Sid Meier's Civilization VII: A Disappointing Debut

Many Firaxis fans eagerly awaited the next installment in the Civilization series. However, Civilization VII's Steam launch has been met with overwhelmingly negative feedback. Players are voicing strong criticism regarding the game's underdeveloped interface, dated graphics, and overall feeling of incompletion.

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

User Cool CGI Dog, after a mere 1.5 hours of gameplay, expressed their 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 sloppy. There's a clear lack of polish, which is shocking from Firaxis. Civ VI's release is worlds apart from this incomplete mess. At minimum, 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, untouched since its initial creation. While the new mechanics are interesting, they're overshadowed by the terrible user experience. Months of refinement are needed to make this game enjoyable.

The consensus among reviewers is that the game launched prematurely and requires substantial improvements. The $70 price point is particularly contentious, deemed unjustified by the current product quality.

Series fans are hopeful that Firaxis will address the criticism through updates, restoring the game to the high standards expected of the Civilization franchise. The series' legacy is built on quality and meticulous detail; players expect the seventh installment to eventually live up to that legacy, but its current state falls far short.