Remembering Civilization: A Journey Through Strategy Games
I have a vivid memory of watching my dad play Civilization 2 on the PlayStation as a kid. It looked impenetrable from the outside, filled with a sea of menus, tiny units, and decisions I couldn’t begin to parse. But, it has never billed itself as a spectator sport. My own entry into the series came years later when Civilization 5 dropped to a fiver during a sale, cheap enough to rope a few friends into the fray. It clicked immediately. With its forgiving approach, lacking real-time rush strategies or intimidating unit spam, I found solace in its simultaneous turns that respected everyone’s time. Fast forward to now, and Civilization 7 could be your perfect entry point, currently on sale at a whopping 40% discount at Fanatical, bringing the price down to $41.99 / £35.99.
A New Direction: The Age System
The latest installment in Sid Meier’s storied 4X strategy series marks a notable departure from its predecessors. In an attempt to reinvigorate the franchise, Firaxis introduced the Age system, which divides the game into three distinct phases. Unlike older titles that offered a static leader-civilization pairing at the start, Civilization 7 decouples this relationship. Upon choosing a leader, you’ll be tasked with swapping civilizations as you progress from Antiquity to Exploration, and eventually to the Modern era.
While I always support innovation and taking risks rather than sticking to a tried-and-true formula, this new system raises questions about replayability. The initial novelty offers an exciting experience, but the fun can wear thin when you must re-engage with the decision-making process after a soft reset, as your cities revert to towns at the beginning of a new Age. Adjusting to a new leader with different abilities sometimes feels more like a chore than an exhilarating challenge.
Listening to the Players: Upcoming Updates
Fortunately, the developers have been attentive to player feedback. The forthcoming Test of Time update, celebrating the game’s first anniversary, promises to return to a format allowing players to stick with a single civilization throughout their playthrough. This means you can start the game from any age and lead with your preferred leader, reintroducing a level of continuity that many players enjoy.
Alongside this feature, Update 1.3.2 introduces a rework to the game’s Victory conditions. This revision hones in on four principal areas: Military, Economy, Culture, and Science. The previous Legacy Paths have been replaced with a new system called Triumphs, which aims to make the pathways feel less rigid and more fluid. Instead of pushing players down a predetermined strategy, Triumphs will offer challenges that align with the six main Attributes: Militaristic, Cultural, Scientific, Economic, Diplomatic, and Expansionist. This shift ensures players can explore various strategies without feeling boxed in.
Is It Worth It?
The Test of Time update is set for release this Spring, but even without this upcoming expansion, Civilization 7 is certainly worth the investment, especially with the ongoing 40% discount available on platforms like Humble Bundle. The game represents a bold attempt to redefine the 4X genre while maintaining the essence that has long associated it with success. Although it isn’t without its flaws, it undeniably has a bright future ahead, particularly with the enhancements planned for the near term.
To underline just how good this deal is, it’s available until Thursday, February 26, 2026. For anyone interested in diving into this unparalleled strategy experience, now is the time to seize the opportunity. As articulated in Ed’s review, “[The game] is fantastic and perhaps the best expression of the conventional 4X game,” making it a worthy addition to any gamer’s library.
With both nostalgic reflections and potential future developments in mind, it’s clear that the Civilization series continues to evolve, drawing both seasoned players and newcomers into its expansive world of strategy and exploration.
