Civilization 7 Steam Launch Plagued by Criticism

Sid Meier's Civilization VII: A Disappointing Debut

Many Firaxis fans eagerly awaited the next installment in the Civilization franchise, only to be met with overwhelmingly negative Steam reviews following Civilization VII's release. Players are expressing significant dissatisfaction with the game's current state, citing a poorly designed interface, outdated graphics, and a general feeling of incompleteness.

At the time of writing, the game boasts over 1,000 reviews, resulting in a dismal 37% approval rating.

One user, Cool CGI Dog, after a mere 1.5 hours of gameplay, voiced their frustration: "The game feels incredibly unfinished, especially for a Civ title. The resource icons look like they're from 1998, the interface is atrocious, and the overall presentation is sloppy. There's a clear lack of polish that's shocking from Firaxis. Civ VI is worlds ahead of this incomplete mess. At minimum, Civ VII needs a complete UI overhaul to justify its exorbitant $70 price tag. This feels like a personal insult."

Another player, WillNever, echoed these sentiments after 2.5 hours, stating: "The interface looks and feels like an alpha build, untouched since. While the new mechanics are interesting, navigating this awful UI isn't worth the effort. Months of refinement are needed to make this game enjoyable."

The consensus among reviewers is that the game launched prematurely and desperately needs substantial improvements. The $70 price point is particularly under fire, considered unjustified given the current product quality.

Civilization fans are hopeful that Firaxis will address the critical feedback with substantial updates, restoring the game to the high standards expected of the series. The Civilization franchise has always been synonymous with quality and attention to detail; players are hoping the seventh installment will eventually live up to that legacy, but its current state falls far short.