Take-Two Boss Says 'Legacy' Civilization Audience Will Eventually Come Around on Civilization 7 Amid 'Mixed' Steam User Reviews

Civilization VII has arrived, launching to a mixed reception on Steam. Despite this, Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, remains confident that dedicated Civilization fans will ultimately embrace the game.

Currently available via early access, primarily to hardcore Civilization players, the game has received criticism on Steam regarding its user interface, limited map variety, and perceived missing features. Firaxis has acknowledged this feedback, promising UI improvements, the addition of team-based multiplayer, expanded map types, and other enhancements.

In an interview with IGN, Zelnick acknowledged negative reviews, including Eurogamer's 2/5 score, but highlighted the game's 81 Metacritic score and numerous reviews exceeding 90. He attributed the negative feedback to the innovative changes implemented in Civilization VII, suggesting that the core fanbase, initially hesitant, will grow to appreciate the game with increased playtime. He specifically mentioned the UI as an area needing improvement.

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Zelnick's comments allude to the significant changes introduced in Civilization VII. A full campaign spans three Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. Age Transitions, a novel feature, occur simultaneously for all players, involving civilization selection, Legacy retention, and world evolution—a departure from previous Civilization games.

While Zelnick expresses long-term optimism, Firaxis faces the immediate challenge of improving player sentiment, particularly on Steam. The Steam user review rating significantly impacts the game's visibility and success on the platform. Therefore, addressing player concerns is crucial for the game's future performance.