Firaxis and 2K Games have set a release date for Civilization 7, the latest installment in the highly regarded empire management series. It's coming out on February 11, 2025. Below, you can catch a new trailer featuring a quick and easy montage of units, buildings, and historical figures posing. Don't worry, there are still hexes.
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It's been a while since I played Civ, and there's a lot of Civ to remember, so I'm not confident in choosing New Here, but I do think the unit animations are more detailed this time around, with tank battalions and spear-wielding hordes that almost look like they're straight out of Total War. There's also a lot of bad weather, with continent-sized hurricanes and lightning storms.
All that being said, it seems like business as usual, up to a point. You'll build cities, harvest resources, colonise the lands around them, send out armies, build wonders, and celebrate finishing a game with a cathartic exchange of nukes or a trip to another planet. Maybe both.
Oh, wait! There's plenty more on the Steam page, including details on the new leader selection (“one of Civilization's most diverse rosters yet”). For the first time in a series, you'll “choose your leader separately from your civilization, and have the freedom to mix and match gameplay bonuses to create entirely new strategies.” We can also expect “a wide, diverse range of cultural styles represented in building architecture and unit design.” The civilizations in the trailer certainly look quite diverse.
“Drawing on the legacy of a franchise spanning over 30 years, Civilization VII features a wealth of gameplay improvements that will excite series veterans and newcomers alike,” the Steam page summarizes. “A revamped tutorial and improved gameplay systems make it easier than ever to jump into Civilization, while returning players will appreciate a wealth of gameplay improvements. Maneuver your army as one person under the leadership of a commander, unlock progression bonuses for your leaders across multiple play sessions, cross navigable rivers, and more!”
It's coming out again in February. I wonder if Gandhi is a comic book supervillain in this one too?
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