The launch of Sid Meier's Civilization 7 has been met with significant backlash from the gaming community, who feel the game resembles more of a beta test than a finished product. Priced at a premium of $100, this sentiment has fueled frustration among players due to the multitude of issues they've encountered.

The criticism goes beyond technical glitches, touching on gameplay mechanics, design flaws, and unpolished features. The tipping point for many came when the developers admitted that certain game elements were still in development, intensifying the dissatisfaction among players.

A notable point of contention was the so-called "unique" British unit. Instead of the advertised distinct model, players found it to be a generic version indistinguishable from standard units. The developers have since promised an update to introduce a proper redesign, but this has done little to placate the community.

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This incident underscored broader concerns about the game's readiness for launch. As a result, some potential buyers have opted to delay their purchase of Civilization 7 until the issues are resolved, feeling vindicated in their decision to wait.

On Steam, Civilization 7 has received "mixed" reviews, highlighting the divide between those who appreciate its foundational concepts and those disappointed by its execution. Although patches are being released to fix bugs and enhance performance, the update frequency has not been sufficient to alleviate player frustrations.

The premium pricing of Civilization 7 has only heightened these frustrations. Players argue that paying $100 for a game with numerous issues feels unjustifiable, especially when it seems more like an early access title than a fully realized product. This has sparked debates about whether games are being rushed to market at the cost of quality.

In response to the criticism, the development team has pledged to release patches aimed at addressing the most critical issues. These updates are designed to improve stability, refine gameplay, and correct visual inconsistencies, such as the British unit controversy. However, skepticism remains among many players, who question whether these efforts will be enough to restore their confidence in the game.