On 11th February 2025, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII (Civ VII) was released in stores, with the intention of shaking up the 4X strategy genre. Three months later, the game has sparked wide-ranging debates in the gaming world and among critics. With its promise to allow one to construct grand empires, Civ VII made sweeping changes, such as leaderless leaders and a three-age system. Its journey, however, has been one of triumph and challenges.
As a Civilization franchise fan, I can testify that the community can be hard to please. With every new installment in the franchise, the community has a hard time accepting the changes. At least for a while…
Critical Praise and Players’ Criticisms For Civ II
The reviewers have praised Civ VII, providing it with good reviews. Approximately 77% of the reviewers are suggesting the game, complimenting its colors, immersive sound effects, and revamped diplomacy system. The aspect of being able to pair unique leaders, e.g., philosophers or scientists, with civilizations offers strategic depth. Players are more polarized, however.
Only 48% of the reviews are positive, with criticism aimed at a clunky interface, dumbed-down mechanics compared to past titles, and an excessively restrictive three-age system. The cap on the current age in the 1960s has also annoyed some, though future expansions are set to address this.
Can Manor Lords Dethrone Civ VII?
Meanwhile, Manor Lords, a medieval strategy game that launched in April 2024, is gaining momentum. Whereas Civ VII zooms out on history, Manor Lords is all about deep city-building within a single town. Its high-maintenance factor has been especially praised, and it’s an add-on experience for strategy fans. Others play it as a respite from the type, drawn to its rich resource management and strategic warfare. This contrast highlights the diverse appeal of strategy games in 2025.
Sales Success In Spite Of Retention Problems
Civ VII, in spite of player dissension, has sold well. It is the 8th best-selling game of 2025 and the franchise’s highest pre-ordering game, showing strong expectations. On console systems like Nintendo Switch, it is a big percentage of sales, outpacing PC and Xbox.
However, player retention is less than that of earlier games in the series. Months after release, Civ VII had fewer active users than its predecessors, and discussions emerged questioning its long-term popularity. Nevertheless, its sales data indicate a mass audience, especially among console users.
Developer Reaction and Game Patches For Civ VII
Firaxis Games has been actively responding to feedback, releasing patches to improve Civ VII. Some of the most critical updates are:
- February 7, 2025: Stability patches and Mac bug fix.
- February 12, 2025: Alerting for enemy attacks when playing in single-player mode.
- April 22, 2025: All ten new resources, including mangoes and rubies, and randomized resource generation.
A March console patch fixed Xbox and PS5 crashes, with developers promising work remains ongoing. Future expansions, including new leaders and civilizations, will expand the scope of the game and address player concerns.
Strategy Giants Compared
Interesting as it is, Manor Lords offers a counter to the Civ VII grand narrative. Whereas Civ VII unfolds over centuries, Manor Lords descends to medieval times and takes care to play with resource chains and tactical combat. Very well-received by players, it is a genre standout. For those tired of the broader perspective of Civ VII, Manor Lords provides an intensified alternative, illustrating the breadth of strategy gaming in 2025.
Community Dynamics and Future Prospects of Civ VII
The Civ VII fan base continues to be busy, with forums full of recommendations. Players demand a photo mode to take in the game’s beautiful graphics, while others demand more in-depth mechanics. Developers have teased quality-of-life changes and UI adjustments.
A future expansion could include a fourth era, perhaps responding to concerns regarding the historical scope of the game. The VR version, designed for Meta Quest 3, has also generated interest, presenting a new view.
A Work in Progress with Potential
Three months post-launch, Civ VII stands at a crossroads. Its commercial success and critical praise highlight its appeal, yet player critiques point to areas for improvement. Firaxis’s responsiveness, shown through frequent updates, suggests a commitment to meeting fan expectations.
In a year where Manor Lords has carved a niche with its medieval charm, Civ VII’s broader ambitions face scrutiny but hold promise. Though improved by as-yet unreleased updates and expanded on by expansions, Civ VII could yet become a strategy behemoth.