‘I don’t know if it can be saved’ — Civilization 7 is in trouble as it drops to a Mostly Negative rating on Steam

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In simpler terms, the most recent 4X turn-based strategy game from Firaxis Games, titled Civilization VII, has reached a new low approximately four months following its official release on February 11, 2025.

I’d like to discuss the current standing of this game on Steam, as its recent review score – based on feedback within the last month – has fallen to “Overwhelmingly Negative,” with over 1,300 reviews submitted.

Although the game currently holds a mixed review average based on over 32,000 assessments, it seems to be leaning increasingly towards negative feedback.

Since its debut, Civilization VII has undergone multiple substantial upgrades, with the latest one (Version 1.2.1) rolled out on May 27, introducing new map options, Steam Workshop compatibility, various adjustments to game balance, and several user interface/quality of life enhancements.

It doesn’t appear to have improved the user review score.

Why are players so upset about Civilization VII?

I don’t think the situation with Civilization 7 right now can be categorized as typical “review bombing” that often occurs with popular games. Upon reviewing player feedback, there seems to be a considerable amount of legitimate concerns expressed.

At the game’s debut, I shared my thoughts on Civilization 7 after spending approximately 40 hours in advance playing it. My review was decidedly favorable and highlighted my delight as I explored the novel mechanics within a universe that distinctively echoed the essence of Civ.

Despite its positive aspects, I jotted down several criticisms about the game as well. For instance, I found the frequent release of paid DLCs quite bothersome, missed the inclusion of an Information Era, and noticed that the new Age mechanic sometimes made matches appear unrefined and chaotic.

It appears that issue from the previous discussion is causing significant trouble for gamers. A player who’s logged over 263 hours of gameplay has voiced their concern about it.

In essence, given that it wasn’t a Civilization title and I didn’t grow up playing Civ games, I likely would have quit this game quite early.

Steam user “David Blank”

Another user with 748 hours played at the time of the review remarks:

To put it plainly, the game is extremely underwhelming, and I’m unsure if it can be salvaged in any way. The transition theme of The Age feels unappealing at best. I find the thought of traversing The Exploration Age, let alone reaching the Modern Age, excruciating. It’s a painful experience. The Antiquity Age is tolerable but doesn’t last long enough, and being under time pressure often forces you into repetitive and tedious gameplay.

Steam user “stmac74”

Not only do some recent reviews have positive feedback, but a player who had spent over 267 hours on the game at the time of their review shares their thoughts:

Without a doubt, visually speaking, Civilization VII stands out as the most impressive iteration within the Civilization series. There have been significant advancements compared to previous games, noticeably reducing micromanagement strain. Many, though not all, of the core modifications in Civilization VII are groundbreaking enhancements for the franchise.

Steam user “Legskindal”

How did this happen to a game series that’s been around since 1991?

As an analyst, I must admit that I underestimated the daring move Firaxis Games made with Civilization 7. They significantly overhauled several fundamental mechanisms that seasoned Civ players have grown accustomed to, demonstrating a bold and innovative approach.

In newer Civilization games, there’s a fresh start or reset point for both the map and your units at certain stages, shortening some prolonged matches that were common in older versions. This reboot feature also allows you to quickly adjust your strategy if your previous approach wasn’t successful during earlier stages of the game.

Among the significant enhancements in Civilization 7 lies in its streamlined approach to minimize micromanagement, particularly during the late stages of gameplay when battles ensue. What I admire about this game is its focus on strategic elements such as map placement and resource management.

Over the past 34 years, Civilization has amassed a dedicated fanbase, leading me to anticipate resistance to the game’s innovative features. Instead, what surprised me was seeing a relatively low rating, especially given that it was released only a few months ago.

Civilization VII’s player count is cratering

2025 finds me reminiscing about the timeless appeal of both Civilization 6 and its predecessor, Civilization 5. However, it seems that an increasing number of fellow enthusiasts have found themselves migrating away from Civilization 6, perhaps seeking a fresh challenge or revisiting old favorites.

According to SteamDB, they provide statistics regarding the number of PC players, and although this only represents a fraction of the total player population, I find it hard to believe that the decline isn’t observed across other gaming platforms as well.

Currently, as I type this, Civilization 7 boasts 6,368 active players on PC. The highest number of concurrent players within the past 24 hours was 8,679, a significant decrease compared to the 84,558 peak seen at its launch.

As an analyst, I find it fascinating to compare the player numbers for Civilization 6 and Civilization 5. At this moment, there are approximately 32,046 gamers engaged in Civilization 6 on PC. On the other hand, Civilization 5, which was launched 15 years ago, still boasts an impressive 12,429 players on PC.

Both Civilization 5 and 6 offer an abundance of content due to numerous expansion packs, which might influence their ratings. But, the significant difference in player preference makes it challenging to attribute this gap in a straightforward manner.

Civilization 7 seems to be in big trouble, and I don’t know if its upcoming DLCs can save it.

What are your thoughts about Civilization 7? Are you finding the updated gameplay enjoyable? Have you joined the thousands who are currently playing it on Steam today? Share your opinions in the comments section below!

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2025-06-03 16:39