Summary
Strategy genre fans are eating pretty well right now. 2023 saw the release of a number of highly-rated strategy games, ranging from tactical RPG/strategy hybrids likeJagged Alliance 3to city management games likeCities: Skylines 2to exciting DLCs for beloved games likeStellarisandHearts of Iron 4. And though the year’s full release calendar is still far from complete, 2024 is looking like it could be another great year for the strategy genre, withHomeworld 3,Frostpunk 2, andManor Lordsall set to drop this year. ButCivilizationfans might have to wait a little longer for their moment.
Announced back in February 2023,Civilization 7is currently in active development at Firaxis. It’s unclear just how longCivilization 7has been in development, and even a tentative release date hasn’t been given for the long-awaited sequel. But whenCivilization 7does come out, it might end up finding more success if it sticks to its traditional strategy roots.
Sticking With Tradition Might Help Civilization 7 In the Long Run
Games Like Ara: History Untold Are Pushing the 4X Genre Forward
While the 4X genre owes its creation to board games and early, ambitious strategy titles, it wasCivilizationthat first truly popularized the genre back in 1991. But that was decades ago, andtheCivilizationfranchiseisn’t exactly renowned for its groundbreaking features in the modern strategy scene. For the best part of three decades,Civilizationhas essentially been an iterative franchise, with each entry simply adding new features and content to the pre-existing formula that was set up all the way back in 1991.
WhileCivilization 6is arguably one ofthe greatest strategy games ever made, many fans felt as though it followed in its predecessors' footsteps a little too closely, bringing some fun new additions to the series, but not really pushing it forward in any truly substantial way. For years, a big point of discussion has been that the nextCivilizationentry needs to innovate on the current formula, andCivilization 7is that opportunity.
But there’s an interesting new wrinkle that might have some fans changing their tune. The 4X strategy genre is currently seeing a bit of a renaissance right now, with a slew of exciting new titles releasing, all of which are trying to innovate and shake up the genre’s most inherent features.Ara: History Untoldis the perfect example of this. Set for release later this year,Ara: History Untoldis an AAA game beingpublished by Xbox Game Studiosthat aims to reinvent the 4X genre in a number of ways, from a Prestige scoring system to its simultaneous turns. AndAra: History Untoldis far from the only game attempting to do this.
Civilization Should Remain a Comforting Reminder of the Genre’s Roots
In the grand scheme of things, it might be better ifCivilizationremains a more traditional 4X strategy franchise. While many fans wantCivilization 7to innovate on the formula in substantial ways, there could be a sizable benefit to keeping things the way they are right now, and havingCivilization 7simply be iterative. The 4X genre is changing rapidly thanks togames likeAra: History Untold, and in all that change, it might be comforting ifCivilization7remains a reminder of the genre’s simpler days.
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.
