
- “Frankly though, I think they've failed to realize any of them and made a soulless, aimless game that lacks in replayability.”
monetization
224 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
35%
63%
The monetization strategy of Civilization VII has drawn widespread criticism, with many players labeling it a blatant cash grab. Concerns center around the game's unfinished state at launch, aggressive DLC plans, and a perceived focus on profit over player experience, leading to feelings of exploitation and disappointment among long-time fans of the franchise. Overall, reviewers recommend waiting for significant discounts before purchasing, as the current monetization practices are seen as predatory and detrimental to the game's integrity.
- “Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of Civ VII is its aggressive monetization strategy.”
- “Monetization practices, on the other hand, are shady at best and downright exploitative at worst, so unless you're sure you'll like it, definitely wait for a sale before buying everything.”
- “As it stands, the game feels like a diminished version of what it once was, seemingly designed for maximum monetization rather than focusing on gameplay, player immersion, franchise integrity, and community expectations.”
- “This game launched as an incomplete, bare-bones cash grab, designed to nickel-and-dime players at every turn.”
- “The promise of future DLCs and expansions feels less like a commitment to improving the game and more like a cash grab.”
- “At the end of the day, Civilization VII has the bones of a great game, but it’s buried under so many frustrating UI issues, limited world generation, a lack of customization, and questionable monetization decisions.”
humor
146 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The humor in Civilization 7 is a mixed bag, with players finding amusement in both the game's quirks and its numerous bugs. Many reviews highlight the absurdity of certain design choices, such as mismatched leaders and civilizations, as well as the unintentionally funny interactions and glitches, which often lead to laughter despite the game's flaws. Overall, while some aspects are genuinely humorous, the overwhelming presence of issues detracts from the overall experience, leaving players with a sense of both enjoyment and frustration.
- “Also, if you save your game in antiquity, the save is 'leaderant01', and that is just funny.”
- “I saw a reddit post about a guy who couldn't get the afghans off of their screen and that made me laugh for 10 minutes straight which almost made buying this game half worth it.”
- “It's funny seeing all the players who have added 10+ hours (or even doubled) their playtimes since making their negative reviews.”
- “I’m not a veteran of the series, but you don’t have to spend dozens of hours in the previous installments to notice that Civ 7 is some kind of unfunny joke.”
- “This game has so many issues and red flags it's not funny.”
emotional
110 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional reception of the game is largely negative, with many players expressing a profound disconnect from their civilizations and a sense of disappointment in the game's execution. Critics highlight issues such as forced civilization changes and a lack of narrative flow, which detract from the emotional investment typically associated with the franchise. While some players find potential in the game, the overwhelming sentiment is one of heartbreak and frustration, leading many to consider refunds or to refrain from playing until significant updates are made.
- “The relationship between you as a player and the civilization you’ve built and nurtured was just too fractured in Humankind for me to feel emotionally invested and want to see through to the end.”
- “I shed a tear today.”
- “The orchestral pre-launch trailer was so nice, so emotional, (great music by the way.) I was nearly crying... and then you start the game and do not get the epic emotion... I want to feel like watching Troy or Kingdom of Heaven or similar epic historical movies... you promise something powerful, something prosperous, something you can believe in... I want that, please deliver!”
atmosphere
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
38%
6%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics, immersive sound design, and evocative music that enhances the historical settings. Players appreciate the detailed animations and cultural elements that contribute to a rich, engaging experience, although some critiques mention a disconnect from the franchise's core essence and occasional uninspired design choices. Overall, the game successfully creates a captivating and thoughtful mood that draws players into their civilization's journey.
- “The sound design also deserves commendation, with an atmospheric musical score that aptly complements the historical settings, immersing players in different epochs.”
- “Beautiful graphics & atmosphere – the game looks great, and the visuals create a cozy, thoughtful mood that fits well with the strategic gameplay.”
- “Plus, the adaptive soundtrack changes as you progress, creating an immersive atmosphere that pulls you deeper into your civilization’s journey.”
- “Age transitions are okay and could be made to work, but the 'quests' to make ages progress are borrowed from 1980s RPG games - 'deliver 30 crates over there', 'kill 10 rats'... Leaders, music, and artwork are uninspired at best and kitsch at worst - they created no atmosphere whatsoever.”
- “It's just that the whole atmosphere of the game feels disconnected from the heart of the franchise, and it looks like the developers took a lot of shortcuts in order to push the game out.”
- “Civ 6 had the great colors and sandbox feel, with an outstanding UI, and Civ 5 had the realism and in-game atmosphere we were looking for.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
50%
33%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the character design as "s-tier," while others feel that it has declined over the years, particularly noting inconsistencies in the designs, such as Augustus being less impressive compared to the more accurate portrayal of Napoleon. Overall, while the graphics and mechanics are appreciated, the character designs seem to be a point of contention among players.
- “Also, s-tier character design.”
- “After all those years, the graphics, the mechanics, and the character designs all feel arguably worse.”
- “Graphics are beautiful and realistic on the actual map, but I’d say the character designs fall short design-wise (I mean look at Augustus, my guy, although Napoleon is hilariously accurate).”