Civilization 6 has been around for the best part of a decade, and in that time, fans have become pretty knowledgeable about which Leaders are the most efficient at earning certain victory types, and which ones aren't worth selecting at all. Though post-launch updates have added new Leaders and Civs, and expansions have added new mechanics that have shaken up the competitive scene, Civilization 6's meta is well-known to many fans, which is why many can't wait for Civilization 7 to wipe the slate clean.
Civilization 7 is introducing a new roster of Leaders and Civs, some of which are brand new to the franchise, and some of which are returning from earlier series entries. But while long-time fans will obviously be more accustomed to Civ's general gameplay formula than series newcomers, Civilization 7's new mechanics are sure to throw a few curveballs at even the most seasoned Civ veterans. And those curveballs are sure to make Civilization 7's day-one meta rather exciting.
Civilization 7's Victory Types Could Be a Game-Changer
Firaxis is tearing apart age-old Civilization customs in Civilization 7, and the changes to the Victory Types could usher in a golden age.
Predicting Civilization 7's Launch Day Meta
Civilization 7's Amina Could Be The Best Option for an Economic Victory
Originally a Great General in Civilization 6, Amina returns in Civilization 7, where she's been promoted to full Leader status. Amina's Leader abilities are as follows:
- +1 Resource Capacity in Cities
- +1 Gold per Age for each Resource assigned to a City
- +5 Combat Strength to all Units located on Plains and Desert tiles
With these Leader abilities, Amina looks to be one of the best options for players seeking an Economic victory. Amina's +1 to Resource Capacity allows her Cities to make use of one extra Resource tile each, which can drastically improve a City's science and gold output, its production, and its growth. This goes hand in hand with Amina's ability to earn an extra +1 Gold per Age for each of the resources she has assigned to her Cities, which should ensure bustling Civs are rewarded with a consistent flow of cash.
Amina's +5 Combat Strength to all Units on Plains and Desert Tiles will also allow her to be a formidable force in her bias region. This ability should allow players to defend their caravans and resource tiles more efficiently, which is an essential part of the journey towards an Economic victory.
Civilization 7's Confucius Could Be a Simple But Effective Expansionist
Much like Amina, Confucius has been promoted in Civilization 7 following his lengthy stint of being a Great Prophet in Civ 6. Confucius' Leader abilities are as follows:
- +25% Growth Rate in all Cities
- +2 Science from Specialists
These abilities are incredibly simple, but they might also end up being some of the most effective at launch. A 25% boost to Growth Rate means that players can expand their Cities quite a bit faster than their opponents, and in the right hands, that can allow players to quickly hold dominance over the world map. A +2 Science yield from Specialists is also a simple but effective ability, allowing players to unlock powerful technologies earlier. The simplicity of Confucius' abilities might also make him a good option for newcomers to the Civilization franchise.
All Civilization 7 Special Editions & Pre-Order Bonuses
There are four Civilization 7 special editions players can buy, granting exclusive rewards, guaranteed DLC, and even Civ 7 Advanced Access.
Civilization 7's Machiavelli Is Rewarded For Using Diplomacy
Considered one of the founders of modern political science, Machiavelli might be a good choice for those looking to manipulate and schmooze their way to victory in Civilization 7. His Leader abilities are:
- Gain +3 Influence per Age
- Gain 50 Gold per Age when proposed Diplomatic Actions are accepted, OR gain 100 Gold per Age when Diplomatic Actions are rejected
- Ignore the Relationship requirements needed to declare Formal Wars
- The ability to levy Military Units from City-States even if he isn't Suzerain of them
Machiavelli's playstyle is all about getting in the weeds of Civilization 7's Diplomacy system, proposing actions, and using the extra cash earned from those to go to war. Machiavelli's ability to ignore the Relationship requirements for Formal Wars means he can essentially declare war at any time without facing any Warmongering penalties, and his ability to levy Military Units from City-States means he should always be relatively well-equipped.
Civilization 7's Napoleon Could Be a Fierce Military Leader Once Again
Napoleon has always had a strong presence in the Civilization franchise, and that's likely to be the case yet again in Civilization 7. Napoleon's Leader abilities in Civ 7 are fairly similar to those in Civ 6, albeit with a few significant tweaks:
- +1 Movement for all Land Units
- Defeating an opponent's Unit gives Napoleon Culture that's equal to 50% of the Unit's Combat Strength
Napoleon's Leader abilities in Civilization 7 are an interesting tweak to Civ 6's, which gave his Industrial and Modern-era Land Units +1 Movement and +5 Combat Strength. In Civ 7, all of Napoleon's Land Unit s, regardless of Age, get a +1 to Movement. Napoleon's new Culture-related ability should also help players work towards a Cultural victory, with each enemy defeat adding more of the resource to their reserve.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 77%
- Released
- February 11, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ // Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Mild Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Firaxis Games
- Publisher(s)
- 2K
WHERE TO PLAY
The award-winning strategy game franchise returns with a revolutionary new chapter. Sid Meier's Civilization® VII empowers you to build the greatest empire the world has ever known!
In Civilization VII, your strategic decisions shape the unique cultural lineage of your evolving empire. Rule as one of many legendary leaders from throughout history and steer the course of your story by choosing a new civilization to represent your empire in each Age of human advancement.
Construct cities and architectural wonders to expand your territory, improve your civilization with technological breakthroughs, and conquer or cooperate with rival civilizations as you explore the far reaches of the unknown world. Pursue prosperity in an immersive solo experience or play with others in online multiplayer.
Whether you choose to follow a path rooted in history or reimagine possibilities to chart your own way forward, build something you believe in and create a legacy that echoes through the Ages in Civilization VII.
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- Yes - all platforms, restrictions apply
- Cross Save
- Yes, via 2K account
- Franchise
- Sid Meier's Civilization
- Number of Players
- 1-8 players
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- PC Release Date
- February 11, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- February 11, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- February 11, 2025
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
- February 11, 2025
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Genre(s)
- Grand Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy, 4X
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- Local Co-Op Support
- No
