Civilization 7’s Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages Explained

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Civilization 7's Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages Explained

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I’ve seen the evolution of the Civilization franchise from its humble beginnings to the grand strategy behemoth it is today. With each new installment, I eagerly await the fresh challenges and strategic depth that Firaxis manages to inject into the gameplay formula. However, when it comes to Civilization 7, the anticipation has reached a fever pitch. The teaser hinting at major changes had me on the edge of my seat, and now, with the details emerging, I can’t help but feel both excited and slightly overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of what’s in store.

In essence, the fundamental gameplay structure of the “Civilization” series has remained consistent over approximately two decades, with each new release building upon the foundation established by the initial games. Despite this continuity, some enthusiasts have voiced a wish for “Civilization 7” to introduce changes to the franchise’s formula, given that “Civilization 6” continues to be popular among many dedicated players.

Developer Firaxis seems to agree with this sentiment, with its first reveal for Civilization 7 teasing that some major changes were coming to the long-awaited sequel. Firaxis has shed a bit more light on what these major changes are, and by far the most significant is Civilization 7‘s new Age system. While previous Civ games have featured Ages, they’ve never impacted the flow of gameplay quite as drastically, and there’s a lot fans need to wrap their heads around before Civilization 7‘s launch next February.

Civilization 7’s Three Ages Explained

In the complete gameplay of Civilization 7, players will navigate through three unique Eras: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. These Eras now hold significant importance compared to previous versions, as each Era introduces numerous changes and enhancements. For instance, when a player progresses into a new Era, they are compelled to pick a fresh Civilization.

The journey through the three Ages in “Civilization 7” is designed by Firaxis to reflect history’s layered development over a prolonged span. In essence, this fresh system promises to introduce an intricate new facet of strategy into the traditional “Civilization” gameplay. This could enable players to significantly modify their strategies at critical junctures, and inspire them to anticipate future moves and adjust to any challenges posed by opponents.

Changes That Come With Each New Age in Civilization 7

In the discussion earlier, we pointed out that when a new Age begins in Civilization 7, several significant alterations take place, and these adjustments become effective immediately. Here’s a summary of the primary changes that occur with each new Age in Civilization 7:

  • Civilizations – Players must select a new Civ for every Age, bringing new units, buildings, and abilities
  • Resources – Players gain and lose access to various resources around the map depending on the Age they’re in
  • Available Tech and Structures – The units, buildings, Wonders, and tech available to the player change each Age
  • Playable Map Space – The map’s size will expand with each Age
  • Legacies – A set of abilities that can be bought at the start of a new Age

In each new era of Civilization 7, the key modification is selecting a different civilization to control. Despite keeping the same leader, the chosen civilization should align with the obstacles of the approaching Age. The fresh civilizations will provide access to numerous new units, structures, and capabilities that players can utilize for that specific era.

One intriguing aspect of the evolving Ages in Civilization 7 is the expansion of the game map. As players advance into a fresh Age, they’ll unlock additional portions of the map. Resources available on the map will also alter with each new Age, necessitating careful observation of a player’s city surroundings to ensure they are making optimal use of the changing resources.

In a manner akin to the Government system in Civilization 6, the Legacies in Civilization 7 function as a collection of powers and advantages that progressively accumulate as the Ages advance. Reaching a particular achievement in the previous Age grants a Legacy Point, which can later be utilized to acquire an associated Legacy power. For instance, achieving a Science milestone would enable players to select a Science-related perk in the subsequent Age.

How Ages Progress in Civilization 7

In an average game of Civilization 7 played at standard speed, an Age should last around 150–200 turns, which is estimated at around 3–4 hours of gameplay. The progress of an Age is determined by how many turns every player has taken, and by how many Legacy Path milestones they have completed.

As we approach the close of an epoch, players will encounter a distinct Predicament tailored to the period. This predicament will impose unfavorable conditions on the player, compelling them to adjust their strategy to overcome the newly acquired disadvantages. Following resolution of the predicament, all players undergo a synchronized Era Transition, during which they select a fresh Civilization and opt for Legacies they wish to retain.

Every Antiquity Age Civilization Confirmed So Far

  • Aksum
  • Egypt
  • Greece
  • Han China
  • Khmer
  • Maya
  • Maurya India
  • Rome

These are all the Antiquity Age Civilizations confirmed for Civ 7 so far. These can all be chosen right at the start of a Civ 7 match, and they determine what units, buildings, and abilities the player gets access to out of the gate.

Every Exploration Age Civilization Confirmed So Far

  • Shawnee
  • Abbasid
  • Norman
  • Mongolia
  • Chola India

During a Change of Era, players must select a new Civilization to replace the one they had in the Ancient Age. The Civilizations available to players are determined by various factors, including their chosen Civilization in the Ancient Age, milestones achieved during that age, and the leader they’re controlling. While most choices will be historically and geographically accurate, players can deviate from reality with their in-game decisions, unlocking diverse Civilizations for future Eras that provide vastly different gameplay experiences.

Every Modern Age Civilization Confirmed So Far

  • Buganda
  • Mughal India
  • Meiji Japan
  • French Empire

On the launch day of Civ 7, the exact number of civilizations isn’t yet specified, however, what has been confirmed so far offers an interesting blend of familiar franchise mainstays alongside lesser-known series contenders.

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2024-10-11 00:05