Civ 7 Steam Version Suffers Deluge of Negative Reviews as Advanced Access Releases

Civilization VII's early access launch on Steam has been met with a wave of negative reviews, leaving the game with a "mostly negative" rating. Let's delve into the reasons behind the player backlash.

Civ 7's Rocky Steam Debut: A Sea of Negative Reviews

UI, Maps, and Resource Mechanics Under Fire

Five days before its official February 11th release, Civilization VII (Civ 7) opened its doors to early access players. However, the reception has been far from celebratory. The overwhelmingly negative Steam reviews paint a concerning picture for the highly anticipated sequel to Civ 6 (2016).

The initial excitement surrounding Civ 7's release has been significantly dampened by the torrent of negative feedback. Several key issues consistently emerge in player complaints.

The user interface (UI) is a major point of contention. Many players describe the UI as clunky, visually unappealing, and a significant downgrade from Civ 6. Harsh comparisons to "free mobile knockoffs" highlight the widespread dissatisfaction with its current state. Some critics even suggest a console-first development approach has resulted in a barren and limited UI experience on PC.

Map generation and customization options also draw considerable criticism. Players report difficulties selecting maps, limited size choices, and a lack of customization options. The limited map size options (small, medium, large, compared to Civ 6's five) further fuel this discontent. Even basic map information is reportedly lacking during the selection process.

Finally, the revamped resource mechanics are a source of considerable frustration. The shift from direct resource gathering on map tiles (as seen in Civ 6) to a city/empire-based strategic resource management system has been met with resistance. Players argue that the older system offered greater replayability.

Firaxis Games has acknowledged the feedback, responding to one review with a commitment to addressing UI concerns and promising continued improvements and expansions for Civ 7. They encourage players to share their suggestions for future updates.