Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Review

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII continues the legacy of the renowned strategy simulation franchise, embodying the essence of world-building and strategic dominance. Developed by 2K Games and Firaxis Games, this latest installment stays true to its roots, offering an expansive experience where players guide their civilization from antiquity to the modern era.

Through military strength, scientific advancements, cultural influence, or economic prowess, leaders must navigate the complexities of global supremacy while shaping the destiny of their nation. Whether forging alliances, waging wars, or fostering innovation, every decision shapes the course of history.

How would you lead your people? Take up the reins of your nation, world leader, and hold court on the world stage in Sid Meier’s Civilization VII!

From Humble Beginnings…

As a lapsed player, I noticed that Civilization VII offers a smoother onboarding experience compared to previous installments. Where earlier titles often presented steep learning curves, this latest game strikes a balance between accessibility and complexity, making it easier for players to get acquainted at a faster pace while simultaneously providing advanced scenarios for experienced players.

The game has evolved significantly as players focus on exploring and expanding their empire across a large interactive board. Victory is no longer solely dependent on military conquest or scientific advancements—players can now dominate through economic strength or cultural influence, proving that success doesn’t require eliminating opponents through sheer force.

Maintaining balance is crucial to long-term success in Civilization VII. Overcommitting to one aspect can leave vulnerabilities that rivals may exploit. Excessive focus on military or economic production can negatively impact citizens’ happiness, potentially leading to revolts, while neglecting scientific progress can result in short-sighted victories that leave an empire struggling to compete in the long run. Civilization VII encourages strategic adaptability, reinforcing the importance of thoughtful decision-making to secure global supremacy.

In Civilization VII, gameplay unfolds across three key Ages: the Antiquity Age lays the foundation, where players establish cities and begin expanding; the Exploration Age introduces territorial expansion alongside creating trade networks and finding opportunities for diplomacy; and the Modern Age, which features industrialization and breakthroughs. Each Age brings unique challenges, leaders, and mechanics, ensuring a dynamic experience that evolves with history.

For returning players, starting in the Antiquity Age provides a smoother reintroduction to Civilization VII without the overwhelming complexity of the Modern Times. The era includes a structured tutorial to guide players through the mechanics, and customizable game settings ensure an experience tailored to individual play styles. With no strict right or wrong approach, players can dictate their path to supremacy.

Leader selection offers a diverse range of figures, from historically renowned personalities to lesser-known yet influential figures who have shaped their nations. A particularly notable addition is the Philippines’ own Jose Rizal, whose inclusion brings fresh representation to the franchise. Unlike previous installments, leaders are not confined to their respective nations, as geographic templates allow them to adapt to different play styles—an approach that may divide history enthusiasts but adds an intriguing strategic element for others.

Each leader carries unique advantages, influencing gameplay direction and strategy. For instance, Rizal excels in diplomacy and culture, making him a strong choice for civilizations like the Khmer and Aztecs that thrive on those attributes. These distinct leader abilities not only contribute to individual strategies but also enrich the game’s broader narrative, offering additional bonuses for players who successfully align them with their chosen empire’s goals.

In Civilization VII, strategic planning begins with selecting an optimal settlement location near water sources and valuable resources, building a strong foundation for growth. Movement follows a turn-based system, allowing players to direct units, manage construction queues from their capital, and adjust settings. Each structure or unit requires turns for completion, though players can use gold resources to expedite production for a tactical advantage.

Diplomacy plays a crucial role in interactions with rival civilizations. Influence points can be used to negotiate alliances, support other nations, or strategically undermine adversaries. While cooperation can foster prosperity, leaders must remain vigilant, as rivals may shift their agendas unexpectedly.

As civilizations progress, players can customize their government, civics, and policies to enhance productivity, cultural influence, happiness, and resource management.

…To A World Power In The Grand Stage

Civilization VII offers flexible gameplay options. Players can experience the full campaign, spanning all three Eras, or focus on one or two Eras at a time. This approach provides versatility in playstyle, enabling players to progress at their own pace. As civilizations advance, players can retain their current leader or select a new one to guide their empire, ensuring a dynamic transition between eras.

The game enhances replayability through unlockable mementos tied to each leader’s narrative, encouraging multiple playthroughs with different strategic approaches. With each new Age, civilizations evolve, introducing changes to structures, resources, map dynamics, and legacy bonuses carried over from previous eras. This progression enriches the overarching story of global civilizations, creating a continually shifting gameplay landscape.

While the Antiquity and Exploration Ages follow traditional strategy mechanics, interactions with rival civilizations and barbarians rely on a single influence resource. This limitation can feel restrictive, as players must carefully manage diplomatic negotiations and strategic decisions while navigating the demands of competing nations. Unique tribes introduce alternative diplomatic mechanics, though their progression differs from standard civilizations, adding another layer of complexity to gameplay.

Civilization VII introduces a new dynamic with the addition of cities and towns, creating a distinct progression from previous installments. While cities serve as hubs for unique productions, towns play a more supportive role, allowing players to construct auxiliary structures using gold. Similar to influence points, gold is essential for maintaining various buildings and ensuring sustained growth. Towns also serve as strategic waypoints for territorial expansion, reinforcing an empire’s reach.

As civilizations advance through different Ages, structures have finite lifespans—unless they are considered ageless, they will deteriorate over time. Players can utilize overbuilding to replace decaying structures, ensuring continuous development without losing valuable land. Additionally, resource availability fluctuates across Ages, meaning what once fueled prosperity could later lead to economic instability, forcing players to adapt to evolving conditions.

Military strategy remains a cornerstone of gameplay, with unit stacking enabling players to form powerful legions for defense and warfare. Units can be promoted as they gain strength, unlocking combat benefits that enhance military effectiveness. Each Age introduces unique civilization-specific units, reflecting technological advancements—from early cavalry to modern tanks and war machines—making strategic evolution a thrilling experience. The transition through history is visually and tactically engaging, reinforcing the ever-changing nature of warfare and civilization-building.

Despite its advancements, the Modern Age in Civilization VII lacks the engaging simplicity of earlier eras. As more options are introduced, the world map can quickly become cluttered with stacked buildings from overbuilding and promoted units, making micromanagement increasingly difficult. Without careful oversight, the complexity of managing numerous cities, towns, and military forces can feel overwhelming.

This challenge is further exacerbated by console gameplay, where navigation relies solely on a radial menu, limiting accessibility when handling multiple aspects of an empire. While the Antiquity and Exploration Ages capture much of the charm and strategic depth of previous Civilization titles, the Modern Age often feels more like an obligatory step toward completing the campaign rather than an enjoyable expansion of the experience.

A full three-Age campaign typically lasts between 10 to 12 hours, with gameplay pacing influenced by adjustable settings and the length of each era. However, replayability shines most when revisiting Antiquity and Exploration, where progression feels more intuitive and engaging. The option to conclude the game after the Exploration Age helps mitigate the overwhelming nature of the final stage, providing a more satisfying gameplay loop.

Verdict: Buy It!

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII serves as an excellent entry point for both beginners and returning 4X strategy players, offering an accessible yet deep gameplay experience. The game is designed for easy onboarding, allowing players to quickly pick up mechanics while tailoring the experience to their preferred play style. Whether opting for a shorter, more streamlined session or an extended, immersive campaign, Civilization VII provides flexible gameplay options.

While some endgame pacing issues may slow progression, the game remains a compelling strategy simulator, delivering satisfying gameplay with strong replayability. Players can experiment with various leaders and scenarios, ensuring each session offers fresh challenges and strategic depth.

Whether playing solo or online, Civilization VII introduces thoughtful new mechanics while retaining the franchise’s core appeal. As the series continues to evolve, it presents exciting possibilities for both new and veteran players alike.

*Sid Meier’s Civilization VII was reviewed on a PS5 with a review code provided by the publisher.