"Civ 7 Steam Early Access Hit by Wave of Negative Reviews"

Civilization 7 (Civ 7) has encountered a wave of criticism on Steam following the release of its Advanced Access version, just five days before its scheduled launch on February 11. The game, which was eagerly awaited as the first new entry in the series since Civilization 6 in 2016, has unfortunately garnered a "mostly negative" rating from players on the platform.

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

Players have voiced significant concerns about various aspects of the game. The User Interface (UI) has been a major point of contention, with many describing it as "janky" and "ugly" compared to its predecessor, Civilization 6. Some users have gone as far as likening the current UI to that of a "free mobile knockoff" of the Civilization series. There are also allegations that the developers, Firaxis Games, may have prioritized console versions, resulting in a UI that feels "barren" and lacks customization options.

Another area of criticism revolves around the game's maps. Players have reported difficulties in selecting and choosing map types, as well as limited size options and a lack of customization. Civilization 7 offers only three map sizes—Small, Medium, and Large—which is a reduction from the five available in Civilization 6, affecting the variety of gameplay experiences.

The new resource mechanics in Civilization 7 have also drawn ire from the community. Unlike Civilization 6, where resources were randomly generated across the map for players to control, Civ 7 assigns resources to cities or the empire through strategic management. Many players feel that this change reduces the replay value that was a hallmark of the previous system.

In response to the feedback, Firaxis Games has acknowledged the concerns, particularly about the UI. They stated, "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!"