Civilization 7 Review: A New Age of Strategy or a Step Too Far?

Firaxis aims to refine the 4X experience with Civilization 7, introducing a new Age system, revamped diplomacy, and military overhauls. But does the desire for accessibility compromise its strategic depth?

For over three decades, Sid Meier's Civilization has defined the 4X strategy genre. With Civilization 7, Firaxis has introduced radical changes, aiming to make the game more approachable, dynamic, and engaging throughout the entire playthrough. The biggest shift comes with the new Age system, breaking campaigns into distinct historical eras, forcing players to adapt their civilization with each transition.

But has Civilization 7 managed to fix the infamous mid-game bloat that has long plagued the genre? And more importantly, do the streamlined mechanics maintain the strategic depth that Civ fans crave? Let's dive in.

One of the most revolutionary changes in Civ 7 is the Age system, which divides the game into three distinct eras:

At the end of each Age, players must switch civilizations, picking a new nation while carrying over key resources, settlements, and achievements. This system keeps the game dynamic, preventing the classic "snowballing" effect where a dominant player becomes unstoppable.

However, this mechanic isn't without its flaws. The middle Age, Exploration, feels stretched too thin, covering everything from medieval Europe to industrialization. Additionally, the lack of a true late-game era (past 1950) feels like a step backward compared to Civ 6's expansive endgame.

The combat system feels more fluid and strategic, but AI intelligence remains an issue. While the new mechanics are fun, experienced players will still find AI opponents lacking in tactical thinking.

Civ 7 introduces Influence as a core mechanic, a currency that can be spent on:

This new system adds depth to diplomacy, making non-military strategies more viable than ever. However, cultural victory feels underdeveloped, with no tourism system and overreliance on wonder spam to win influence battles.

One of the biggest downsides of Civilization 7 is its clunky UI and lack of tooltips. Players must constantly search the Civilopedia to understand units, buildings, and effects.

For a game this complex, the failure to provide sufficient tooltips and clear information is a major letdown.

Despite its mechanical shortcomings, Civilization 7 excels in presentation.

However, some visual choices—like the map fog resembling a plastic board game—are divisive among longtime fans.

Civilization 7 is an ambitious entry that introduces bold innovations but also struggles with oversimplification. The Age system, military upgrades, and Influence mechanics breathe new life into the series, yet UI frustrations, AI weaknesses, and a reduced late-game experience hold it back.

Civ 7 streamlines many mechanics, but at the cost of some depth and customization. Warfare and diplomacy have improved, but UI and late-game feel weaker.

Given the series' history, Firaxis will likely release DLCs addressing missing content like futuristic technology, more civilizations, and expanded cultural victories.