Civilization 7 Changing Religion is a Logical Step After Civ 6

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Civilization 7 Changing Religion is a Logical Step After Civ 6

Key Takeaways

  • Civilization 7 brings multicultural features with a focus on population, gearing up for a complex and exciting release.
  • The religious mechanics in the game lack depth and connection to larger systems, leaving players wanting more complexity.
  • While a dedicated religious tree could improve strategy, it risks making the victory path stale and slowing down progression.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of Civilization under my belt, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation and excitement for the upcoming release of Civilization 7. The trailers and interviews have promised a multicultural focus, which is music to my ears. However, one area that has me scratching my head is the apparent lack of depth in the religious mechanics, a cornerstone of historical strategy games like this one.

Acclaimed for its intricate design and historical portrayal, the strategy titan known as “Civilization” is preparing to unveil its seventh edition, generating considerable anticipation. Having already shared trailers and interviews, “Civilization VII” highlights elements tailored for diverse civilizations and a heightened emphasis on managing the population.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, there’s still a lot we don’t know about the nitty-gritty mechanics, particularly how we’ll secure victories in Civilization 7. One thing that’s for sure is that the science and culture trees will likely undergo some transformation.

A Civilization 7 Rehaul Could Make the Game More Complex

Advanced Religion Could Improve Civ 7 Flavor and Strategy

In past versions of the game “Civilization”, religion was not given much attention. However, in “Civ 6”, it has been significantly improved with unique apostle upgrades and theological conflicts, making it a more sophisticated feature compared to earlier games. Even though players can quickly establish religious dominance, they may not always choose to create their own religion, which is essential for engaging with its associated mechanics.

For those players, amassing substantial faith remains relevant primarily for limited purposes like benefits from the Theocratic government or tourism from National Parks. Beyond these specific uses, faith becomes largely disregarded and unconnected to a broader system such as a religion evolution tree. To achieve a religious victory, one must focus on other types of victories first. As players progress through the advanced civics tree (which is the most challenging to develop), they will gain access to religious structures, possibly finding themselves inadvertently closer to a culture victory instead.

Beyond unlocking the Inquisitors, the development of religion reaches its peak. If, at this stage, other faiths are being propagated, players will find themselves frequently battling an unending tide of religious units. The most efficient way to eliminate them is to initiate a war, and in such a scenario, achieving a domination victory might prove simpler. Given the close link between religion and the other win conditions, it lacks the intrigue and power required to be self-sufficient. This could be remedied by designing a tree that makes this victory feel more rewarding and challenging.

Ultimately, the present religious system within the game is quite straightforward. The beliefs of civilizations act as boosters for specific aspects of the game but lack depth that could significantly impact gameplay in a more engaging manner. To enhance this aspect, it would be sensible and aesthetically pleasing to introduce beliefs that affect other mechanics directly, such as implementing events like fasting or feasting to influence crucial resources like food and happiness within a player’s civilization. This concept aligns well with the proposed direction for Civilization 7, which aims to delve deeper into how a culture evolves throughout history.

A Focused Religious Tree Might Make the Victory Boring

Although there are advantages to a religious victory model mirroring civic and tech trees, it also has drawbacks. One major issue is that a comprehensive tree would slow down the speed at which a religious victory can be achieved, as this victory type already offers a quicker route compared to others. Furthermore, religion offers a distinct win condition, and adding a full tree might make it feel overly similar to the other conditions. Instead, a smaller tree, like the one used for governor upgrades, could be beneficial in maintaining the unique feel of religious victory.

1. To construct the tree, a colossal effort will be necessary. In Civilization VI, elements within the tree remain under the civics tree, necessitating an overhaul of a distinct game mechanic. Unlike science and culture, advancement in religion doesn’t carry the same distinction between early and later eras. The appeal of the former trees lies in their sense of progression, mirroring historical events accurately. However, religions tend to be stable rather than changing frequently, as demonstrated by the current system and Civilization’s most exceptional religious leaders.

In eager anticipation for Civilization 7, many look forward to its potential enhancements on beloved game elements. However, it’s hard not to wonder if religion could benefit from some refinement within a more character-focused game setting. Religion profoundly influences culture and traditions, and incorporating a specialized religious growth system could mirror the intricacies of human nature and enrich the strategies players employ to guide their empires to triumph.

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2024-08-29 16:35