Summary
There’s quite a bit of pressure onCivilization 7’s shoulders already. The first new entry in almost a decade,Civilization 7needs to not only improve upon its predecessor’s award-winning formula but also shake it up enough to justify its existence, all while staying faithful to the series' core ideals. And that’s just the beginning ofCivilization 7’s worries. After capturing the console market withCivilization 6, more eyes than ever will be onCivilization 7’s launch, and that means Firaxis really needs to knock it out of the park, more so than it ever has before.
Living up toCivilization 6’s lofty legacy is no easy feat, and it might actually be better forCivilization 7to try and stand apart from its predecessor as much as possible. New victory conditions, new leader mechanics, and some revised combat systems could all helpCivilization 7to stand out, but none would do the job quite so overtly as a brand-new art style.
Civilization 7 Should Have a New Art Style
Civilization 6’s Art Style Has Become a Little Dated
At the time of its release,Civilization 6’s art stylefelt like a breath of fresh air. Ever since its 1991 debut, theCivilizationfranchise has tried to adopt a more realistic-looking art style. Though its first few entries featured incredibly primitive graphics, 2001’sCivilization 3did a good job of bringing the series into the modern age of gaming, giving its leader models and world map an impressive visual overhaul.
For the next two entries,Civilizationkept trying to push this more realistic visual style forward, eventually ending withCivilization 5in 2010.
These more grounded visuals would often giveCivilizationgamesa fairly serious tone, one that occasionally didn’t fit too well with its more humorous moments. In 2016,Civilization 6made the bold decision to reinvent the series' visuals, trading in a realistic art style for a more cartoony aesthetic, with world leaders being given exaggerated features and proportions, and the world map being given a big splash of color.
Civilization 6’s art style shift was exactly what the franchise needed all those years ago, but nowadays, it’s starting to look a bit dated in an oversaturated market. Though it’ll continue to age much better than its predecessors,Civilization 6’s cartoony art style can look a little simplistic now.
Additionally,Civilization 6’s art style is not quite as unique as it once was, with many games adopting a similar style since its release in 2016, even including games in direct competition such asthe upcomingAra: History Untold.Civilization 7might want to adopt a brand new art style to stand apart from its predecessors and its competition and mark a big leap forward for the franchise.
Civilization 7 Has a Few Different Art Styles to Choose From
There are a few different routesCivilization 7could take when it comes to choosing a new art style. The first option would be to return to the series' more realistic roots, delivering leader models that look as accurate as they can to the real thing, and introducing cutting-edge lighting effects to the game’s overworld.
Alternatively,Civilization 7could go in the completely opposite direction, delivering an overtly stylized aesthetic akin to something likeSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Both of these options wouldhelpCivilization 7stand apartfrom its earlier entries and other strategy games releasing in the near future.
Sid Meier’s Civilization 6
WHERE TO PLAY
Civilization VIoffers new ways to engage with your world: cities now physically expand across the map, active research in technology and culture unlocks new potential, and competing leaders will pursue their own agendas based on their historical traits as you race for one of five ways to achieve victory in the game.Expansive empiresSee the marvels of your empire spread across the map like never before. Each district, wonder, and improvement is built on its own hex, allowing you to customize your city to your heart’s content. From the Commercial Hub to the Spaceport, every district provides unique and powerful bonuses. Pick and choose which districts to build to fit your needs! Build better than your opponents, place yourself strategically for your allies, and become the best civilization on Earth.Active ResearchBoost your civilization’s progress through history to unlock powerful bonuses before anyone else! To advance more quickly, use your units to actively explore, develop your environment, and discover new cultures. Research isn’t just limited to science. Explore the Civics tree to unlock powerful new governments and cultural policies Cultivate the civilization that fits your playstyle, or switch it up every time you play!Dynamic diplomacyAs the game progresses, so do your diplomatic relationships. From primitive first interactions where conflict is a fact of life, to late game alliances and negotiations. Carry influence with nearby city states to gain its diplomatic allegiance and earn game-changing city-state bonuses. Enlist spies to gather crucial intel on rival civilizations, steal precious resources, and even topple governments.
