Civilization 7is doing quite a bit to differentiate itself from its predecessors. While only time will tell justhow much it departs fromCivilization 6and otherSid Meiergames, it’s already clear how ambitious Firaxis is getting with the series' formula, introducing aggressive new features that could alter how the game is played on a fundamental level.
Among these transformative features is the Ages system, which will replaceCivilization 6’s Eras. Eras are, in essence, chapters that eachCivilization 6campaign is broken into, tied to both the in-game year and certain advancements made by the player in the realms of technology, culture, et cetera. There are a total of eight Eras in the base game ofCiv 6, but this is being truncated to just three Ages inCivilization 7, with more in-game “chapters” being traded for more robust changes in gameplay, as each Age will have a more significant impact on how players interface withCivilization 7’s mechanics on the road to victory.
Why Civilization 7’s Exploration Age Has the Most Potential
How Civilization 7’s Exploration Age Compares to the Others
Civilization 7’s Ages systemwill take players through three distinct chapters in each campaign:
Players will spend the Antiquity Age establishing the ground rules for their civilization, while the Modern Age will be characterized by rapid technological expansion and global conflicts. But the Exploration Age will be all about expansion, spreading a civilization’s culture, religion, or policies to new lands, trading with other societies, and, in all likelihood, bumping up against other empiresthroughCivilization 7’s warfare system.
While each of these Ages will likely have equal importance in a given campaign, the Exploration Age seems like it could be particularly impactful. Whether a player is seeking victory through the Science, Military, Culture, or Economy paths, it’s likely that the expansion taking place during Exploration will play a key role. For instance, if a player doesn’t take the opportunity to aggressively spread its cultural influence to other countries, then they could be at a great disadvantage during the Modern Age, when culture is more solidified. In this way, the Exploration Age upholdstraditionalCivilizationgameplayby focusing on growth, while also being uniquely paced due to its compartmentalization.
How the Exploration Age May Synergize with Other Civilization 7 Ages
Naturally, the Exploration Age will not be an island: how it plays out will surely be influenced by the Antiquity Age, and the decisions made during Exploration will subsequently inform a civilization’s performance in the Modern Age. It will certainly be interesting to see how this actually works in practice, asCivilization 7’s complex systemscould combine to make for virtually endless scenarios, especially considering how choices made during each age can unlock different civilization paths in the following one. Players will be either rewarded or punished based on their strategy during the Antiquity Age, as they will be rewarded or punished for their decisions during the Exploration Age.
The interplay between these three distinct Ages is what will be most interesting to see in the final product, as well as one of the hardest elements for Firaxis to get right; with just three chapters per campaign, there will be an expectation forCivilization 7to provide significant differencesacross each Age. Crucially, these differences need to strike a balance between unexpected and rewarding, surprising players while still being logically linked to decisions they made in previous Ages. IfCivilization 7can do this, then there’s every chance that the Age of Exploration will be especially pivotal, possibly being make-or-break for any given run.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
WHERE TO PLAY
The award-winning strategy game franchise returns with a revolutionary new chapter.Sid Meier’s Civilization® VIIempowers you to build the greatest empire the world has ever known!InCivilization 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 inCivilization VII.
