When I reviewed The Minecraft Movie, I mentioned how Minecraft was the game that brought me and my best friend — and now business partner — Erik together. And while that’s true, it’s not the whole story.

Minecraft definitely gave us our creative outlet. We spent countless hours building ridiculous structures and surviving creeper attacks like it was our full-time job. But the other game that really cemented our friendship? That was Civilization.

While Minecraft was all about creativity, Civ was where we strategized, schemed, and got a bit too competitive for our own good. We started with Civ V, not really knowing what we were doing, but completely addicted to the idea of building empires, researching nukes, and turning small disputes into world wars. Then came Civ VI, and we went even harder — usually racing to see who could get nukes first, while making and breaking alliances like it was a sport.

Minecraft eventually faded out of our regular rotation, but Civilization? We never stopped playing it.

So when Civilization VII dropped, it felt like more than just a new strategy game. It felt like the continuation of something that’s been with me for more than a decade. I jumped in right away. Erik hasn’t really gotten around to it yet (though I’m working on him). But after putting in some solid time, I’ve got thoughts.

Let’s dig into whether Civ VII lives up to its legacy — or if it’s just another turn in the same old game.

Civilization VII: What’s the Same, What’s Different

Let’s not beat around the bush: Civ VII isn’t a radical reinvention. It’s still that classic 4X formula — eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate — that we know and love. The bones are familiar, and that’s not a bad thing.

But it does bring some much-needed polish, and a few genuinely interesting upgrades that make the game feel fresher than I expected.

What’s Actually New?

Here’s what Firaxis brought to the table this time:

🏛️ Dynamic Civilizations

Probably the best new feature. Instead of locking you into a fixed civ personality from turn one, Civs evolve with how you play. So if you start off militaristic but pivot to science, your bonuses shift accordingly. It makes every game feel a little more alive — and a lot more replayable.

🧠 Internal Politics

You’re not just managing cities anymore — you’re juggling politics inside your own empire. Governors now have personalities, agendas, and can even stir up trouble if ignored. It’s a cool addition that adds depth without overwhelming you.

🌍 Terrain Actually Matters

Terrain modifiers go beyond “this tile gives you +1 production.” Now, the landscape can influence diplomacy, events, and even your strategic value to other civs. Some natural wonders can boost your game — others come with risk. It forces you to plan your expansion more carefully.

🤖 Smarter (But Still Not Genius-Level) AI

The AI is noticeably better than at Civ VI’s launch, which had AI leaders acting like confused toddlers with nuclear weapons. Now, they pursue goals more coherently, react to your behavior in more believable ways, and actually make use of terrain and strategy. It’s not perfect, but it’s less frustrating — which is a win.

Where Civ VII Still Struggles

Even with all the good, some classic Civ problems remain:

• Combat can still be a slog. Unit traffic jams, tedious micromanagement in late-game wars, and questionable AI pathfinding are all still here. It’s not broken, just… clunky.
• Multiplayer is buggy. Some things never change. Desyncs, long turn times, and launch-day quirks are part of the deal again.
• No modding support at launch. The modding community is a huge part of what keeps Civ alive between expansions. The fact that tools aren’t ready at launch is a letdown.

Visuals & Sound: It’s All About the Vibe

Visually, Civ VII doesn’t make a huge leap, but it looks cleaner and more readable. The UI is sharper, icons make more sense, and everything runs smoothly even on modest rigs. It’s a case of subtle refinement over flashy graphics — which, honestly, works.

The music? Chef’s kiss. The dynamic soundtrack evolves with your civilization’s progress, and the regional flavor in each civ’s theme is more emotionally impactful than you’d expect. There are moments where the music swells and it just hits. It’s immersive in all the right ways.

What Does It Cost?

Here’s where it stings a bit:

• Sid Meier’s Civilization® VII – $69.99
• Sid Meier’s Civilization® VII Deluxe Edition – $99.99

I went for the Deluxe Edition on PC, and yep — that makes it the most expensive game I’ve ever purchased.

(At least, until GTA VI finally drops… then all bets are off.)

Still, considering how many hours I know I’ll end up putting into this game, I’ll probably get my money’s worth and then some.

The Verdict: It’s Not Reinventing the Game — But It’s Still Worth Playing

For me, Civilization VII is personal. It’s not just about strategy — it’s about memories, late nights, and friendly rivalries that never really die. It’s a continuation of something that’s been part of my life for over a decade. And for that alone, it feels worth it.

Objectively? Civ VII is a thoughtful refinement, not a revolution. But the changes it does bring — dynamic civs, internal politics, and smarter terrain — add layers that make it a deeper, more engaging game. It’s not perfect, and yeah, I’m still waiting for the inevitable expansions and mods to flesh things out.

But right now? It’s the best version of Civilization you can play — and a great excuse to call your best friend and say, “Hey, just one quick game…”

(Then still be playing six hours later.)

Final Verdict

Score: 8.5/10

Civilization VII is a smart, addictive evolution of a strategy classic. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s exactly the kind of game that sneaks up on you and steals your weekend. And maybe the next one, too.

Now if I can just get Erik to finally start a game…

Let’s see who gets the nukes first this time.