Summary
Now thatSid Meier’s Civilization 6’s post-launch content stream has come to a close, all eyes are on the next chapter. While no specific details have been revealed just yet, Firaxis has at least said it is currently working onSid Meier’s Civilization 7.Just like with every game before it, this next title will likely shake up the iconic strategy franchise immensely. And one area that definitely needs to be reinvented a bit is the way thatSid Meier’sCivilization’sgovernment system works.
SinceSid Meier’s Civilizationtries to replicate history, the different government types play a major role throughout the player’s conquest. It is something that has been present in almost every single mainline title, with each one doing things slightly different with the concept. But after six games, it feels like the perfect time for Firaxis to actually make this system feel real. Instead of simply being a decision that affects bonuses and special abilities, it should change the way players interact with the entire experience.
Civilization 7 Should Make Governments Truly Game-Changing
Civilization 6 Took Governments Only So Far
InSid Meier’s Civilization 6, Firaxis significantly changed the way governments work. The last time governments truly appeared was inCivilization 3,withCivilization 4and5replacing the concept with civics and social policies. So, its grand return was already a big deal, but the way the studio implemented it made it feel even more exciting. And after eight years of content, the mechanic seems to have been received pretty well by the player base.
Sid Meier’s Civilization 6made it so that governments were a core part of the game’s progression. Players would unlock them viathe brand-new civic tech tree, with each node unlocking new policies that could be enacted. In total, there were 13 different ones split up between the eras, and each gave players new bonuses and diplomatic power to play with. Additionally, each government also dictated the number of policy card slots split up between the four areas that players could use. All of that made choosing a government feel like an important strategic choice, yet something was still missing.
Civilization 7 Has the Chance to Do Something Truly Special
WhileCivilization 6’s governments are a nice additionto the formula, they fall short of actually feeling real. Becoming a Monarchy does not really give players a king, a Democracy lacks the input of the people, Theocracies are not really guided by the church, and Fascism hardly matches its real-world counterpart. The decision may impact the amount of policy cards players get to use, but they do not really do anything meaningful outside of that.
Civilization 7could rectify thatif Firaxis wants to make the game feel truly lifelike. In this game, the government types should actually change the way players interact with the world. Democracies should force players to get the input of their people before enacting certain policies, Theocracies should be given the tools to spread their religion by any means necessary, Monarchies should actually make players feel like they are royals, and Fascism should put players at odds with the rest of the world. It should not stop there either, as these choices could even affect the overall aesthetic, music, and some of the World Wonders players could build.
Doing something like that is not impossible, as seen with other strategy games likeStellaris. The player’s government in that game dictates almost every aspect of the experience, which forces them to mix and match ideas to see what works for them. It may be a massive change for theCivilizationseries, but if done well, it could be exactly what the strategy franchise needs right now.
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.
