Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is a Simulation of a Civ Game

Don’t buy it!

Dear readers, I had the honor to play Civilization VII for the past three nights, and I am sorely disappointed. The game feels like a simulation of a Civilization game rather than a real Civ…

The game introduces a new mechanic of changing ages. And with an age you change a civilization. So, I was playing in the ancient age, as the Romans, led by Harriet Tubman. 😆 And suddenly, I managed to make it to the exploration age, where I chose the Spanish.

One moment in the game I had Roman legions, suddenly the scenery changed, and I had Spanish tercios armed with muskets and halberds. I was literally transported from 1 AD to the 1500. I have nothing against the idea of ages, and changing of civilization. But I expected the change to be gradual, I expected to be faced with a crisis. I expected my old age units to be retained and I would have to spend money to upgrade them. Upgrading units as in other Civ games seems not implemented. You cannot upgrade early game warriors to legionnaires.

Also, units don’t seem to be linked to resources. I must say I was spamming legions like there was no tomorrow. I have not researched gunpowder or developed related resources but I had a number of tercios. So I gathered them and went on to conquer a city. The musket and halberd armed tercios were weak against a swordsman. Luckily I took the city because I overwhelmed my opponent with units. Yesterday I tried to take one of those neutral settlements and I walked in and did not take it over.

In this game you kinda never know if you are doing something wrong or the game is glitched. The game held rather steady, I did not experience any crashes but I had several animation glitches when units are attacking.

Overall, I must say I am glad I did not pay for it, and played it from my relative’s Steam library. I have actually bought only two games recently, that is Space Marine II and Baldur’s Gate III. I will not be turning Civ VII on for now. Maybe if they get to work and present a very different game several months from now, I might give it a go.