Civilization VII's Early Access Launch Met with Negative Steam Reviews
Civilization VII (Civ 7) launched its Advanced Access five days ahead of its official February 11th release, but the early reception on Steam has been overwhelmingly negative. The game currently holds a "mostly negative" rating, primarily due to criticisms regarding its user interface (UI), map features, and resource mechanics.
The UI has been a major point of contention. Many players find it inferior to Civ VI's, describing it as "janky," "ugly," and even comparing it to a "free mobile knockoff." Some speculate that Firaxis Games prioritized console development, resulting in a limited and visually unappealing UI for the PC version.
Map generation and customization options have also drawn significant criticism. Players cite issues with map selection, limited size options (only small, medium, and large, compared to Civ VI's five), and a lack of customization. The lack of detailed map information during selection is another common complaint.
The new resource system, which assigns resources to cities and empires through strategic management rather than direct tile collection, has also proven controversial. Players argue that the previous system, with its randomly generated map resources, offered greater replayability.
Firaxis Games acknowledged the negative feedback, specifically addressing UI concerns and promising ongoing improvements and updates based on player input. They also hinted at future expansions and updates to address map-related issues. The developer's response indicates a commitment to addressing player concerns before the official release.
