Civ 7 Steam Early Access Hit with Negative Reviews

Civilization 7, fondly known as Civ 7, has recently launched its Advanced Access version five days before its official February 11 release date. However, the excitement surrounding this highly anticipated sequel to the 2016 Civilization 6 has been overshadowed by a "mostly negative" rating on Steam. This rating stems from feedback provided by players who invested in the early access build, highlighting several key issues that have dampened their experience.

Steam Players Express Discontent with User Interface, Maps, and Resource Mechanics

One of the primary grievances voiced by the Steam community revolves around the game's User Interface (UI). Players have described the current UI as "janky" and "ugly," with some even likening it to a "free mobile knockoff" of the Civilization series. There's a prevailing sentiment that the UI appears to be designed primarily for console players, resulting in a "barren" and limited interface that fails to meet the expectations set by its predecessor, Civilization 6.

In addition to UI concerns, players have raised significant issues with the game's map functionality. Complaints include difficulties in selecting and choosing map types, a lack of size options, and minimal customization capabilities. Civ 7 offers only three map sizes—Small, Medium, and Large—which falls short compared to the five different sizes available in Civilization 6. This limitation has been a source of frustration for players seeking varied gameplay experiences.

Another focal point of criticism is Civ 7's new resource mechanics. Unlike the map-based resource placement in Civilization 6, where resources are randomly generated and controlled by players, Civ 7 assigns resources to cities or the empire through strategic management. Many players feel that this new system diminishes the replay value and strategic depth that was a hallmark of the previous game's resource mechanics.

In response to the feedback, Firaxis Games, the developers behind Civilization 7, have acknowledged the community's concerns. In a statement addressing one of the reviews, they noted, "We are aware of and looking into feedback on the game's UI. We're continuing to make improvements to Civilization VII, and appreciate you taking the time to drop your feedback. For the maps, Civilization VII is going to keep growing and changing with future updates and expansions, so please let us know what you'd like to see!" This suggests that the team is committed to refining the game based on player input, with hopes of enhancing the overall experience in future updates.