Civilization VII: Can Devs Fix What Critics HATE? You Won't Believe Their Plan!

Firaxis Games is walking a tightrope with *Civilization VII*. Let's be honest, the initial reception was...mixed. The developers heard the outcry, though. And they're swinging for the fences with a major update planned for this spring, ambitiously titled "Test of Time." This isn't just a patch; it's a fundamental rethink of some core design choices, and in some cases, a welcome return to features that made earlier *Civ* games so addictive.

Civilization VII: Can Devs Fix What Critics HATE? ...

While the initial updates were the usual fare – bug squashing, balance tweaks, UI improvements that made me squint less – "Test of Time" tackles the bigger issues. The ones that really got under the skin of long-time fans. Chief among those was the controversial system where you could pick any historical leader for any civ, then were *forced* to abandon your civilization twice during the game. Three eras, three different civs? It was...a lot. And not necessarily in a good way.

"I am a huge fan of British history, and so going from the Romans to the Normans to a Great Britain, that feels very natural to me. But it’s not natural to everybody," admitted Ed Beach of Firaxis, with a candor you don't always see in game development. He continued, "As soon as you introduce those type of civ changes and the mixing and mashing with any leader, all of a sudden I think there’s an immersion element." It's refreshing to see a developer acknowledge that, sometimes, what sounds good on paper just doesn't translate to a satisfying player experience.

So, what's the fix? Well, "Test of Time" introduces a crucial option: the ability to stick with a single civilization throughout all three ages. Finally! Each civilization will have a designated "apex age" where they unlock their full potential. In other ages, they'll retain some core strengths while also tapping into an age-appropriate culture tree. Even better, you'll be able to snag unique units or infrastructure from other civs in their apex age. This adds a layer of strategic depth without forcing a complete identity shift.

This new approach emphasizes player choice. Flexibility is the name of the game. Want to stick with the Romans from start to finish? Go for it. Want to experiment with different cultures? The option is there. It really does feel like they're trying to build a system that both honors the legacy of the series and welcomes new players who might have been intimidated by the complexities of the initial release.

But wait, there's more! Victory is no longer confined to the modern era. "Test of Time" allows you to pursue victory from the very first age. A strong early game can now translate into a decisive win, even as early as the second age. And, perhaps most importantly, Firaxis is ditching the much-maligned "legacy paths" in favor of a "triumphs" system. Plus, even if you don't achieve any triumphs, you'll still get default rewards at age transitions. It's a win-win.

Finally, for those who prefer the classic couch multiplayer experience, Dennis Shirk confirmed that hot seat multiplayer is in the works, though a release date remains elusive. All in all, "Test of Time" sounds like a significant step in the right direction for *Civilization VII*. Whether it's enough to win back the critics remains to be seen, but I, for one, am cautiously optimistic. They listened. And that's a good start.