Civilization 7 has finally received the long-awaited update that brings the changes fans have been waiting for since release.
What kind of game is this? Over the years, Civilization has built a large fan base, consistently bringing good player numbers on Steam for the strategy series. However, with part 7, there was a significant break.
The developers dared more than just a facelift and incorporated fundamental mechanics in the game, such as switching between civilizations across the various eras. But the community was divided.
While some welcomed the innovations, a large portion of players opposed the new installment and stuck with part 6. This led to the latest release having only about a quarter of the players of its predecessor on a daily basis. Even the 15-year-old part 5 of Civilization had more players at times than the latest installment.
Correspondingly, there was a great need for the developers to get their new installment back on track, but the big update probably isn’t enough.
Here you can see gameplay:
Update attracts disappointed players
What was in the update? Given the significant need for action, the developers decided to move forward and released an update as large as a complete expansion, and it is free for all players.
With Test of Time, they address the major issues of the title, allowing players to keep their civilization now, the win conditions have been revised, and there are systems for optional missions with additional rewards.
The clear message to give the latest installment another chance has been received by the fans. They reward the installment with doubled player numbers. About 16,000 players checked back in, but what they saw did not convince them yet.
How is the update received? Although the developers are clearly addressing the players’ wishes with the new update, it simply isn’t enough for them. Part 7 can’t surpass part 6 even after the update, which is also reflected in the reviews on Steam.
The recent ratings there are only 48% positive, and players are primarily complaining about the lack of a foundation to get something out of the game. For many, it is a regression to the predecessor, and even the new update doesn’t seem to bring enough yet.
- Miggle: “The Test of Time brings significant improvements. But the foundation simply isn’t right. In Civ 6, I may not have finished a game, but here I’ve already stopped after the ancient age.”
- Thorgart: “In contrast to Civ VI, I find Civ VII not intuitive. It has become confusing due to the introduction of city and community planning, it’s unclear what to do with the resources, and the milestones are incomprehensible. I continue playing Civ VI and leave VII aside. Shame, as the series was among my favorites.”
- Svelte: “The ‘Test of Time’ update seems to steer the game back towards a ‘Civ 7’ rather than a ‘Humankind 2’. It differs from Civ 6 as much as Civ 6 differs from Civ 5, and there is still much to improve, but I can happily say that the update has, in my view, set it back on the right path.”
Among the reviews, there are also recurring players who are happy about the update and appreciate that the developers have listened to the players. Whether the update will promote the new installment to the number 1 spot in the series in the long term remains to be seen.
Civilization 7 has become a better game for many with the update. However, those who have always found the changes to the game concept silly may not be convinced by the update either. A look into the past has also been taken by MeinMMO author Ody: A strategy game from my childhood was dead for 19 years, and now it gets a spiritual successor on Steam
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