In Episode 18 of the Critical Moves Podcast, Al and Joe take an in-depth look at Civilization 7, the newest release in the iconic 4X strategy series that has captivated players for decades. With Al still undecided on the game and Joe having already put significant hours into it, the hosts bring a brutally honest perspective on the latest installment. Their discussion is candid, offering a mix of praise and criticism as they dissect the strengths and weaknesses of Civilization 7, a game that many fans had high hopes for following the success of its predecessors. As the conversation unfolds, Al and Joe explore the aspects of the game that have both impressed and disappointed, providing listeners with a raw and unfiltered take on whether Civilization 7 lives up to its legendary legacy.
Leaders and Nation Combinations: Joe kicks off the discussion by expressing his disappointment with the new leader system. Unlike previous Civilization titles where each leader had game-changing abilities, Civilization 7 opts for a more homogenized approach, leaving leaders feeling less impactful. Joe describes the new system as “because everybody does, it’s almost like nobody does.”
The Age System and Narrative Disruption: The shift away from leaders being tied to specific nations has raised some eyebrows. Joe shares his frustration with how the new ages system, borrowed from Humankind, makes the game feel less cohesive and loses the narrative continuity that was always a strong point of the series.
AI and Diplomacy Woes: The AI remains a sore point. Joe recounts how the AI’s behavior often feels predictable and nonsensical, with diplomacy failing to make any significant impact on gameplay. The game quickly devolves into a land grab, and cities are spammed by the AI without any strategic intent, making the map feel cluttered and chaotic.
Gameplay Interruptions and Frustrating Mechanics: One of the biggest talking points is the automatic transition between ages. Joe expresses frustration with how this mechanic disrupts gameplay by forcing unit resets and undoing important strategic moves. The lack of immersion and unpredictability added to the gameplay only leads to more frustration.
User Experience and UI Issues: The episode also covers the poor user experience, particularly with the game’s UI. Al and Joe agree that basic features like tooltips and resource information are poorly implemented, leaving players unsure of how to proceed. These fundamental issues contribute to a sense that the game feels unfinished.
The Verdict: In the end, Joe gives Civilization 7 a brutal score of 3.5 Big Macs out of 10, with Al echoing his disappointment. The hosts argue that the game risks damaging the Civilization franchise’s reputation if Firaxis doesn’t make significant improvements soon.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone on the fence about picking up Civilization 7. Al and Joe offer a raw, honest take that goes beyond the hype, dissecting what went wrong and what the future of the franchise might look like.
Listen to the Episode Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music
Join the conversation and share your own experiences with Civilization 7—especially if you disagree with the harsh verdict.
Leaders and Nation Combinations: Joe kicks off the discussion by expressing his disappointment with the new leader system. Unlike previous Civilization titles where each leader had game-changing abilities, Civilization 7 opts for a more homogenized approach, leaving leaders feeling less impactful. Joe describes the new system as “because everybody does, it’s almost like nobody does.” The Age System and Narrative Disruption: The shift away from leaders being tied to specific nations has raised some eyebrows. Joe shares his frustration with how the new ages system, borrowed from Humankind, makes the game feel less cohesive and loses the narrative continuity that was always a strong point of the series. AI and Diplomacy Woes: The AI remains a sore point. Joe recounts how the AI’s behavior often feels predictable and nonsensical, with diplomacy failing to make any significant impact on gameplay. The game quickly devolves into a land grab, and cities are spammed by the AI without any strategic intent, making the map feel cluttered and chaotic. Gameplay Interruptions and Frustrating Mechanics: One of the biggest talking points is the automatic transition between ages. Joe expresses frustration with how this mechanic disrupts gameplay by forcing unit resets and undoing important strategic moves. The lack of immersion and unpredictability added to the gameplay only leads to more frustration. User Experience and UI Issues: The episode also covers the poor user experience, particularly with the game’s UI. Al and Joe agree that basic features like tooltips and resource information are poorly implemented, leaving players unsure of how to proceed. These fundamental issues contribute to a sense that the game feels unfinished. The Verdict: In the end, Joe gives Civilization 7 a brutal score of 3.5 Big Macs out of 10, with Al echoing his disappointment. The hosts argue that the game risks damaging the Civilization franchise’s reputation if Firaxis doesn’t make significant improvements soon.This episode is a must-listen for anyone on the fence about picking up Civilization 7. Al and Joe offer a raw, honest take that goes beyond the hype, dissecting what went wrong and what the future of the franchise might look like.
Listen to the Episode Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music
Join the conversation and share your own experiences with Civilization 7—especially if you disagree with the harsh verdict.