One of the biggest highlights of theCivilizationfranchise since its very debut back in 1991 has been its varied victory conditions. In the very firstCivilizationgame, players had a total of three ways to win: Space Race, Conquest, and Time. The latter of these simply required players to outlast their opponents.
Over time,Civilization’s victory conditions have gotten increasingly more complex, with the first game’s parameters receiving continual updates and refreshes over the years, and a total of three new victory conditions being added from scratch. Now, an averageCivilization 6match can be won via a Military, Scientific, Diplomatic, Religious, or Cultural victory, though some are a tad more satisfying than others. And whileCivilization6’s Military Victoryis one of the former, it could be made even better inCivilization 7through the introduction of some grittier abilities.
It’s Time for Civilization 7 To Use Underhanded Tactics
Civilization’s Combat Can Feel Stale
Generally speaking,theCivilizationfranchiseboasts a simple yet effective combat system, one that works very well with its 4X turn-based strategy structure. That being said,Civilization’s combat can get a tad stale after a little while, especially when players are hit with the sudden realization thatCiv’s combat essentially boils down to simply which unit’s number is bigger.
That’s not to say that there’s no strategy behindCivilization’s combat. A lot is required from a player when they’re aiming for a successfulCivilizationMilitary Victory. Players need to carefully manage their units, ensuring that each unit’s specific strengths and weaknesses are accounted for, and that each unit’s purpose synergizes well with the rest of the army. Unit upgrades also add a nice layer of complexity toCivilization’s combat, giving a unit more versatility or giving them a more specialized purpose on the battlefield.
But even with all that in mind,Civilization’s actual on-screen combat can feel a little lackluster, especially during a turn that sees multiple battles occur in quick succession. While there’s depth to be found inCivilization’s unit typesand unit upgrades, there’s not too much strategy behind where the player places their troops on the map, aside from some slight terrain effects, and there’s no real variety in how the actual units themselves attack.
How Civilization 7 Can Introduce More Depth and Grit to its Combat
Earninga Military Victory inCivilizationcan be incredibly satisfying, with the player physically wiping their competition from the face of the Earth one by one. But there are ways thatCivilization 7could make its Military Victory even more compelling, and a great way to do this is by honing in on the dirtier side of war. A franchise that isn’t afraid to be a little satirical,Civilizationhas occasionally made some tongue-in-cheek references to the underhanded side of war, and now it’s time for the franchise to fully embrace that and infuse it into the game’s combat system.
The best way to do this would be by giving certain units some more complex abilities that genuinely shake up howCivilization 7’s combat works. For instance,Civilization 7could introduce an ambush ability that lets units turn invisible if they have the right equipment and get the drop on unsuspecting enemy units, similar toCivilization 6’s stealth units, but a little more deadly and generalized. Traps would be another interesting addition toCiv 7’s combat, with them being available for both defense and offense. Traps were already a part ofCivilization 6’s Zombies Defense mode, but they were never added to the base game. WhileCivilization 7shouldn’t start letting players commit war crimes, it would add a new layer of complexity to the series' combat by introducing guerrilla tactics like these.
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.
