The Ultimate Game-Changer: Unleashing the Untamed Power of Barbarians in Civ 7

Highlights

Civilization 7 should give the Barbarians a more significant role, as they have been an underdeveloped and annoying nuisance in previous installments.

In Civilization 7, players anticipate more than superficial additions. Significant changes, such as the introduction of a fresh leader, altered victory criteria, or enhancements to beloved characters, could have a profound effect.

To elevate the franchise to unprecedented levels, it is crucial for the Barbarians to undergo an evolution and be transformed into a playable faction. This would grant players the opportunity to partake in monumental conquests and unleash their vast hordes upon the world.

In the history of Humanity, Civilization players have controlled powerful nations led by famous leaders in search of victory. The franchise has been extremely successful, earning numerous awards and gaining international popularity. However, there is always room for improvement, and Civilization 7 should aim to change the mechanics established by its predecessors with regards to the Barbarians. These constant annoyances to players could play a much larger role in the new game, and Firaxis has the necessary tools to make it happen.

After a long seven-year wait, Civilization 7 is currently in development. As anticipation builds, fans of the Civilization series are hoping for more than just cosmetic additions in the latest installment. Civilization 6 received high praise, setting a high standard for its successor to follow. With such high expectations, Firaxis must introduce significant changes to make Civilization 7 an impressive release. This could include adding a new leader, introducing new victory conditions, or updating familiar characters. One aspect that has not been fully utilized, the Barbarians, could bring excitement to the game if their mechanics are revamped to enhance gameplay.

Civilization's Barbarians Have been Underrepresented

Civilization's esteemed reputation in the gaming industry stems from its enjoyable portrayal of history. Players have the opportunity to utilize a variety of historical weapons, ranging from ancient phalanxes to powerful modern-day nukes. However, a common complaint among fans is the lack of attention given to the Barbarians. At the beginning of strategy games like Civilization, players typically focus their efforts on economic growth for their countries. Unfortunately, the Barbarians continuously pose a threat by sending scouts and hostile units, demanding significant resources to combat them. In addition, they are extremely difficult to negotiate with.

The introduction of the New Frontier Pass partially addressed this issue by allowing players to interact with the Barbarians in Civilization. Players now have the option to offer bribes or pay ransoms in order to deter attacks on their cities and trade routes. Furthermore, with sufficient amount of Gold, these characters can be recruited to attack other nations. The Barbarian Clans game mode in the New Frontier Pass injected much-needed personality into the Barbarians, but there is potential for Firaxis to further enhance their portrayal and transform them into more than just an inconvenience engineered by the game mechanics.

While all other groups in Civilization evolve, the Barbarians remain stagnant throughout Civilization 6's gameplay. They are solely focused on pillaging, which is historically accurate. However, it would not be unreasonable to expect an improvement in Civilization 7. As the world advances into the modern ages, the Barbarians should be given the opportunity to settle and expand their territory, while still maintaining their nomadic traditions. They should be allowed to grow into a real threat rather than just a nuisance throughout the entire game.

To achieve this, it is necessary to make the Barbarians a playable group. Players should have the chance to achieve victory through grand conquest with the Barbarians, leading their great hordes across the world. To seamlessly implement this mechanic, Firaxis can draw inspiration from the Mongolians, famously led by Genghis Khan, who have appeared in every edition of the Civilization franchise thus far. Similarly, the Barbarian Clans should be able to unite under one banner and wreak havoc in Civilization 7. After being neglected for years, it is only fair that Firaxis provides the Barbarians with proper representation in their flagship game. Shaking up the gameplay for the Barbarians in the next edition could elevate the franchise to new heights.

Sid Meier's Civilization 7 is currently in development.