Civilization VII's Early Access Launch Receives Overwhelmingly Negative Steam Reviews

Civilization VII (Civ 7), released five days early via Steam's Advanced Access, has been met with a deluge of negative player feedback, resulting in a "mostly negative" overall rating on the platform. This is despite high anticipation for the game, the first main installment since Civ VI in 2016.

The primary criticisms center around several key areas:

User Interface (UI): Many players find the UI significantly inferior to Civ VI, describing it as "janky," "ugly," and even comparing it to a "free mobile knockoff." Concerns have been raised that Firaxis Games prioritized console development, resulting in a limited and unpolished UI experience for PC players.

Maps and Map Customization: Players are unhappy with the map selection process, limited map size options (only small, medium, and large, compared to Civ VI's five sizes), and lack of customization. The lack of detailed map information during selection is also a recurring complaint.

Resource Mechanics: The new resource system, which assigns resources to cities or empires through strategic management rather than direct tile acquisition, is a major point of contention. Players argue that the previous system offered greater replayability.

Firaxis Games has acknowledged the negative feedback, particularly regarding the UI, and assures players that improvements are underway. They also indicate that future updates and expansions will address map-related concerns. However, the overwhelmingly negative initial reception raises significant questions about the game's current state.