Civilization 7’s Victories: From Flexibility to a Checklist?

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Players flock to Sid Meier’s Civilization series with the goal of etching their name in history, yet the game’s core objective has always been about securing victory. Similar to a board game, players dedicate their entire playtime to pursuing one of the numerous victories the games provide. Through each new installment, Firaxis introduces variations and even novel victories into the mix. However, in Sid Meier’s Civilization 7, there appears to be something noticeably absent.

Firaxis Games has significantly revamped the fundamental mechanics in “Sid Meier’s Civilization 7”, introducing fresh experiences for players. While many of the modifications appear effective, the alterations to victory conditions could use improvement. Unlike previous installments that offered great flexibility, these victories seem more like a mandatory task list, which doesn’t ruin the game but might limit its potential appeal for some.

Civilization 7’s Victories Feel Rather Limited to What Came Before

Civilization 6’s Victories Were Far More Flexible

In the game ‘Civilization 6’, there are five primary methods to achieve victory, plus an additional one when the Score victory is enabled. Each victory necessitates focusing on specific objectives before other players, or risk losing everything if you fall behind. To win the Science victory, players must dominate in space exploration; for the Domination victory, they need to conquer every opponent’s capital city; the Religious victory demands spreading your religion worldwide; the Diplomacy victory requires accumulating 30 points through diplomatic maneuvers; and the Culture victory involves attracting tourists to your nation. With the right civilization and strategy, all these victories can be achieved by the player.

Each victory in these games necessitated players completing diverse tasks, but they had leeway in deciding how and when to accomplish their objectives. They could progress at their own speed, switch tactics if necessary, and choose from several paths to reach their goals. Of course, there were optimal strategies, but overall, this design allowed for various playstyles. Contrastingly, Civilization 7 has opted for a more unique approach.

Civilization 7’s Victories Seem Like a Checklist

In Civilization 7, there are only four ways to emerge victorious, and each triumph is structured around a series of age-related tasks. Throughout the three ages, there’s a unique path for every victory that needs to be accomplished to earn Legacy Points and advance through the era. In the final age, these paths become crucial in unlocking the conditions for victory and ultimately claiming victory. Although this approach does provide players with clear objectives for each age, some might find these tasks overly restrictive and feel they limit the game’s overall freedom and flexibility.

Whenever I dive into a new game of Civilization 7, it’s crucial for me to prioritize advancing along these Legacy Paths if I hope to stand a chance in the climactic final age. Consequently, I often find myself repeating similar tasks in the same sequence across games. This includes researching specific technologies, constructing particular buildings, and even declaring war on nearby civilizations at specific stages of the game. The sequential nature of these paths, being tied to ages, also means that my pace is somewhat dictated rather than freely chosen. Lastly, I’ve noticed that some of the final victory conditions can feel a bit underwhelming or abrupt, which sometimes leaves the ending feeling somewhat anticlimactic.

As a dedicated Civ fan, I’m really enjoying the thrill of Civilization 7 so far. The journey to those victories is still full of surprises and unpredictability, which I love. However, it would be fantastic if future victories in Civ 7 retained the same level of flexibility as they did in previous games. Hopefully, with post-release updates and downloadable content, we’ll get there. For now, all we can do is keep our fingers crossed and eagerly await any improvements that might come our way.

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2025-02-16 22:55