That’s all. Played Civ since IV and the boardgame-like nature of it meant that I’ve gotten a lot of friends and family into it as a means to experience video games in general.

Civ VII looks really bad, even if I haven’t played it myself. Systems upon systems that aren’t properly explained, that somehow feel both cluttered and less in-depth than previous entries. Three truncated games making up the segments of one larger game is lame, too. A bad solution to the problem of people burning out in the later eras.

Most of all, though, is the business model of it all. Civ already leaned into 4X DLC conventions which meant getting the whole package was an expensive endeavor, but at least, for example, Civ VI had just two major expansion packs. Civ VII is already drowning into microtransaction leader purchases.

And then there’s, just, the price. It’s obscene. Denuvo is devastating to see as it creates a lot of barriers to giving the thing a try. I don’t get excited for games any more, but Civ VII would have been one of them.

Anyone try it themselves? Anyone in love? Anyone feel like me?