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Review of Civilization VII on Xbox Series X/S

by Hemal Harris Hemal Harris photo Feb 2025
Cover image of Civilization VII on Xbox Series X/S
Gamefings Score: 7.5
Released: 11 Feb 2025
Genre: 4X Strategy
Developer: Firaxis Games
Publisher: 2K

Introduction

Welcome to the world of *Civilization VII,* where you can relive the glory of human history or mess it all up like a toddler with a crayons and a wall. This addition to the iconic franchise promises grand strategies, historical leaders (because who doesn't want a chat with Alexander the Great?), and an ever-expanding world that's just begging for you to conquer it-effectively ruining the dreams of peasants everywhere. So grab your popcorn, set your watch to 'endless,' and let's dive into this ambitious game.

Gameplay

In *Civilization VII,* you get to play as a historical leader, like Monty Python's Sir Lancelot, except it's an actual historical figure, and they're not singing about coconuts. Players select from a multitude of civilizations, each led by a leader with their own unique abilities. Forget the usual suspects; we're talking philosophies, scientists, and even some non-head-of-state characters. It's like a reality show, but for civilizations, and there's no elimination-yet. Your goal? Build an empire from scratch while keeping your citizens happy (good luck with that!), exploring the vast map, and striking deals-or backstabbing your neighbors when they least expect it. The game features a three-age system that-hold onto your hats-simplifies the past complexities into antiquity, exploration, and modern ages. Think of it as Civilization Lite. The excitement doesn't stop there! Players now interact with independent factions that avoid the 'B' word used in previous games. These factions can evolve into city-states if you play nice. But if you decide to treat them poorly, well, you might trigger a glorious uprising! And just when you think you're on top of the world, expect crisis events that resemble a social media meltdown. And just when you feel secure in your empire, the game ends ages with a new civilization to lead through new challenges. It's like reality-just when you think you have it figured out, something comes along to ruin your day.

Graphics

With visuals that scream, 'We live in the future!' *Civilization VII* glimmers on your Xbox Series X/S. The graphic quality has taken a leap from previous iterations, delivering stunning landscapes while reflecting varied terrain types and advanced city structures that look like they were plucked straight from history books. The animations are fluid, and the art style is vibrant when settling new cities-or, more likely, razing your enemy's capital. Prepare yourself for each gorgeous turn to reveal a fresh, sparkling slice of the world, ready to be conquered or turned into a dystopian wasteland of despair-your choice! If only it had a 'pause to appreciate the scenery' button, but alas, you and your civilization are too busy getting into trouble.

Conclusion

In conclusion, *Civilization VII* attempts to deliver a stunning and engaging experience for strategy enthusiasts, and at times it succeeds brilliantly, with a few hiccups like UI issues and oversimplified mechanics that remind us they've cut a few corners along the way. The game is a solid addition to the franchise, yet it doesn't quite reach the heights of its predecessors-think of it as a fast-pass through history at an amusement park. The visuals are eye-catching, and there's enough depth to keep even the most seasoned strategists engaged. Just be prepared for some player criticisms about the dwindling tech trees and the potential over-reliance on upcoming DLCs for added substance. So, if you're ready to dive into a history simulator where you're a dictator, philosopher, or a scatterbrained ruler, *Civilization VII* might just be your new obsession, or at least until you get distracted by TikTok! Overall, it scores a respectable 7.5 out of 10. Now go out there and create a world that's equal parts beautiful, chaotic, and entirely yours!

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