Civilization VII Review

As a fan of the last few entries in the Civilization series, I was eager to dive into Civilization 7, the latest entry in Sid Meier’s iconic turn-based strategy franchise. Over the years, Civ has kept me up late into the night with its “just one more turn” addictiveness, and Civ 7 is no different. This installment refines the formula in some key ways, making it both accessible to new players while still offering the deep, strategic experience that veteran fans crave.

At its core, Civilization 7 retains the classic Civ gameplay loop: you guide a civilization from its humble beginnings through the ages, expanding your empire, engaging in diplomacy, waging war, and striving for one of several victory conditions. However, this time around, the game introduces a few major structural changes that streamline some of the more cumbersome systems of previous entries.

One of the most noticeable refinements is the way the game handles transitions between ages. Instead of playing as a single civilization throughout, you now retain your chosen leader but can pick a new civilization every time you progress to a new age. This means that while your leader’s unique bonuses and abilities stay with you for the entire game, your available military units, cultural buildings, and economic strengths can shift dramatically depending on which civilization you choose in each era. It’s an intriguing mechanic that forces you to adapt rather than relying on a single, dominant strategy from start to finish.

While I personally enjoyed the flexibility this brought to my campaigns, I can see how longtime fans might be a little put off. Some players love the idea of carefully nurturing a single civilization from ancient times to the modern age, and this new approach may feel like it disrupts that sense of continuity. However, after spending hours experimenting with different combinations of leaders and civilizations, I found the variety kept things fresh in a way that previous Civ games sometimes struggled with.

I won’t sugarcoat it—Civilization 7 has a learning curve, and it’s a steep one. While Firaxis has done a good job of removing some of the system bloat that weighed down previous entries, there are still a lot of mechanics to wrap your head around. From managing districts and city specialisation to optimizing your research and diplomacy strategies, it can feel overwhelming at first.

For example, the government and policy system has been revamped to allow for more dynamic shifts in your playstyle, but understanding how to best utilize different civic options takes time. Similarly, the way trade routes and resource management work has been slightly altered, requiring a more active approach to ensuring your empire remains prosperous. If you’re not paying attention, it’s easy to suddenly find yourself with an unhappy populace, dwindling resources, or a military that’s outmatched by your rivals.

That said, once I got the hang of things, I found myself completely immersed. It’s one of those games where you sit down for a quick session, only to realize hours have passed and you’re still trying to secure a crucial scientific breakthrough or fend off an invading army.

One of Civilization 7’s biggest strengths is its sheer level of customization. There are numerous difficulty options, allowing both newcomers and seasoned veterans to tailor the challenge to their liking. Additionally, the game offers a wide range of map types and sizes, which helps keep each playthrough feeling unique.

Choosing a leader and civilization is still one of the most critical decisions you make at the start of a campaign. Civ 7 offers an extensive roster of leaders, each with their own perks and bonuses that can dramatically shape your strategy. Some leaders favor aggressive military expansion, while others thrive in diplomacy, culture, or scientific advancement. I personally leaned into a military and culture-heavy approach in most of my playthroughs, and it was satisfying to use well-timed military campaigns to establish dominance while also creating a flourishing cultural empire.

Combat in Civilization 7 is satisfying, if not revolutionary. The enemy AI is capable enough to provide a decent challenge, though I imagine experienced Civ players will find ways to exploit its weaknesses. Declaring war on an enemy nation when I knew I had a stronger, better-positioned military never stopped being a satisfying power move. The unit variety is solid, with each age bringing new options that require you to adapt and evolve your strategies.

The transition between ages also brings another challenge: disasters. These natural or political upheavals can throw a wrench into your plans, forcing you to pivot and adapt. While they didn’t always go my way, I appreciated how they added an element of unpredictability to each game. Just when I thought I had everything under control, a sudden environmental catastrophe or internal revolt would force me to reconsider my next moves.

As with previous entries, there are multiple ways to achieve victory in Civ 7, including military domination, cultural influence, scientific progress, and diplomatic success. I found myself gravitating toward military and culture victories, as they felt the most rewarding in my playthroughs, but each victory condition requires careful planning and strategy. Science victories remain a slower but satisfying challenge, as you must carefully balance research, city development, and defense against more aggressive civilizations.

The art direction in Civilization 7 is absolutely gorgeous. The game leans into a more stylized, painterly aesthetic, making the world feel vibrant and alive. Each civilization has distinct architectural styles, unit designs, and animations that help make them feel unique.

The music and sound design are also top-notch. Each civilization has its own musical themes that evolve over time, subtly shifting as you progress through different ages. The game features music that seems to fit the theme and culture of the civilisation you’re playing. It’s a small detail, but it really helps with immersion. The sound effects, whether it’s the clashing of swords, the construction of new districts, or the satisfying click of selecting a unit, all add to the experience in meaningful ways.

While Civilization 7 is an excellent game, it isn’t perfect. One of my biggest complaints is that the modern era still doesn’t quite feel modern enough. The game ends at a point where it feels like it could go further, exploring near-future technologies or more contemporary global issues. It would have been great to see a campaign that truly spans from the dawn of civilization to the present day and beyond. There is always the chance that this content does come in a future expansion or content pack, but for right now, it is a little underwhelming having the climax of the game feel incomplete after spending so much time on a run.

Another minor gripe is the menu navigation. While the UI has been cleaned up in many areas, some icons and menus are still not as intuitive as they should be. There were times when I found myself hunting for specific information with it hidden away in convoluted parts of menus or unavailable at all. The game is also filled with vague or unclear icons that required a bit of trial and error to decipher, sometimes resulting in less than desirable outcomes. 

Final Thoughts

Despite some minor nitpicks, Civilization 7 is an outstanding addition to the series. It successfully streamlines certain mechanics while adding fresh layers of strategy, making it an excellent entry point for newcomers without alienating long-time fans. The new leader/civilization system, the variety of playstyles, and the dynamic nature of disasters and transitions between ages all help keep the experience engaging.

If you’re a fan of sim strategy games, Civilization 7 is a must-play. Just be prepared to lose track of time—because once you start the groundwork of building up a civilization, it’s very hard to stop.

A review code was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review.

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