Civilization 7's Steam launch has garnered mixed user reviews, but Take-Two's CEO remains optimistic. While hardcore fans, who gained early access, have voiced concerns about the UI, limited map variety, and missing features, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick believes their opinions will shift positively with continued gameplay.

The game currently boasts a Metacritic score of 81 and numerous reviews exceeding 90. Zelnick acknowledges negative feedback, including a harsh Eurogamer review, but points to the series' history of initially polarizing its dedicated fanbase before ultimately winning them over. He highlights the game's ambitious design, pushing boundaries beyond previous iterations.

Firaxis is actively addressing player feedback, promising UI improvements, the addition of multiplayer teams, and increased map diversity. Zelnick emphasizes that the early access release isn't flawless but shows considerable promise and that the identified issues are manageable.

Zelnick attributes the initial apprehension to significant gameplay changes. Civilization 7 introduces a novel three-age campaign structure (Antiquity, Exploration, Modern) with simultaneous Age Transitions for all players. These transitions involve selecting a new civilization, choosing retained Legacies, and witnessing world evolution—a completely new mechanic for the series.

Despite Zelnick's confidence, Firaxis faces the challenge of improving player sentiment, particularly on Steam. The platform's user review rating is vital for visibility and overall success, directly impacting the game's reach and discoverability.