In an effort to pique the public’s interest a little more, the latest installment of Civilization is rolling out a new update.
The latest update for Sid Meier’s Civilization VII arrived today. Firaxis had previously revealed most of the update’s new features, including the most frequently requested feature: the ability to lead a single civilization through the entire campaign. However, the studio had a surprise in store. As part of the update, the military genius Alexander the Great will be added to the base game for free. As one would expect from one of the most famous generals of the ancient world, Alexander the Great’s playstyle is entirely focused on warfare. He receives a natural +2 combat strength bonus for his land military units. His goal is to make a name for himself. Settlements are transformed into cities named after him, and the wonders built in cities outside the capital provide bonuses to his civilization.
He gains +2 control points for every city in which a wonder is built outside the capital, and these cities receive a 10% production and culture bonus. Unique military units gain an additional +1 combat strength for every wonder built outside the capital. Thus, monuments that glorify Alexander the Great’s power also grant him additional power. His introduction also brings a new, unique hoplite unit and a new wonder: the Oracle. This update includes broader new features, such as a revamped victory system that removes traditional paths and focuses on making more interesting decisions, as well as a triumph system featuring optional objectives that grant extra bonuses upon completion.
This is undoubtedly a significant update, and Firaxis is promoting its revolutionary features heavily. However, it remains to be seen whether these features will be enough to change the game’s “Mixed” rating on Steam. For months, the game’s Steam reviews have been split exactly 50-50, and the complaints causing this division aren’t limited to the controversial age-switch system. They also pertain to the user experience and underdeveloped secondary mechanics. These issues contribute to the feeling that Civilization VII hit the market too soon.
Although the game is divisive, it was a commercial success for Firaxis. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledged that they had botched the era system but said the game was a profitable venture.
Source: PCGamer, Steam, Steam, Firaxis
