Civilization VII received generally positive reviews from critics a month ago, but user feedback on Steam and Metacritic was mixed at first. However, developer Firaxis has since released several patches and is planning more updates.
In the Civilization community, there’s a consensus that the game’s core mechanics are solid, and most changes to the classic formula have been well-received. The new distinct ages system, anachronistic leader/civilization combinations, and removal of worker units were expected to be contentious, but they haven’t been major sources of controversy.
Executive producer Dennis Shirk spoke with us about the game’s launch, its evolution since then, and future plans. Shirk notes that Civilization VII breaks with tradition in several ways, but this shift has taken the franchise in a new direction, incorporating ideas from other titles while addressing long-standing issues.
For those who prefer a more traditional experience, Firaxis assures fans that they can revert to earlier games like Civilization V, IV, or II. With its re-playability and polish, there’s no need to stick with a sequel. The game is still evolving, but it seems to be heading in the right direction.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/03/civilization-vii-one-month-later-the-community-and-developers-chime-in