Get Ready for the Game-Changer: Civilization VII Is Here!

Experience the transformation of your strategy as Civilization VII introduces innovative gameplay elements! 

A Unique Journey at Firaxis Games

I recently had the pleasure of stepping into the creative world of Firaxis Games in Sparks, Maryland. It was an absolute thrill to dig deeper into the minds behind the legendary turn-based strategy series as I enjoyed a few hours of hands-on play with the highly anticipated Sid Meier’s Civilization VII. The energy in the studio was palpable, with a team of passionate developers excited to showcase the next chapter of this beloved franchise. Being a Maryland native, I’ve always thought that local game developers have their own unique flair, and my three hours spent with Civilization VII only reinforced that belief.

History Comes Alive in Layers

Ed Beach, the Creative Director of the Civilization series, has been a cornerstone at Firaxis Games for over a decade. He kicked off our hands-on session by sharing the vision behind Civilization VII: “History Comes in Layers.” This concept reflects how historical locations often evolve over time. New empires would build over the remnants of the past, preserving glimpses of history while introducing fresh ideas and technologies.

To embody this layered history, Civilization VII introduces an exciting three-stage Age system: The Age of Antiquity, the Age of Exploration, and The Modern Age. Players will navigate through these ages, allowing their civilization to evolve as they progress. For the very first time, you can now select a leader independent of your civilization. Imagine leading an Egyptian empire with Benjamin Franklin at the helm!

Victory conditions remain familiar with four classic Legacy paths: Science, Economics, Culture, and Military. The decisions you make in each Age will determine the civilization you can transition into as you advance. You might start as a culture-driven civilization, but engage too often in warfare and find yourself unlocking a combat-oriented society for the next Age.

It feels like each Age serves as its own mini-game within a grander scheme. During my playtime, I explored the Antiquity Age, but I can only imagine the civilizations waiting to be discovered based on my gameplay choices.

Cities that Grow and Evolve

The concept of “History in Layers” truly shines in how cities develop throughout the game. Builders have been replaced in Civilization VII, and the previous predefined districts from Civilization VI are no more. Instead, you can manage Rural areas that enhance nearby cities, while Urban districts allow for up to two buildings per hex.

As you introduce new structures, your city’s appearance will change dramatically. My time was limited to the Antiquity Age, so I could only speculate on how cities would transform when transitioning to different civilizations. However, I anticipate the changes will reinforce the game’s layered historical narrative.

One exciting innovation is the ability to keep a Town as a Town, choosing not to develop it into a City. This choice allows you to specialize towns, giving them unique buffs based on their specific tasks. For instance, a Mining Town can receive production bonuses, while a Farming Town boosts food production and growth. By leveraging these towns and the surrounding Luxury Resources, you can enhance your city’s overall development. It’s an engaging gameplay loop that adds depth to the Civilization experience, and I can’t wait to see what strategies other players will craft with this new system.

Combat Transformed Through Commanders

Another remarkable change in Civilization VII is the revamped approach to military strategy and experience. In previous installments, each unit gained experience after battles, and generals provided buffs without leveling up. In this new iteration, basic combat units won’t earn experience directly. Instead, Commanders become the focus, gaining experience from their squads’ performance in combat.

As Commanders level up, they unlock various buffs that apply to nearby units. You can even group units under a single Commander, moving them as one and deploying them strategically on the battlefield. This is a significant shift in how combat unfolds in Civilization, and I found it to be a welcome improvement, enhancing both gameplay and quality of life.

Even as someone who typically leans towards Culture, Science, or Economics in the Civilization series, I found myself deeply engaged in the military dynamics during my campaign. While I initially chose an economically focused civilization, I could see myself shifting towards a more militaristic approach if I had progressed into the next age.

A Promising Evolution for Civilization

With only three hours of gameplay, it’s hard to capture the full scope of Civilization VII. As a casual player, I may have only scratched the surface of the first Age. However, the elements I experienced—including the new combat mechanics, the diverse Civilization-Leader combinations, and the unique Town specialization—feel like meaningful enhancements to the franchise.

This is still fundamentally Civilization, maintaining the historical immersion and strategic depth we’ve come to cherish. But Firaxis Games manages to strike a perfect balance, introducing innovative systems that invigorate the formula without losing its essence. This hands-on preview left me eagerly anticipating more, and I can’t wait to experiment with the myriad of Civilization and Leader combinations to rewrite history in creative ways.

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is set to launch on February 11, 2025, across various platforms, including PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.

I also had the chance to chat with a few developers from the Civilization VII team, and stay tuned for that interview hitting soon! I dove into their development insights and even asked about their favorite leader and civilization combos.

FAQs:

• What is the new Age system in Civilization VII? The game features a three-stage Age system: The Age of Antiquity, the Age of Exploration, and The Modern Age, allowing for dynamic evolution of civilizations.
• Can you choose your leader independently from your civilization? Yes, for the first time, players can select their leader separately from their civilization, opening up unique gameplay possibilities.
• How does city development work in Civilization VII? Cities progress with Rural and Urban areas, allowing for unique building mechanics that reflect the game’s “History in Layers” theme.
• What’s new about combat in Civilization VII? Combat focuses on Commanders who gain experience from surrounding units, offering buffs and allowing for strategic grouping of troops.
• When is the release date for Civilization VII? Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is scheduled for release on February 11, 2025, on multiple platforms.

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