The Ultimate Evolution of Strategy Games: Discover Why Civ 7 Is a Game-Changer Beyond Baldur's Gate 3

Highlights

The upcoming release of Firaxis' Civilization 7 has generated immense excitement among fans who eagerly anticipate a game that emulates the triumphant elements of Baldur's Gate 3 regarding its engaging gameplay, extensive content, and absence of microtransactions.

Firaxis has a track record of enhancing its games through expansions. However, fans are eagerly anticipating Civilization 7 to deliver a comprehensive and refined experience right from the start, taking inspiration from the success of Baldur's Gate 3. The triumph of Baldur's Gate 3 has the power to influence not only the future of CRPGs but also the wider gaming industry. Therefore, Firaxis is determined to make a lasting impression with Civilization 7 as it continues to be developed.

Fans eagerly await the release of Civilization 7, the newest installment in the beloved franchise from Firaxis. After a lengthy gap since the previous entry, speculations arise regarding the lessons learned from years of gaming and how they will be integrated into this upcoming game. Baldur's Gate 3, a recent release acclaimed for breaking away from problematic industry trends, sets a high standard that many hope Firaxis will match.

Firaxis has long been a leader in the niche genre of 4X strategy games. The Civilization series, known for its accessible gameplay and immersive experience, strikes a balance between ease of play and strategic depth. However, previous releases have often required multiple expansions to fully realize their potential. With Baldur's Gate 3 demonstrating a complete and uncompromising gaming experience, free from fragmented content, live-service models, or microtransactions, there is optimism that Firaxis and similar studios will take note and strive for the same level of excellence.

Like Baldur's Gate 3 for Larian, Civ 7 Could be Firaxis' Opus Magnum

Baldur's Gate 3 has achieved an incredible triumph. Despite initial doubts about its lengthy early access period and ambitious scope, Larian Studios has delivered a game that has received exceptional praise, earning a 97 on Metacritic and amassing nearly 1,000,000 active players on Steam. This game elevates every aspect of CRPGs to new heights, including voice-acting, branching storylines, level design, and fidelity. Its release has given hope to many that other genres will follow suit, offering more robust and standalone games. Civilization 7, in particular, has the potential to become the equivalent of Baldur's Gate 3 in the realm of 4X games.

To achieve this, Civilization 7 must prioritize polish and depth. While Firaxis has a history of expanding its titles through paid expansions and smaller-scale DLC, as seen with Civilization 6 and its Frontier Pass, the next installment should aim to impress with its extensive content and an evolved version of the series' gameplay. Larian's approach of refining the systems from Divinity: Original Sin 2 for Baldur's Gate 3 serves as a prime example of studio growth. Although expecting another studio to make similar improvements game after game may seem naive, Firaxis has a development cycle that is almost a year longer than Larian's, and with or without early access, Civilization 7 has the potential to become the definitive genre experience, much like Baldur's Gate 3.

The Secret to More Sales Could be Less Nickle-and-Diming

Firaxis, the company behind Civilization 5 and 6, faces the challenge of changing its monetization strategy. Unlike Larian Studio's commitment to avoiding additional purchasable content for Baldur's Gate 3, Firaxis is unlikely to follow suit. However, it is possible that Firaxis will aim to defy its reputation for needing multiple expansions to realize a game's full potential. Meanwhile, Baldur's Gate 3's success in a niche genre has garnered mainstream appeal, potentially influencing the future of gaming beyond just CRPGs. As fans eagerly await news on Civilization 7, Firaxis will be working hard to make a lasting impact on the industry.

Sid Meier's Civilization 7 is currently in development.