Civilization 7, eagerly awaited by fans since the release of Civilization 6 in 2016, has hit a rough patch with its Advanced Access launch on Steam. The game, which became available 5 days before its official February 11 release date, has garnered a "mostly negative" rating from players who paid extra to access it early. This unexpected backlash has sparked a flurry of criticism centered around several key aspects of the game.

Steam Players Voice Concerns Over User Interface, Maps, and Resource Mechanics

One of the primary grievances among players is the User Interface (UI) of Civilization 7. Many have described it as "janky" and "ugly," drawing unfavorable comparisons to its predecessor, Civilization 6. Some have gone as far as likening the current UI to that of a "free mobile knockoff" of the series. There's a sentiment among the community that Firaxis Games, the developers, may have prioritized console development, resulting in a UI that feels "barren" and lacks the customization options players expect.

The game's map system has also come under fire. Players have expressed frustration over the limited options for selecting and customizing maps. Civilization 7 offers only three map sizes—Small, Medium, and Large—compared to the five sizes available in Civilization 6, which catered to a variety of gameplay styles. Additionally, the lack of detailed information when scrolling through map types has been a point of contention.

Another significant issue raised by the community is the new resource mechanics in Civilization 7. Unlike the previous game, where resources were randomly generated on the map for players to control, resources in Civ 7 are assigned to cities or the empire through strategic management. Many players feel that this change reduces the replay value that the map-based resource system of Civilization 6 provided.

In response to the feedback, Firaxis Games has acknowledged the concerns, particularly regarding the UI. They stated, "We are aware of and looking into feedback on the game's UI. We're continuing to make improvements to Civilization VII, and appreciate you taking the time to drop your feedback. For the maps, Civilization VII is going to keep growing and changing with future updates and expansions, so please let us know what you'd like to see!" This indicates that the developers are committed to addressing these issues and enhancing the game experience in future updates.