Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is just around the corner, set to release on February 11th. The game has always provided players with the chance to lead various historical civilizations from ancient times to modern eras, but Civ VII introduces several fundamental changes that shake up the traditional gameplay formula.
From a redesigned leader and civilization system to the introduction of a new influence mechanic, these updates promise a fresh and dynamic experience for both veterans and newcomers alike. So here are all the New Features and Changes in Sid Meier’s Civilization VII.
Decoupled Leaders and Civilizations
One of the biggest changes in Civ VII is the decoupling of leaders from their civilizations. In previous titles, each leader was intrinsically tied to a specific civilization, meaning their abilities and play styles were fairly fixed.
This time around, you can mix and match leaders with any civilization, allowing for a wealth of customization and depth. Imagine historical figures like Benjamin Franklin leading the Mayan Empire! While this might raise eyebrows among history buffs, it undeniably adds replayability and opens up new strategic possibilities.
New Approach to Progression
Civ VII also changes things up by taking a new approach to progression by dividing the game into three distinct ages:
- Antiquity Age: This age marks the beginning of agricultural societies clustering into urban centers, laying the foundation for early civilizations.
- Exploration Age: Driven by the desire for precious commodities from distant lands, empires expand across oceans during this era.
- Modern Age: A period of incredible technological growth and global conflict, where humanity transitions from steam engines to atomic power.
Unlike previous games where you would evolve continuously, you now transition to a new civilization at the start of each age. This shift requires players to adjust their strategies when moving into different eras, particularly in the modern age. It adds balance by preventing strong early-game civilizations from snowballing into dominance in the late game.
Dynamic Terrain Changes
Another exciting feature is terrain evolution. The map is now ever-changing, with landscapes shifting over time. This can alter resources, trade routes, and even city planning.
New elements like navigable rivers and elevated terrains offer fresh travel options, while narrative events can lead to environmental changes—think floods damaging your farmland or cities. If you enjoyed the environmental mechanics in Civ VI’s Gathering Storm DLC, you’ll appreciate the dynamic terrain system.
Overhauled Unit Management System
Civ VII introduces an overhauled unit management system with commanders. The old unit stacking method is gone; instead, commanders are special military units that lead groups of soldiers and coordinate attacks.
They can gain experience, level up, and provide passive bonuses to nearby armies based on choices made in their skill trees. This change enhances strategic battles while reducing micromanagement—a welcome shift for many players.
The New Influence System
The introduction of an influence system adds another layer of complexity to gameplay. Influence is a resource you accumulate over time and spend on diplomatic actions like forming alliances or condemning other factions. This mechanic encourages you to engage with opponents beyond simple war and peace options, adding depth to diplomatic strategies.
Independent Factions Replace Barbarians
In a significant change from previous titles, barbarians have been replaced by independent factions that behave more dynamically. These factions can evolve over time, making early-game interactions with non-player factions a bit more unpredictable.
Narrative Events for Story-Driven Choices
Civ VII also introduces narrative events—story-driven moments where players must make impactful choices. These events can influence the direction of your civilization’s development, although some may not have as significant an impact as others. For instance, my city experienced flooding due to one event–just showing how these choices can shape gameplay.
Conclusion
Overall, my experience with Civ VII has been pretty decent. While some won’t like certain changes—like the decoupled leaders or the absence of barbarians—the game still feels familiar pretty at home at its core.
The new systems pose additional challenges for both veterans and newcomers alike. I particularly enjoyed the commander system and influence-based diplomacy.
A full playthrough typically lasts around 20 hours, depending on your play style, but there’s plenty of replayability here! Although I wish I could have explored multiplayer more during my early access period, it’s clear that Civ VII is shaping up to be an exciting addition to the franchise.
TL;DR? Sid Meier’s Civilization VII promises bold steps forward while retaining the essence that fans love about the series. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out in this iconic franchise, there’s much to look forward to in Civilization VII.