Civilization VII Draws Criticism on Steam Amidst Launch

Sid Meier's Civilization VII: A Disappointing Debut

High expectations surrounded the release of Sid Meier's Civilization VII, but early Steam reviews paint a starkly different picture. The game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, currently holding a dismal 37% rating based on over 1,000 reviews.

Criticism centers on several key areas: a dated and clunky interface, graphically underwhelming visuals, and a pervasive sense of incompletion. Players express disappointment, feeling the game was released prematurely and lacks the polish expected from Firaxis.

One user, Cool CGI Dog, after just 1.5 hours of gameplay, described the experience as "blatantly incomplete," citing "resource icons from 1998," a "terrible interface," and an overall "sloppy" presentation. They felt the game lacked the care and attention to detail characteristic of previous Civilization titles, deeming the $70 price tag unjustified.

Another player, WillNever, echoed these sentiments after 2.5 hours, calling the interface "alpha-phase quality," while acknowledging interesting new mechanics are overshadowed by the poor user experience. They concluded that months of refinement are needed to make the game enjoyable.

The $70 price point is a recurring point of contention, with many reviewers believing it doesn't reflect the game's current state. The consensus is that Civilization VII was released too early and requires substantial improvements.

Fans remain hopeful that Firaxis will address the criticisms through updates, restoring the series' reputation for quality and detail. While the Civilization franchise is renowned for its polished gameplay, Civilization VII, in its current form, falls significantly short of expectations.