Civ 7 Steam Version Suffers Deluge of Negative Reviews as Advanced Access Releases

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 storm of negative player feedback, resulting in a "Mostly Negative" overall rating on the platform. This contrasts sharply with the high anticipation surrounding the game's release, the first in the series 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's, describing it as "janky," "ugly," and even comparing it unfavorably to free mobile games. Concerns have been raised that Firaxis Games prioritized console development, resulting in a limited and unpolished UI experience for PC players.

Maps and Customization: The map system has also drawn considerable criticism. Players cite issues with map selection, limited map size options (only small, medium, and large, compared to Civ VI's five sizes), and a lack of customization. The lack of detailed information when browsing map types has also been highlighted.

Resource Mechanics: The revised resource mechanics, shifting from direct tile-based gathering (as in Civ VI) to city/empire-wide strategic management, have been met with disapproval. 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 maps and other aspects of the game will evolve through future updates and expansions. The developer's response, however, has done little to quell the negative sentiment surrounding the game's current state.