Civilization VII’s early reception seems somewhat muted given the high expectations, but Firaxis has indicated that “work is already underway” on significant updates.

The last two iterations of the Civilization series continue to attract a large player base, underscoring their quality as engaging time sinks for gamers. The newly-released Civilization VII exhibits promising features but will require further enhancements to reach the iconic status of its predecessors, as evidenced by its current player numbers on Steam, which do not yet match those of earlier titles.

Both Civilization V and VI have achieved higher peak player counts on Steam—91,363 and 162,657, respectively—compared to Civilization VII’s peak of 84,558 observed after its full launch last week. Following the recent release, Civilization VII appears intermittently on the top players chart, sometimes trailed by its predecessors.

While Civilization VII’s reception is far from disastrous, it did not receive the glowing acclaim afforded to its two predecessors—93% ratings for both Civilization V and VI. Robert Zak reflected in his review:

“Civilization VII feels like a reaction to the maximalism of its predecessor: sleeker and speedier, colder and less complex.”
Translation: Civilization VII seems to simplify some aspects compared to the previous games, focusing more on a streamlined experience.

Players have voiced concerns about the game’s user interface and other mechanics lacking depth compared to earlier versions, settling for a “Mixed” review status on Steam.

Firaxis has committed to ongoing development, assuring players that they are actively engaging with feedback, with plans for free updates and improved game features. As ambitions for Civilization VII evolve, its future reception may positively shift as well.