Sid Meier's Civilization VII: A Disappointing Debut
High expectations surrounded the release of Civilization VII, the latest installment in the beloved strategy game franchise. However, initial Steam reviews paint a grim picture, with overwhelmingly negative feedback targeting the game's numerous flaws.
At the time of writing, over 1,000 reviews have been submitted, resulting in a dismal 37% positive rating. Players consistently cite a poorly designed interface, outdated graphics, and a pervasive feeling of incompletion as major shortcomings.
One user, Cool CGI Dog, after a mere 1.5 hours of gameplay, expressed profound disappointment: "The game feels...so blatantly incomplete after a few minutes, especially by Civ standards. The resource icons appear to be from 1998, the interface is terrible, and everything is extremely sloppy. There isn't any discernible care, which is something I didn't anticipate from Firaxis. The release of Civ VI is a far cry from this incomplete mess. At the very least, Civ VII's interface needs a total visual makeover to at least partially justify its outrageous $70 price tag." The user's frustration is palpable, concluding with a strongly worded critique of the game's perceived value.
Another player, WillNever, echoed these sentiments after 2.5 hours, stating: "The interface appears and feels as though it was designed during the alpha phase of development and hasn't been altered or enhanced since. Although the new mechanics are intriguing, it is not worth the effort to navigate this awful interface. To make the game fun, months of tweaking are required."
The prevalent opinion among reviewers is that Civilization VII launched prematurely and requires substantial improvements. The $70 price point is a particular point of contention, deemed disproportionate to the game's current state.
The Civilization series has a long-standing reputation for excellence and meticulous detail. Fans remain hopeful that Firaxis will address the critical feedback through future updates, restoring the franchise's reputation and bringing Civilization VII up to the expected standard. However, in its current form, the game falls far short of expectations.
