Is Civilization VII Worth Buying Now?

When Sid Meier's Civilization VII launched in early 2025, fans were decidedly lukewarm about it. Instead of universal acclaim, Firaxis faced a deeply divided community and a persistent "Mixed" review score on Steam.

Complaints ranged from technical bugs to fundamental design choices that alienated long-time fans. But now, with the release of the massive November "Tides of Power" update and the holiday sales season upon us, I'd like to approach the obvious questions: Is the game finally fixed? And if so, is it worth buying?

This breakdown analyzes the game's tumultuous launch, dissects the sweeping changes of the latest update, and delivers a clear verdict on whether it's time to finally add Civ 7 to your library.

Part I: Why Civ 7 Divided Fans

To properly evaluate Civilization VII today, we have to understand its state at launch. Upon release, the community verdict was harsh. Players critiqued the game as buggy, with a clunky user interface and a general feeling of being unfinished or even soulless in terms of its design.

After cratering to "Mostly Negative" on Steam, the game slowly rose to "Mixed" via patches, but the damage to the game's reputation lingered on. Beyond bugs, two core design errors became lightning rods for criticism:

The "Civ Switching" Controversy: This mandatory mechanic forces players to change civilizations when transitioning eras. This shattered the core fantasy of guiding a single empire from the Stone Age to the Space Age. This is what drove many players away at the start, because essentially you couldn't play a Civ game like a Civ game.
The Ages System: Critics argued that the Ages system resets progress and kills momentum. This disrupts the traditional 4X power curve, leading to player apathy. Over on the CivFanatics forum one user noted: “In the last third of an age, I feel an apathy... All my buildings will lose adjacencies in 20-30 turns and become obsolete drains on my growth.”

Part II: The November Update

The November update (Version 1.3.0) is Firaxis's first major attempt to stop the bleeding. It addresses launch-day complaints directly and introduces substantial content to reinvigorate the gameplay loop.

The most notable changes are as follows:

Oceanic Overhaul: A complete rethink of sea-based play, including updated naval combat, new coastal settlement mechanics, and new resources to make settling by the sea strategically rewarding.
Quality-of-Life Wins: Significant UI improvements and crucial AI tweaks. Notably, a rapid follow-up patch tuned the AI to use "Sanctions" less often, ending the diplomatic spam that plagued the game after release.
Free "Tides of Power" DLC: Headlining the update is the new leader Edward Teach (Blackbeard) and the Republic of Pirates. (This DLC is free for all players to claim until January 5th.)

The new pirate-focused gameplay has received praise from many. Teach's unique ability allows naval units to capture defeated enemy vessels rather than destroying them. This leans into the game's "leader-centric" design, offering a playstyle focused on raiding and naval supremacy that feels distinct and fresh compared to what the game offered before. In sum, its a step towards fixing the "soulless" nature of the original release.

Part III: Buy, Wait, or Skip?

Even after the "Tides of Power" overhaul, the answer isn't straightforward. Your decision hinges on a single polarizing question: How do you feel about mandatory civilization switching?

If your biggest objection is the mandatory civ-switching, you should wait. While the game has improved, this design remains the centerpiece. Firaxis has confirmed they are testing a "one Civ" mode for a potential release next year, but as one Reddit user warned, "That doesn't mean it's guaranteed to come if their testing fails."

If you are intrigued by the idea of adapting your strategy by evolving through eras, the game is in its best state yet. The gameplay is far more polished, and recent UI improvements (like showing net resource gain when placing buildings) make city planning far more intuitive. If you can look past the tradition break, there is a deep strategy game here to enjoy.

The most common refrain across the internet is simple: "Wait for a sale." Many players feel the full price is still too high for a product that feels like it's evolving. Waiting for a discount mitigates the risk and brings the price in line with the game's current state.

Final Thoughts

For most people, the verdict on Civilization VII is to wait for a deep sale.

The game is improving, and the November update is a massive step in the right direction. However, its core design remains divisive, and the endgame still feels unfinished.

Add Civilization VII to your wishlist, wait for the inevitable holiday discount, and get it then. You'll have a rapidly improving game at a fair price and, if you buy before Jan 5th, you'll acquire the excellent pirate-themed DLC for free.

Gainsense.com