Home News Civilization 7 Criticized as a \"$100 Beta Test\": Players Voice Their Discontent

Civilization 7 Criticized as a \"$100 Beta Test\": Players Voice Their Discontent

by Lucy Mar 18,2025

Sid Meier's Civilization VII launched to a storm of criticism, with players widely deeming it unfinished and more akin to a beta test than a completed game. The premium edition's $100 price tag only exacerbated this frustration, fueling vocal complaints about numerous issues.

These concerns go beyond simple technical glitches; they encompass fundamental gameplay mechanics, design flaws, and generally unpolished features. The developers' admission that certain aspects were still works in progress further fueled player dissatisfaction.

A particularly glaring example involved the advertised "unique" British unit, which turned out to be a generic model identical to standard units. While developers promised an update to rectify this, the explanation did little to soothe the angry community.

Model og british shipImage: reddit.com

This incident underscored broader concerns about the game's premature release. Many potential buyers opted to wait, viewing the negative reception as confirmation of their decision.

Civilization VII currently boasts "Mixed" reviews on Steam, a testament to the divided player base. While patches are being released to address bugs and improve performance, their pace hasn't quelled the discontent.

The game's premium price point significantly amplified the negative reaction. Players feel $100 is unjustifiable for a game riddled with problems, especially one feeling more like early access than a polished final product. This has sparked wider conversations about the industry trend of rushing games to market at the expense of quality.

In response, the development team pledged to address the most pressing issues through future patches, focusing on stability, gameplay refinement, and visual inconsistencies like the infamous British unit. However, skepticism remains high among many players, uncertain if these efforts will restore their faith in the game.