Summary
- Variety in leadership is key in 4X strategy games like Civilization, allowing for diverse gameplay experiences and replay value.
- Civilization 6 set a high standard with 67 unique leaders, including lesser-known historical figures to add to its gameplay depth.
- To continue this succcess, Civilization 7 should continue this trend of featuring more obscure leaders.
The strategy 4X genre is one of the most competitive areas in gaming, and finding a unique niche where an IP can shine brighter than the competition is vital to a developer's survival in an ever-changing landscape. From intriguing combat mechanics to the more nuanced intricacies of playing god behind a virtual civilization, several components go into crafting a state-of-the-art title that gamers love. Sid Meier's Civilization is one of the most visible franchises in this genre, and the series owes a lot of its success to the developer's ability to offer a wide range of past world leaders in its gameplay. Civilization 6 advanced this selling point for the franchise as Firaxis tapped into some lesser-known historical figures to further its variety, and Civilization 7 would do well to continue this trend.
It's said that variety is the spice of life, and the axiom rings true in the gaming industry now more than ever before. In the case of strategy, gameplay needs to avoid the semblance of repetition, since gamers crave a slightly different challenge with each playthrough of their favorite titles. Sid Meier's Civilization has been at the forefront of this charge for replay value since its launch in 1991, solidifying its status as one of the deepest IPs in the strategy category through its numerous Victory Conditions and leader diversity. There's every reason to expect the winning formula to continue in Civilization 7, and Civilization 6's leadership quirk of semi-obscure leaders should carry over to the next iteration of the franchise.
Enemy AI Could Make or Break Civilization 7's Gameplay
Civilization 7's gameplay will have a lot of moving parts, but AI could be the ultimate deciding factor for experienced players.
Civilization 6's Leader Flexibility Should be Emulated in Civilization 7
Firaxis' Refreshing Exploration of History's Less-Explored Crevices
Nailing the leadership component in an era-focused strategy game comes with its problems. In Civilization's case, given its historical premise, nailing the strengths and accompanying weaknesses of its rulers is one of the most difficult hurdles for Firaxis to scale past on paper. However, the developer has done an admirable job of staying on the right side of history thus far and has taken things to the next level by delving deeper into history than conventional wisdom permits. Gamers would typically expect the likes of Alexander the Great to feature in Civilization (as he has), but it's the inclusion of the less famous leaders that gave Civilization 6 an edge.
Where Civilization 5 already had an impressive selection of rulers in history, from Augustus Caesar to Gandhi, Civilization 6 marked a remarkable jump in variety in the cast of leaders previously seen in the franchise. Much of Civilization 5's lineup was rooted in figures who dominate the pages of history books. Just a few years later, the floodgates of the leader gimmick were fully blown open by Civilization 6. Through expansion packs such as the Leader Pass and Great Negotiators Pack, Civilization 6 boasts a whopping 67 rulers - by far the most in Sid Meier's Civilization history.
More Obscure Leaders Could Give Civilization 7 Even More Replay Value
Each of these rulers has strengths that open up several paths to victory, and they ensure Civilization 6's replay value long after conquering the world with any given nation. For instance, Hammurabi is an odds-on favorite for a science victory, while Kupe's early game exploration with the Maori generates copious amounts of culture. There are many things Civilization 6 had going for it, but the diversity of its leadership deserves a lot of credit for its success.
In the spirit of sticking to a winning formula, Civilization 7 should emulate its predecessor's example - although Civ 6's impressive depth means this will be a tough task for Firaxis. Still, the diversity problem is a great one for Civilization 7 to have, and given the success that Civilization 6's leader lineup generated, it stands to reason Firaxis will at least maintain (if not expand) the previous game's status quo. The gameplay potential of focusing on comparatively obscure figures is immense, and doubling down on this strategy could yield even more results for the Civilization franchise.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 89 /100 Critics Rec: 92%
- Released
- October 21, 2016
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Drug Reference, Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Firaxis Games
- Publisher(s)
- 2K Games
- Engine
- Unity
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
- Franchise
- Civilization
