Civilization VII

{{Infobox video game

| title = Civilization VII

| image = Civilization VII cover.png

| caption =

| publisher = 2K

| engine =

| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|Windows|macOS|Linux|Nintendo Switch|PlayStation 4|PlayStation 5|Xbox One|Xbox Series X/S|Nintendo Switch 2}}

| release = February 11, 2025
Switch 2
June 5, 2025

| genre = Turn-based strategy, 4X

| modes = Single-player, multiplayer

| designer =

| artist =

| composer = Geoff Knorr, Roland Rizzo, Christopher Tin

}}

Sid Meier's Civilization VII is a 4X turn-based strategy video game developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K. The game was released on February 11, 2025, for Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. It was also released on June 5, 2025, for Nintendo Switch 2.

Gameplay

Civilization VII is a 4X turn-based strategy game. The player oversees the growth of a human civilization from its earliest settlements to advanced society. The player uses various military and civilian units to explore the map, grow their civilization through the founding of additional settlements, advance their civilization's culture and technology, utilize surrounding resources, and contend or collaborate with competing civilizations. Multiple victory conditions are available to the player, including military, scientific, cultural, and economic avenues.

Civilization VII allows the player to select leaders and civilizations independently, with civilizations favoring leaders with certain attributes.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/24224489/civilization-7-hands-on-demo-impressions-firaxis-games |title=Civilization 7 lets you mix and match history — and it's a blast |date=August 20, 2024 |last=Parrish |first=Ash |work=The Verge |access-date=August 20, 2024}} The criteria for what constitutes a "leader" have also been updated, now including philosophers, religious figures, and scientists who were not heads of state. The historical era system is simplified into the antiquity, exploration, and modern ages, in comparison to the further divisions implemented by the game's predecessors. During all ages, independent factions—deliberately labeled to prevent perceived negative connotations of the term "barbarian" used in previous games in the series—emerge. Depending on how the player chooses to interact with them, these may evolve to become city states.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/article/2024/aug/20/civilization-7-history-firaxis-games-civilization-6 |title=A new age begins: Civilization 7 captures the chaos of human history in manageable doses |date=August 20, 2024 |last=Benson |first=Julian |work=The Guardian |access-date=August 20, 2024}} Towards the end of the antiquity and exploration ages, players are faced with "crisis events" which simulate societal disruption and civilization downfall.{{Cite web |last=Wilde |first=Tyler |date=August 20, 2024 |title=Civilization 7 hands-on: Huge changes are coming to the classic strategy series |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/strategy/civilization-7-hands-on-huge-changes-are-coming-to-the-classic-strategy-series/ |access-date=August 21, 2024 |website=PC Gamer}} Upon the conclusion of these ages, the player must choose a new civilization with which to begin the next age.

Development

In February 2023, Firaxis Games announced it was developing a sequel to Civilization VI (2016).{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/next-civilization-game-officially-announced-by-firaxis |title=Next Civilization Game Officially Announced by Firaxis |date=February 17, 2023 |last=Dinsdale |first=Ryan |work=IGN |access-date=June 7, 2024}} PCGamesN reported in August 2021 that Firaxis had posted a job opening for a narrative lead for the game.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/civilization-vii/narrative-lead-job-posting |title=It sure looks like Civilization 7 is getting underway at Firaxis |date=August 13, 2021 |last=Boudreau |first=Ian |work=PCGamesN |access-date=June 7, 2024}} Gwendoline Christie narrates the game's voiceovers.{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=August 21, 2024 |title=Civilization 7 In-Game Narrator Revealed — and the Game of Thrones Line of Succession Continues |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/civilization-7-in-game-narrator-revealed-and-the-game-of-thrones-line-of-succession-continues |access-date=August 21, 2021 |website=IGN}}

Firaxis Games collaborated with members of the Shawnee Tribe, including Shawnee chief Benjamin Barnes, to create a historically accurate depiction of Tecumseh in the game. Tecumseh is voiced by Dean Dillon, a Shawnee voice actor. As part of the partnership between Firaxis Games and the Shawnee Tribe, Firaxis and 2K donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to programs working to revitalize the Shawnee language.{{Cite web |last1=Brewer |first1=Graham Lee |last2=O'Brien |first2=Matt |date=October 4, 2024 |title=Civilization 7 makers work with Shawnee to bring sincere representation of the tribe to the game |url=https://apnews.com/article/civ7-shawnee-tecumseh-firaxis-civilization-32ca02931e9cdeb024a9a0abb7081d2a |access-date=October 4, 2024 |website=AP News |language=en}}

Civilization VII{{'}}s opening cinematic "Rediscover Hope" and theme song "Live Gloriously" were revealed at the 2024 Game Awards. "Live Gloriously" is written by American composer Christopher Tin, who also composed the Grammy Award-winning song "Baba Yetu", the main theme of Civilization IV, as well as Civilization VI's main theme "Sogno di Volare". The song's lyrics are derived from four ancient poems—the Iliad, Beowulf, Popol Vuh, and Ramayana—which are sung in their languages as originally written.{{cite web|url=https://readwrite.com/want-to-spoil-the-start-of-civilization-vii-before-launch-watch-the-games-opening-cinematic-to-get-yourself-in-the-mood/|title=Want to spoil the start of Civilization VII before launch? Watch the game's opening cinematic to get yourself in the mood|website=ReadWrite|first=Paul|last=McNally|date=December 13, 2024|accessdate=December 15, 2024}} The game's original score was composed, arranged, and produced by Geoff Knorr and Roland Rizzo.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I297Wh95uY|title=Sid Meier's Civilization VII - Original Game Soundtrack

|date=February 25, 2025|accessdate=March 6, 2025}} It features performances by ensembles and musicians from around the world, including the FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague, Mongolian State Morin Khuur Ensemble, Ensemble I Fedeli, Southern Pine Drum Group, Wong Pleng Khmer, among many soloists.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/sid-meiers-civilization-vii-original-game-soundtrack/1791534011|title=Sid Meier's Civilization VII (Original Game Soundtrack)

|date=February 11, 2025|accessdate=March 6, 2025}}

=Release=

Civilization VII was announced at the Summer Game Fest on June 7, 2024.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/24173575/civilization-7-summer-game-fest-2k-firaxis-trailer |title=Civilization 7 is launching in 2025 |date=June 7, 2024 |last=Webster |first=Andrew |work=The Verge |access-date=June 7, 2024}} 2K previously announced it would appear at Summer Game Fest in May to reveal the "next iteration in one of its biggest and most beloved franchises".{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2k-games-teases-sequel-reveal-summer-game-fest-bioshock-borderlands |title=2K Games Will Reveal Sequel to One of Its 'Biggest and Most Beloved Franchises' at Summer Game Fest |date=May 16, 2024 |last=Bailey |first=Kat |work=IGN |access-date=June 7, 2024}} Hours before the presentation, the game was unintentionally announced on 4K's website.{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/civilization-7-leaks-via-2k-games-website |title=Civilization 7 Leaks via 2K Games Website |date=June 7, 2024 |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |work=IGN |access-date=June 7, 2024}} Civilization VII was released for Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Steam Deck, and Xbox Series X/S{{Cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/24173863/civilization-7-trailer-release-date-firaxis |title=Civilization 7 announced, coming in 2025 |date=June 7, 2024 |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |work=Polygon |access-date=June 7, 2024}} on February 11, 2025.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/20/24224532/civilization-7-release-date-february-2025 |title=Civilization 7 launches in February |date=August 20, 2024 |last=Parrish |first=Ash |work=The Verge |access-date=August 20, 2024}}{{Cite web |date=2025-01-09 |title=Sid Meier's Civilization 7 Gets Steam Deck Verified Ahead of Release - Steam Deck HQ |url=https://steamdeckhq.com/news/sid-meiers-civilization-7-steam-deck-verified/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=steamdeckhq.com |language=en-US}} It was also released for the Nintendo Switch 2 as a launch title on June 5, 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/nintendo/638604/nintendo-switch-2-direct-news-trailers-stream|title=Everything revealed during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct|first=Ash|last=Parrish|work=The Verge|date=April 2, 2025|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}

A virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) version of Civilization VII is planned for launch in early 2025 for the Meta Quest 3 and 3S. This version was developed by PlaySide Studios.{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/firaxis-makes-surprise-sid-meiers-civilization-7-vr-announcement | title = Firaxis Makes Surprise Sid Meier's Civilization 7 - VR Announcement | first = Wesley | last = Lin-Poole | date = February 8, 2025 | accessdate = February 8, 2025 | work = IGN }}

Due to feedback during the early access stage, on February 10, 2025, Firaxis Games released Patch 1.0.1 for Civilization VII, which included improvements to the user interface and tooltips. The update also introduced minor rebalancing for certain civilizations, ensuring a more streamlined gameplay experience.{{Cite news |last1=Livingston |first1=Christopher |date=2025-02-12 |title=Civilization 7 patch 1.0.1 addresses 'key areas of player-reported issues' including UI and tooltip improvements |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/strategy/civilization-7-patch-1-0-1-addresses-key-areas-of-player-reported-issues-including-ui-and-tooltip-improvements/ |access-date=2025-02-12 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}

Reception

{{Video game reviews

| MC = {{abbr|Win|Windows}}: 79/100{{Cite web |title=Sid Meier's Civilization VII (PC Critic Reviews) |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sid-meiers-civilization-vii/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |access-date=February 3, 2025 |website=Metacritic}}

| OC = 76% recommend{{Cite web |title=Sid Meier's Civilization VII Reviews |url=https://opencritic.com/game/17742/sid-meiers-civilization-vii |access-date=February 3, 2025 |website=OpenCritic|date=3 February 2025 }}

| Destruct = 9/10{{Cite web |last=Mills |first=Steven |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Review: Sid Meier's Civilization VII |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-sid-meiers-civilization-vii/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |website=Destructoid}}

| DT = 4/5{{Cite web |last=Franzese |first=Tomas |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Sid Meier's Civilization VII review: a new age for a classic series |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/civilization-vii-review-pc/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |website=Digital Trends}}

| GSpot = 8/10{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Jason |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Sid Meier's Civilization VII Review — A Fine But Flawed Foundation |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sid-meiers-civilization-vii-review/1900-6418332/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |website=GameSpot}}

| GRadar = 4/5{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Andrew |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Civilization 7 review: "A revolutionary strategy game that cements the series' legendary status" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/strategy/civilization-7-review/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |website=GamesRadar+}}

| IGN = 7/10{{Cite web |last=Hafer |first=Leana |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Civilization 7 Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/civilization-7-review |access-date=February 3, 2025 |website=IGN}}

| PCGN = 7/10{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Ed |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Civilization 7 solves dozens of the series' worst problems, but even Firaxis can't totally fix the bloated 4X genre |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/civilization-vii/review |access-date=February 3, 2025 |website=PCGamesN}}

| SN = 9/10{{Cite web |last=Lavoy |first=Bill |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Sid Meier's Civilization 7 review: That's my river |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/142947/civ-7-review-score |access-date=February 3, 2025 |website=Shacknews}}

| TR = 4/5{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Dashiell |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Sid Meier's Civilization 7 is a gripping turn-based strategy title that completely annihilated my sleep routine |url=https://www.techradar.com/gaming/sid-meiers-civilization-7-review |access-date=February 3, 2025 |website=TechRadar}}

| TG = 5/5{{Cite web |last=Stuart |first=Keith |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Civilization VII review — your empire strikes back in glorious new detail |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2025/feb/03/civilization-vii-review-your-empire-strikes-back-in-glorious-new-detail |access-date=February 3, 2025 |website=The Guardian}}

| VGC = 5/5{{Cite web |last=Middler |first=Jordan |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Civilization 7 Review |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/civilization-7-review/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |website=Video Games Chronicle}}

| VG247 = 4/5{{Cite web |last=Donaldson |first=Alex |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Civilization 7 review |url=https://www.vg247.com/civilization-7-review |access-date=February 3, 2025 |website=VG247}}

}}

Civilization VII received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to the review aggregator website Metacritic. OpenCritic determined that 76% of critics recommended the game.

The game's visuals and sounds, diplomacy system overhaul, and choice to untether leaders from civilizations were mostly praised. However, many critics found the UI lacking, the mechanics oversimplified, and the three ages system divisive. Other points of criticism included the perceived premature end of the technology tree and the overreliance on DLC to fix or add lacking features.

Player reviews were less positive, with Civilization VII receiving Mixed reviews on Steam from advanced access players shortly before its full release.{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=2025-02-07 |title=Civ 7 team responds to mixed player reviews, promises fixes to UI and more |url=https://www.polygon.com/news/520793/civilization-7-firaxis-responds-mixed-reviews |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Evans-Thirlwell |first=Edwin |date=2025-02-11 |title=Civilization 7 launches to mixed early player verdicts alongside a patch for the UI, AI and camera |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/civilization-7-launches-to-mixed-early-player-verdicts-alongside-patches-for-the-ui-ai-and-camera |access-date=2025-03-02 |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |language=en}} Months after the game's release, Civilization VII maintained a Mixed rating on Steam, with only 48% of players recommending the game,{{Cite news |last=Guner |first=Ediz |date=2025-05-06 |title=Civilization 7 Delaying the Right to Rule DLC May Be a Blessing in Disguise |url=https://gamerant.com/civilization-7-right-to-rule-dlc-delay-good-why/ |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=GameRant |language=en-US}} and the two previous entries of the series still surpassing Civilization VII in active players.{{Cite web |last=Coleman |first=Jack |date=2025-03-19 |title=Civilization 7's Active Player Count Drops Below Civilization 5's Just Weeks After Release |url=https://www.thegamer.com/civilization-7-less-players-than-civilization-5/ |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US}}{{clear}}

Civilization VII

Gameplay

Development

=Release=

Reception

References

Further reading

External links