Civilization 7, the latest addition to Firaxis Games’ renowned 4X strategy series, has sparked mixed reactions from its player base, particularly evident in its Steam user reviews. As the game finds its footing amid critiques, particularly regarding its user interface, map diversity, and inclusion of expected features, the CEO of the parent company Take-Two is optimistic about its future reception.

Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two, addressed growing concerns in an IGN interview, expressing assured belief that the dedicated “legacy Civ audience” will warm up to Civilization 7 over time. Zelnick emphasized that early performance metrics, such as an 81 Metacritic score bolstered by numerous high-standard press reviews, reflect a promising start despite the polarized feedback.

“Our Metacritic reviews are solid, and while we have some outliers in press feedback, we expect the sentiments to improve as the community dives deeper into the game,” Zelnick stated. “Each new iteration of Civilization pushes the envelope, causing some nervousness initially, but history shows that hardcore fans eventually appreciate the depth and innovation.”

Firaxis, not oblivious to the critiques, has pledged to improve upon reported issues, such as enhancing the user interface and introducing more varied map types, along with cooperative play options in multiplayer. The game’s novel Age system, a significant shift from previous formulae, is initially unsettling to some but is expected to be a loved feature as players grow accustomed to its expansive possibilities.

Further efforts are underway to improve the game’s standing on Steam, a crucial platform where user feedback significantly influences a game’s success and visibility. Firaxis’ focus on addressing fan concerns and evolving gameplay could be key in refining Civilization 7’s reception.

Civilization 7 introduces a new era dynamic where civilizations transcend through Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages. This transition involves choosing new civilizations and retaining Legacies, a radical shift in gameplay that offers rich strategic depth.

For those eager to delve deep into Civilization 7’s expansive world, IGN provides comprehensive guides on strategies for victory, major changes from Civilization 6, common pitfalls to avoid, and detailed analysis of map and difficulty settings.

Photographer: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

Wesley Yin-Poole, UK News Editor for IGN, can be found on Twitter at @wyp100 or reached confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.