The developers behind Civilization 7 have strongly advised even seasoned players to embrace the tutorial during their initial full campaign. In a detailed post on Steam, Ed Beach, the creative director at Firaxis Games, shared his insights and tips for newcomers and veterans alike embarking on their first game of Civilization 7.
"Civilization 7 is a vast game, introducing numerous new systems and mechanics that set it apart from its predecessors," Beach explained. "Given the complexity and novelty, we believe it's crucial to guide players through their first experience to ensure success."
A significant new feature in Civilization 7 is the Ages system, a groundbreaking addition to the strategy series. A complete campaign spans three distinct Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. As players transition from one Age to another, they must select a new civilization, choose which Legacies to carry forward, and adapt to an evolving game world. This system marks a departure from previous Civilization games, adding layers of strategic depth and narrative progression.
Beach also discussed the choice of Small as the default map size for Civilization 7. "We understand that many veteran players enjoy the thrill of large maps with numerous empires," he noted. "However, we chose Small to provide a more focused and manageable learning experience. With three other empires on your continent and additional ones to encounter later, Small Maps offer a comfortable setting to grasp the intricacies of Civilization 7."
He particularly emphasized the benefits of Small Maps for mastering the new Diplomacy system. "A smaller number of opponents simplifies tracking relationships and managing Diplomatic Influence, making it easier to learn how to navigate the diplomatic landscape effectively."
For map type, Beach recommended sticking with Continents Plus. "The additional islands near the coast serve as a gentle introduction to ocean exploration, a central theme of the Exploration Age."
Regarding the tutorial and Advisors, Beach confirmed that the game automatically activates the tutorial upon starting a new game. He strongly encouraged even experienced players to keep the tutorial on for their first full campaign. "The tutorial provides timely tips and explanations as you encounter new elements," he said. "With so many revised and upgraded systems, following the tutorial through all three Ages is highly beneficial."
Civilization 7 features four different Advisors, each guiding players through specific aspects of the game via quests. Beach suggested focusing on one Advisor at a time to avoid information overload.
Once players are comfortable with the game's mechanics, Beach recommended switching the tutorial setting to Only Warnings. "This setting allows Advisors to alert you to potential major setbacks, a feature that even our experienced team at Firaxis uses," he added.
In addition to these insights, Firaxis recently revealed Civilization 7's post-launch roadmap during a special livestream event, where it was announced that Great Britain would be available as DLC. Civilization 7 is set to launch on PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and S on February 11, with the Deluxe Edition offering early access from February 6.
