New Formula

Developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K, Civilization VII managed to do what seemed impossible, which was to select your leader and not be stuck in a specific period of history until the end. For example, you can choose Xerxes, the King of Kings, and lead the Roman Empire.

Despite the complaints of some older players, I must confess that I found the new formula to be quite interesting, bringing with this novelty something more customized, depending on the qualities of the selected leader. This also aligns with the new system of Eras, which in the past started in Prehistory and went on to an uncertain future. This time, we explore the Ancient, Exploration, and Modern Eras, making practically each period a new game, bringing freshness and breaking away from the monotony.

Who hasn't started a game of Civilization doing everything the right way and already being able to dominate rival civilizations early on, right? Well, in this title of the series, all of that is still possible, but with the big difference that instead of having to deal with the change of Eras, now, practically everything starts from scratch, with the possibility of bringing your achieved bonuses and also penalties, in case any primary objective was not successful. 



I'm not a big player of the genre, but I have always tried to expand my taste for different things, and certainly Civilization VII has managed to bring that in a pleasant way, but it may displease those who were expecting something rigid. 

Choose your Revolutionary wisely

As mentioned earlier, Civilization VII provides us with the possibility of choosing one among many historical figures to govern your Empire. It is worth remembering that each character has advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to take into consideration what you seek to create and understand as a way to build a historical power. 

Of course, there is no correct choice here, but this definitely made my life much easier during the analysis of Civilization VII. I chose Xerxes, who has advantages in territorial expansions and gold accumulation. In other words, I can increase my areas without harming the happiness of my people.

Another interesting choice for first-time sailors is Machiavelli, who not only has the ability to accumulate gold more quickly but also has a lot of experience in military strategies. It is worth noting that the author of The Prince is considered the best choice for beginners, according to the game's community.

I'm not saying you should stick to the ones mentioned above, but if you want to venture into a title that you have no experience in, either of the two can make everything more enjoyable. 

Simplifying mechanics

The developers of Civilization VII have never come out publicly to comment on whether to simplify the game's mechanics or not. Of course, by doing so, the likelihood is that new players will have more desire to venture into unknown waters. Unfortunately, on the other hand, it is also possible that older players may feel like the studio is underestimating their perception, reasoning... considering that the game carries the player "on its lap," so to speak.

Nonsense aside, I consider that the game has found a way to please everyone, simplifying yes, some aspects, but not making the title easier, due to the fact that it contains many customizable aspects, especially with each change of Era.

Talking about simplicity, playing with the controller was a satisfying experience, where I did not encounter any issues, with okay responsiveness and easy navigation. Mouse and keyboard have not had much advantage in new games in general. Who would have thought...



As a very clear example of what I'm saying, the city expansion system allows for automatic improvements to be selected, making what is being built much simpler and more objective.

We can also easily notice how the part related to diplomacy has become much easier and more intuitive. This time, there are not as many options to choose from, but over the course of the game, they can become too repetitive. 

On the other hand, it is impossible not to be amazed by the addition of influence as an important factor for dialogue and conquest, as well as with the accumulation of gold, culture, and science. These are small adjustments that make the game much more dynamic.

I cannot fail to mention the possibility of natural disasters occurring and completely changing what you are planning for the future of your people. And this allows for an incredible immersion with each phenomenon.

The duration of an Era

With approximately 15 hours, most likely you will have gone through the three Eras of the game and will be able to understand in what state your settlement is when compared to rival civilizations in various senses, such as economy, alliances, influences, etc.

With everything that was possible to accumulate between victories and defeats, you will have a good idea of which step to take next to dominate more regions, and this becomes very rewarding with the simplification and authenticity of the battles, which have become much more concise and bloody.



Of course, you don't need to choose to live an epic experience, thanks to the short campaigns that guarantee as much excitement and creativity as a standard campaign of Civilization VII. It all depends on you. 

Audio, graphics, and praise

Unlike Civilization VI, the new game in the series has much less cartoonish graphics, which gives the impression of a more serious and mature title from the developing studio. 

Already considered a traditional hallmark of the Civilization series, it is very beautiful to observe the units walking across the map, the ships arriving on solid ground, the constructions happening right before our eyes... I can't make a single complaint.

Regarding the audio, the game only receives praise, especially in relation to the immersion caused by the customization of the chosen leader, bringing a captivating and motivating soundtrack, making you capable of conquering the entire map of the game in a matter of seconds.

The review of Civilization VII was conducted on Xbox Series S, thanks to the key sent by the game's publisher.