Sid Meier's Civilization VII

Game images by RAWG

Sid Meier's Civilization VII

Firaxis Games

Windows; macOS; Linux; PlayStation 5; PlayStation 4; Xbox Series X|S; Xbox One; Nintendo Switch; Nintendo Switch 2Paid (premium base game) with optional paid DLC/editions and in-game purchases

Health Score

DECENT

Official Website Watch Gameplay

About This Game

Super Review

Sid Meier's Civilization VII offers a deep strategy experience for parents of older children and teens, fostering critical thinking through empire management, diplomacy, and warfare. While its turn-based pace reduces stress, parents should be mindful of extensive optional purchases and online interactions with strangers. It's a qualified fit, best with clear family rules.

Super Review

Parent verdict

Sid Meier's Civilization VII is a decent, but not outstanding, choice for families seeking a complex strategy game for players aged 9 and up. The core gameplay promotes valuable skills like long-term planning and historical understanding. However, the game's business model, featuring numerous DLCs and in-game purchases, coupled with online multiplayer exposing players to strangers, warrants careful parental oversight. It works best for families willing to set clear boundaries on spending and online interactions.

What players actually do

Players strategically guide a civilization from ancient origins to modern times, making decisions about expansion, research, and governance that shape their empire's destiny.
Players build and manage cities, constructing various buildings and wonders to advance their society, balancing resource production with technological and cultural growth.
Players engage in diplomacy and trade with other civilizations, choosing to forge alliances or wage war, requiring careful negotiation and tactical combat.

Where it shines

The game strongly promotes strategic thinking, long-term planning, and reading comprehension as players navigate complex systems and historical contexts.
Its turn-based pacing allows for thoughtful decision-making without the pressure of real-time action, making it accessible for players who prefer a less frantic experience.
Cross-play and multiplayer options allow players to engage with friends across different platforms, fostering social play in a strategic setting.

Parent watch-outs

The business model includes a premium base game with optional paid DLCs, special editions, and in-game purchases, which can significantly increase the total cost over time.
Online multiplayer exposes players to interactions with strangers, which carries inherent social risks and requires parental supervision or strict privacy settings.
The game contains ESRB descriptors like Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Mild Language, Mild Violence, and Suggestive Themes, aligning with its E10+ rating.

Family rules worth setting

Set clear budgets for any additional content purchases (DLC, cosmetic items) and ensure parental controls are enabled on platforms to prevent unauthorized spending.
Establish guidelines for online multiplayer interactions, encouraging play with known friends and utilizing in-game communication moderation features if available.

Talk about this

Discuss the different historical civilizations, leaders, and technological advancements encountered in the game, connecting them to real-world history and geography.
Talk about the ethics of diplomacy and warfare in the game, exploring the consequences of different decisions and how they reflect on real-world conflicts or alliances.

Play style

Civilization VII is a slow-paced, turn-based strategy game focused on long-term planning and decision-making. Players will spend sessions managing cities, researching technologies, and engaging with other civilizations, often requiring significant reading and menu navigation. Difficulty is adjustable. It supports both an immersive solo experience and online multiplayer, allowing for cooperative or competitive play with friends or strangers. Younger players may need help understanding complex mechanics or victory conditions.

Score Breakdown

Positive Aspects

Educational Value

3/5

Creativity

3/5

Pro-Social

3/5

Risk Factors

Addictive Monetization

3/5

Time Pressure / FOMO

1/5

Social Risk

3/5

Content Intensity

2/5

Why this rating

Educational Value

3/5

Civilization VII earns a score of 3 for its significant educational value, promoting strategic thinking, planning, and reading comprehension. Players learn about historical civilizations, technologies, and diplomatic strategies in a compelling, interactive format.

Creativity

3/5

With a score of 3, the game offers solid opportunities for creativity as players design and develop their unique civilizations. They shape their empire's cultural lineage, build architectural wonders, and forge their own path to victory through various strategies.

Pro-Social

3/5

The pro-social score of 3 reflects the game's multiplayer options which enable cooperation and strategic alliances with other players. While competitive play is central, successful diplomacy and collaborative strategies are often key to victory, fostering social interaction.

Addictive Monetization

3/5

The score of 3 for addictive monetization stems from the game's premium base game, which is supplemented by numerous optional paid DLCs, special editions, and in-game purchases. This 'live-service' model can lead to ongoing spending beyond the initial purchase.

Social Risk

3/5

A social risk score of 3 is assigned due to the online multiplayer component, which allows players to interact with strangers. While cross-play is a positive feature, it means exposure to a wider online community, requiring parental vigilance for younger players.

Negatives

•Paid DLC, special/Founders editions and optional in-game purchases increase cost over time
•online multiplayer exposes players to interaction with strangers
•some early user feedback reported UI issues and bugs at launch.

Positives

•Promotes strategic thinking, planning and reading
•turn-based pacing (less real-time stress)
•cross-play and multiplayer options allow playing with friends
•mod support and cosmetic personalization available.

Gameplay Videos

Civilization 7 Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 In 4K - 31 Minutes Of Gameplay (Civ 7)

Arekkz Gaming

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Official Ratings

E10+

ESRB

Alcohol and Tobacco ReferenceMild LanguageMild ViolenceSuggestive Themes

Users Interact; In-Game Purchases. citeturn2search1

PEGI

ViolenceBad LanguageIn-Game Purchases. citeturn4search3

Age Fit

ℹ️Ages 3-5

Not appropriate due to significant complexity, extensive reading, and strategic demands.

ℹ️Ages 6-8

Generally too complex for independent play; may be introduced with substantial parental guidance for basic concepts only.

ℹ️Ages 9-12

Generally suitable with supervision. Encourages logical thinking, but parental controls for online play and purchase monitoring are essential.

ℹ️Ages 13-15

Appropriate for most teens, fostering strategic thinking and reading comprehension. Advise caution with online interactions and optional purchases.

ℹ️Ages 16-18

Appropriate for mature teens, allowing full enjoyment of features like multiplayer and mods, while remaining aware of paid content and online community dynamics.