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Sid Meier's Civilization VII is a 4X turn-based strategy video game developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K. The game was released on February 11, 2025, for Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. It was also released on June 5, 2025 for Nintendo Switch 2.
Similar to previous installments, the goal for the player is to develop a civilization from an early settlement through many in-game millennia to become a Great power and achieve one of several victory conditions, such as through military World domination, technological superiority, economic prowess, or Soft power over the other human and computer-controlled opponents. Players do this by exploring the world, founding new cities, building city improvements, deploying military troops to attack and defend themselves from others, researching new technologies and civics advancements, developing an influential culture, and engaging in trade and negotiations with other world leaders. A significant change from previous iterations of the game was the introduction of an ages system to break up gameplay with different civilizations for each era.
Reception to the game was mixed, with players and critics praising its visuals, sounds, and diplomacy system overhaul, but criticizing its user interface and in some cases the ages system.
Civilization VII allows the player to select leaders and civilizations independently, with civilizations favoring leaders with certain attributes. The criteria for what constitutes a "leader" have also been updated, now including philosophers, religious figures, and scientists who were not heads of state. The historical era system is simplified into the antiquity, exploration, and modern ages, in comparison to the further divisions implemented by the game's predecessors. During all ages, independent factions—deliberately labeled to prevent perceived negative connotations of the term "barbarian" used in previous games in the series—emerge. Depending on how the player chooses to interact with them, these may evolve to become city state. Towards the end of the antiquity and exploration ages, players are faced with "crisis events" which simulate societal disruption and civilization downfall. Upon the conclusion of these ages, the player must choose a new civilization with which to begin the next age.
Firaxis Games collaborated with members of the Shawnee Tribe, including Shawnee chief Benjamin Barnes, to create a historically accurate depiction of Tecumseh in the game. Tecumseh is voiced by Dean Dillon, a Shawnee voice actor. As part of the partnership between Firaxis Games and the Shawnee Tribe, Firaxis and 2K donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to programs working to revitalize the Shawnee language.
Civilization VIIs opening cinematic "Rediscover Hope" and theme song "Live Gloriously" were revealed at the 2024 Game Awards. "Live Gloriously" is written by American composer Christopher Tin, who also composed the Grammy Award-winning song "Baba Yetu", the main theme of Civilization IV, as well as Civilization VI's main theme "Sogno di Volare". The song's lyrics are derived from four ancient —the Iliad, Beowulf, Popol Vuh, and Ramayana—which are sung in their languages as originally written. The game's original score was composed, arranged, and produced by Geoff Knorr and Roland Rizzo. It features performances by ensembles and musicians from around the world, including the FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague, Mongolian State Morin Khuur Ensemble, Ensemble I Fedeli, Southern Pine Drum Group, Wong Pleng Khmer, among many soloists.
A virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) version of Civilization VII was released on April 9, 2025, for the Meta Quest 3 and 3S. This version was developed by PlaySide Studios.
Due to feedback during the early access stage, on February 10, 2025, Firaxis Games released Patch 1.0.1 for Civilization VII, which included improvements to the user interface and tooltips. The update also introduced minor rebalancing for certain civilizations, ensuring a more streamlined gameplay experience.
The game's visuals and sounds and diplomacy system overhaul were mostly praised. However, many critics found the User interface lacking, the mechanics oversimplified, and the three ages system, coupled with the ability to change civilizations, divisive. Other points of criticism included the perceived premature end of the technology tree and the overreliance on DLC to fix or add lacking features.
Player reviews were less positive, with Civilization VII receiving Mixed reviews on Steam from Early access players shortly before its full release. Months after the game's release, Civilization VII maintained a Mixed rating on Steam, with only 48% of players recommending the game, with the most heavy criticism being aimed at the abruptness of the ages system and the immersion breaking of changing Civilizations.
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