Civilization VII's Advanced Access Launch Met with Negative Steam Reviews
Civilization VII (Civ 7) launched its Advanced Access five days early, on February 6th, but the early release has been met with a deluge of negative reviews on Steam, resulting in a "Mostly Negative" overall rating. This is despite high anticipation for the game, the first in the series since Civ VI in 2016.
The primary criticisms center around several key areas:
User Interface (UI): Many players find the UI clunky and visually unappealing compared to Civ VI, with some even describing it as resembling a "free mobile knockoff." Concerns have been raised that the UI may be overly simplified, potentially prioritizing console versions over the PC experience.
Maps and Map Customization: Players are unhappy with the limited map size options (small, medium, and large, compared to Civ VI's five), lack of customization, and the perceived lack of information provided when browsing map types. The map selection process itself has also drawn criticism.
Resource Mechanics: The shift from map-based resource gathering in Civ VI to a city/empire-based strategic resource management system in Civ VII has been a point of contention. Players argue the older system offered greater replayability.
Firaxis Games has acknowledged the negative feedback, specifically addressing UI concerns and promising ongoing improvements and updates to the game, including maps, based on player input. The developer's response indicates a commitment to addressing these issues in future patches and expansions.
