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No, Civ 7 is not good now

SuedeSuede·253,239 views·Mar 15, 2026

Score and analysis

7.3
VIDSCORE

Summary

Suede analyzes Civilization VII's post-launch struggles, arguing that the game suffers from a lack of clear identity and vision.The video contrasts Civ VII with Europa Universalis V and Shadow the Hedgehog to illustrate the pitfalls of design pivots and the importance of a singular creative direction.Suede details how systemic changes, like the removal of builders, have failed to address core issues and instead created new problems.Ultimately, the analysis concludes that Civilization VII's current path is unsustainable, leaving it in a niche position without a clear purpose.

Breakdown

The analysis delves deeply into the systemic issues of Civilization VII, examining the downstream effects of design changes like the removal of builders and the impact of optional systems.Suede explores how these choices affect game balance, player experience, and the game's overall identity.
Suede's narration is clear and direct, maintaining a consistent tone throughout the analysis.The use of comparisons to other games and hypothetical scenarios helps to illustrate complex design concepts, keeping the viewer engaged with the argument.
While Suede expresses strong opinions about Civilization VII's flaws, the analysis attempts to ground these criticisms in observable design choices and their consequences.The creator acknowledges that some criticisms might seem disingenuous to fans and addresses potential counter-arguments.
Suede offers a unique perspective on Civilization VII's development and identity crisis, comparing it to Shadow the Hedgehog and Europa Universalis V. The analysis goes beyond surface-level complaints to dissect the impact of design choices on the game's core experience and player perception.
Suede references developer interviews and dev diaries to support claims about Civilization VII's design intentions and changes.The analysis also draws on comparisons to other games like Europa Universalis V and Shadow the Hedgehog to illustrate points about game design.
The video features clear audio and consistent visuals throughout its runtime.Suede's narration is easily understandable, and the on-screen presentation remains stable without distracting camera movements or editing issues.
Suede concludes that Civilization VII suffers from a lack of clear identity and vision, leading to a 'weird limbo state' that prevents it from becoming a truly great game.The analysis posits that the game's current trajectory, attempting to please multiple audiences, is unsustainable and detrimental.

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Suede
Suede
Video Game Analyst · Content Creator

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