Take-Two Boss Says 'Legacy' Civilization Audience Will Eventually Come Around on Civilization 7 Amid 'Mixed' Steam User Reviews

Civilization 7's rocky launch hasn't deterred Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, who remains confident in the game's long-term appeal. Despite a "mixed" Steam user review rating and criticism focusing on the UI, map variety, and missing features, Zelnick believes the core Civilization fanbase will ultimately embrace the game.

The game's early access release, primarily targeting dedicated Civilization players, has seen vocal feedback highlighting these concerns. Firaxis has acknowledged these issues, promising UI improvements, the addition of multiplayer teams, and expanded map options.

Zelnick points to a Metacritic score of 81 and numerous reviews exceeding 90 as evidence of the game's overall quality. While acknowledging negative reviews, including a harsh Eurogamer critique, he emphasizes that player sentiment tends to improve with extended playtime. He suggests the initial apprehension stems from significant changes implemented in Civ 7, such as the novel three-Age campaign structure with simultaneous Age Transitions. This system, unprecedented in the Civilization series, involves selecting a new civilization, choosing retained Legacies, and experiencing world evolution at each transition.

While Zelnick's optimism is rooted in the belief that players will grow to appreciate the innovative changes, Firaxis faces the immediate challenge of improving the game's reception on Steam. The platform's user review rating significantly impacts a game's visibility and overall success, making addressing player concerns a critical priority.