Fans are smashing Civilization 7 on Steam: The game is being heavily criticized

Sid Meier's Civilization VII: A Disappointing Debut

Many Firaxis fans eagerly awaited the next installment in the Civilization franchise. However, Civilization VII's Steam launch has been met with overwhelmingly negative feedback. Players are voicing strong concerns about a subpar user interface, outdated graphics, and a general feeling of incompleteness.

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

One 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 everything feels incredibly rushed. There's a distinct lack of polish, which is shocking from Firaxis. Civ VI's release is a stark contrast to this incomplete mess. At the very least, 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, completely untouched since. While the new mechanics are interesting, they're overshadowed by the terrible interface. 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 state of the product.

Series fans remain 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 attention to detail, and players anticipate that Civilization VII will eventually live up to that legacy, but its current state falls far short.