CIVILIZATION VII IS SHAPING UP TO BE A STANDOUT ENTRY IN THE SERIES

Unlike some of the more convoluted systems in earlier Civ titles, Civilization VII offers a series of clear, well-organised tutorials that guide new players through the early game.

- ZELDA LEE

Sid Meier's Civilization VII carries the weight of a legendary franchise that has evolved since its inception.

With six previous titles behind it, Firaxis has had to walk a fine line between introducing fresh ideas and retaining the familiar feel long-time fans love. After clocking in over 15 hours of gameplay-yes, I fell victim to the "one more turn" spell-I can say that Civilization VII strikes that balance remarkably well.

Sid Meier's Civilization VII

For starters, the game's commitment to accessibility is immediately evident.

Unlike some of the more convoluted systems in earlier Civ titles, Civilization VII offers a series of clear, well-organised tutorials that guide new players through the early game. While you can't entirely skip the basics- even if you're a returning veteranthe learning curve feels far more manageable than in previous iterations.

This thoughtful approach means that newcomers aren't overwhelmed, while long-time fans will appreciate that the core mechanics haven't been discarded in favour of flashy, new gimmicks.

One of the major changes compared to Civilization VII is how complete the game feels at launch.

Previous titles like Civilization V and VI often required expansions to flesh out key systems.