Civilization VII Review – A Deviation but Still Excellent

Civilization VII, by Firaxis Games and 2K, launched on February 11, 2025, the first time launching globally at the same time on PC and consoles, and is the latest instalment in the legendary 4X strategy series. The iconic mantra of “just one more turn” has arrived after years of waiting, and I’m pleased to say it’s a visually stunning, mechanically ambitious, and engaging experience. I got sucked in night after night, thinking I was being politically and culturally outplayed, only to turn the tides by trying different tactics and having a heap of fun with the game so far.

Straight away, the most noticeable difference is the graphical overhaul. Civilization VII is a genuine visual spectacle, particularly as you get to see monuments built and sprawling villages as you expand your kingdom. Leader models are incredibly detailed, brimming with personality and expressive animations. The world map itself is a masterpiece, offering a truly immersive overview of your burgeoning empire. The days of stylised, cartoonish graphics are gone; Civilization VII aims for a more realistic and grand aesthetic and the level of detail is immense and immersive.

The other first impression was hearing Gwendoline Christie, a fellow Game of Thrones alum, deliver the iconic opening and era transitions adds a layer of gravitas and intrigue that’s instantly captivating. This is a welcome change from Sean Bean’s excellent work in Civ VI, showcasing a fresh and powerful voice. Each new village addition you unlock, each new science you learn and each stage of age evolution, her voice commands that you listen and pay attention.

Civilization VII advances the series by introducing several major gameplay changes, the most notabe of which is the “age” system. This mechanic means that at the end of every age, your leader stays the same, but you need to choose a new civilization. It resets certain aspects of the game with each era, aiming to prevent the “snowball effect” that often-plagued previous Civ titles. Your legacy paths progress across economic, culturual, scientific and militaristic carries over to the next age, along with unique abilities to use. General player feedback has been that this breaks up and disrupts that sense of long-term empire building in the previous civ games.

I agreed that at first it feels that way, but for players like me who only have a couple of hours each night to play, it gives me a chance to hit a hard save point and refocus. Often it could be a few days before I get to play next, so there’s always that feeling when I first jump in of, “ok, so what was I doing?” This allows me to not have to catch up on so much pre-game to find where I was heading and gives a natural save point for my save game structure.

Another key difference is the evolution of city and town management. In Civilization VII, players will notice a more intricate and dynamic approach to developing their settlements. The introduction of district specialisations allows cities to focus on strengths such as food generation, science, culture, or military prowess, enhancing the strategic depth of overall village management. These specialisations not only impact the city’s immediate capabilities but also influence the broader empire’s performance with trade routes and such.

The game introduces environmental and geographical considerations that play a significant role in city planning. Players must now account for natural resources, terrain types, and climate conditions when expanding their cities, leading to more immersive and realistic management decisions. There were often volcanoes erupting and floods devastating villages, not just to me but also the opposing empires which was interesting to watch happen. The integration of new infrastructure projects, such as aqueducts and advanced farms, also provides opportunities for cities to overcome these environmental challenges and thrive in diverse landscapes.

While I often start down a science of culture pathway, it’s not long before some empire is at my doorstep and the old RTS gameplay kicks in which turns into all-out war. The military mechanics in Civilization VII have been streamlined with the addition of army commanders. This new feature enhances army management, allowing for more strategic planning and execution of military campaigns. Army commanders have the capability to assemble a squad of units within its own tile, thereby enabling a significant portion of your land forces to function cohesively. This feature allows you to move a collection of units as one to execute strategic attacks on a village, or to reposition units effectively. Additionally, with three movement points as opposed to the standard two, the Commander exhibits superior speed compared to most other units.

Overall, Civilization VII delivers a rich and rewarding experience despite its deviation from the regular formula, blending familiar elements with innovative additions to the series. The visual upgrades and ambitious new mechanics are undeniably impressive, offering long-time fans and newcomers alike fresh experiences to reignite their passion for the game. Whether you are a dedicated follower of the series or a first-time player, Civilization VII will undoubtedly keep you returning for “just one more turn.”

This review utilised a key provided by 2K and Civilization VII is out now on Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox and PlayStation.

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