Civilization 7’s Ages system has a big problem that only DLC can solve

Civilization 7 by Sid Meier marks the long-awaited next entry in the beloved 4x series after 2016 Civilization 6. It feels like fans have been waiting forever Civilization 7but it’s finally on its way, giving fans another excuse to spend hours and hours investing in its emerging civilizations. Of course, the long wait was not in vain, as it brings with it a series of new features and important changes that could revolutionize the entire franchise.

One of these changes has to do with Civilization 7 new civilizations and how accessible they are from the start. This change has proven somewhat controversial among fans, although that doesn’t mean it’s without merit. However, what is potentially negative is the broader impact it could have on how fun the early game will be.

Civilizations are spread out in Civilization 7

There are not enough by age

Civilization 7 is changing the series’ long-standing approach to its titular civilizations in just one of many character changes. Civilization 6. Instead of letting players choose any civilization and starting from the first age, Civilization 7 will lock civilizations at specific ages. This means, Of the 31 civilizations available at launch, players will only be able to choose between 10 or 11 by age. This is nothing compared to even the first civilization game, which allowed players to choose from just 14 civilizations.

So, players will choose a civilization for the first age, the Age of Antiquity, and then move to another civilization in the second age, the Age of Exploration, before finally arriving at a final civilization in the third age, the Modern Age. For many, this is one of the Civilization 7 most unpopular changes, as it fundamentally alters the overall flow of each game. Many also believe that this ruins the historical accuracy of the Civilization series, like one civilization can become a dramatically different one, like Egypt turning into Mongolia.

However, While the change will change how players will need to approach each game, that doesn’t inherently mean it’s worse. It is a very innovative idea and one of the Civ 7 more ambitious features, especially as it will change the player’s overall approach to strategy. In theory, this new approach to civilizations will make the long game less stale, and players will also stick with their chosen civilization for a long time.

It will take between 150 and 200 laps at standard speed to reach the next age, which is approximately four hours. However, this doesn’t solve this, At the start of the game, players are severely limited in which civilization they can play as.. Only being able to choose from 10 per age means that people may end up having to play as civilizations they aren’t interested in. Civilization games, this is a problem that can be fixed with DLC.

DLC will expand Civilization 7’s roster over time

This will help realize each age

Very similar to the previous one Civilization games, Civilization 7 will no doubt expand its list of leaders and civilizations available through DLC. Some of the Civilization 6 The best leaders were added through DLC, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the same thing happen with the latest game in the series. Important, However, by adding more civilizations through DLC, Firaxis Games can remedy the problem of spreading civilizations too thin by age..

Of course, this wouldn’t necessarily solve the problem of players not being able to choose their favorite civilization from an early age, but it would improve the number of players who have access from the start. However, previous Civilization the games have added additional ages in the DLC, and this could further exacerbate the problem.

If Civilization 7 is older than the three currently planned for release, it could run the risk of making its civilizations even less accessibleespecially for those who do not reach a possible fourth or fifth extra age. Fortunately, this is all speculative, and Civilization 7hboth an opportunity to solve its potential civilizational problem and to exacerbate it.

Civ games never come to an end at launch

DLC always expands games to what they should be

Context is important and Civilization 7 is absolutely not the first game in the series to be released without content. It’s not even limited in terms of how many civilizations there are, as 31 is a very impressive number to begin with. At this point, it seems like tradition for a Firaxis Games title to rely on DLC to make it the complete package. So in many ways, Civilization 7 a limited set of civilizations by age is in line with the developer’s usual approach to designing content.

Of course, it remains to be seen whether this new approach to civilizations in Civilization series pays off. However, it’s refreshing to see Firaxis try something new, especially with a series as old as Civilization. Now that there is genuine competition, Civilization needs to overcome its old game model and try new ideas. If the DLC can add these much-needed additional civilizations, then there’s a good chance that Civilization 7 It will be fondly remembered as one of the best in the series.

Source: Civilization by Sid Meier/YouTube

Civilization VII by Sid Meier

Grand Strategy

Turn-Based Strategy

4X

Systems

Franchise

Sid Meier’s Civilization

Released

February 11, 2025

Developer(s)

Firaxis Games

Editor(s)

2K

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

Engine

Gamebryo Engine

CERS

t