Firaxis has released the first major update for Civilization 7, addressing many of the issues that have plagued the game since its launch. The 1.1.0 patch introduces significant improvements to the user interface, combat mechanics, and game balance, potentially offering a compelling reason for players who were initially disappointed to give the 4X sequel another chance.
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| The character symbolizes readiness for action, reflecting the significant enhancements made in Civilization 7's first major update |
UI Improvements Address Player Complaints
One of the most criticized aspects of Civilization 7 at launch was its user interface, which many players found confusing and unpolished. Update 1.1.0 directly tackles these issues by realigning the tech and civic tree displays, adjusting unit tooltips to ensure they appear within screen boundaries, and updating various in-game text to accurately match game functions and mechanics. The update also fixes issues with scrollbars, resource icons, and leader portraits, providing a more intuitive and polished experience.
Modern Cultural Victory Path Rebalanced
The Geographic Society victory path in the Modern Age has received significant attention in this update. Firaxis has made key changes to improve how this victory condition feels and plays, including removing the chance for artifacts to run out completely and making it more challenging for players to achieve this victory when no opponents are pursuing the same path. Explorer units now cost more to slow down early rushing, and fewer artifacts spawn per continent. To balance this, players can now research Wonders to earn additional artifacts.
Military and Combat Refinements
The update brings welcome improvements to military mechanics, particularly to the Army Unpacking action. Players now have the option to select the Commander hex when choosing an unpack direction, which will place the strongest unit in the Commander's hex and arrange remaining units on adjacent hexes based on the current facing direction. Naval units can now disperse Independent Powers, and several combat-related bugs have been fixed, including issues with the Harassment promotion and incorrect Bombard strength for certain unique infantry units.
Memento System Overhaul
Firaxis has rebalanced 13 Mementos to make them more viable choices. Some Mementos were overshadowing leader and civilization abilities and needed to be toned down, while others weren't impactful enough to be selected frequently. For example, the All-T'oqapu Tunic now grants +1 Sight for Scouts adjacent to Mountains (reduced from +3 Sight), while the Merchant's Saddle now grants +1 Movement for Scouts, Merchants, Settlers, and Explorers (changed from +1 Movement and Sight).
Diplomacy and Crisis Management Improvements
The update addresses several diplomatic mechanics, allowing Sanctions to be used at Neutral Relationship levels with costs decreasing as relationships become more hostile. Additionally, Social Policies and Crisis Policies can now be slotted separately when both are unlocked on the same turn, fixing an issue that previously made the screen appear stuck when either table had an empty slot.
Crossroads of the World DLC Launch
Alongside the update, Firaxis has released the first part of the Crossroads of the World DLC, which includes Ada Lovelace as a new leader, Great Britain and Carthage as new civilizations, and four additional Wonders. The DLC is available for USD$29.99 / £24.99. The second half of this DLC is scheduled to arrive on March 25, along with another major update.
Future Roadmap
Firaxis has outlined plans for continued improvement of Civilization 7, with update 1.1.1 coming on March 25. This update will add features such as the much-requested restart button. Beyond that, the developer is working on additional UI improvements, a one more turn button to allow gameplay beyond the Modern Age, new map sizes, mod tools, and more. These ongoing updates demonstrate Firaxis' commitment to addressing player feedback and improving the game experience.
Community Response
The reception to the update has been mixed, with some players appreciating the fixes but others hoping for more extensive changes. Currently, Civilization 6 still regularly has more active players on Steam than its newer counterpart, highlighting the challenges Firaxis faces in winning back the community. However, this first major update represents an important step toward addressing the most pressing issues and potentially rebuilding player confidence in the sequel.