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Civilization 7 Faces Backlash on Steam

Author:Kristen Update:Feb 20,2025

Civilization 7 Faces Backlash on Steam

Sid Meier's Civilization VII: A Disappointing Launch?

Many Firaxis fans eagerly awaited the next installment in the Civilization franchise. However, Civilization VII's Steam launch has been met with overwhelmingly negative feedback. Players are voicing significant concerns regarding the game's user interface, outdated graphics, and overall feeling of incompletion.

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

User Cool CGI Dog, after a mere 1.5 hours of gameplay, expressed profound disappointment:

"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 incredibly sloppy. There's a clear lack of polish, which is shocking from Firaxis. Civ VI is worlds apart from this incomplete mess. At the very least, Civ VII's interface needs a complete overhaul to justify its exorbitant $70 price tag. This feels like a personal insult."

Another player, WillNever, echoed these sentiments after 2.5 hours:

"The interface looks and feels like an alpha build. While the new mechanics are interesting, navigating this awful UI is a frustrating experience. Months of refinement are needed to make this game enjoyable."

The prevailing opinion among reviewers is that the game launched prematurely and requires substantial improvements. The $70 price point is particularly under fire, deemed disproportionate to the current state of the product.

Civilization fans remain hopeful that Firaxis will address the criticism through future updates, restoring the series' renowned quality and attention to detail. The current iteration, however, falls far short of expectations. The Civilization series has a legacy of excellence, and players anticipate that Civilization VII will eventually live up to that legacy, but significant changes are needed.