Summary
The strategy 4X genre is one of the most competitive areas in gaming, and finding a unique niche where an IP can shine brighter than the competition is vital to a developer’s survival in an ever-changing landscape. From intriguing combat mechanics to the more nuanced intricacies of playing god behind a virtual civilization, several components go into crafting a state-of-the-art title that gamers love.Sid Meier’s Civilizationis one of the most visible franchises in this genre, and the series owes a lot of its success to the developer’s ability to offer a wide range of past world leaders in its gameplay.Civilization 6advanced this selling point for the franchise as Firaxis tapped into some lesser-known historical figures to further its variety, andCivilization 7would do well to continue this trend.
It’s said that variety is the spice of life, and the axiom rings true in the gaming industry now more than ever before. In the case of strategy, gameplay needs to avoid the semblance of repetition, since gamers crave a slightly different challenge with each playthrough of their favorite titles.Sid Meier’s Civilizationhas been at the forefront of this charge for replay value since its launch in 1991, solidifying its status as one of the deepest IPs in the strategy category through its numerousVictory Conditionsand leader diversity. There’s every reason to expect the winning formula to continue inCivilization 7, andCivilization 6’s leadership quirk of semi-obscure leaders should carry over to the next iteration of the franchise.
Civilization 6’s Leader Flexibility Should be Emulated in Civilization 7
Firaxis' Refreshing Exploration of History’s Less-Explored Crevices
Nailing the leadership component in an era-focused strategy game comes with its problems. InCivilization’s case, given its historical premise, nailing the strengths and accompanying weaknesses of its rulers is one of the most difficult hurdles for Firaxis to scale past on paper. However, the developer has done an admirable job of staying on the right side of history thus far and has taken things to the next level by delving deeper into history than conventional wisdom permits. Gamers would typically expect the likes of Alexander the Great to feature inCivilization(as he has), but it’s the inclusion of theless famous leaders that gaveCivilization 6an edge.
WhereCivilization 5already had an impressive selection of rulers in history, from Augustus Caesar to Gandhi,Civilization 6marked a remarkable jump in variety in the cast of leaders previously seen in the franchise. Much ofCivilization 5’s lineup was rooted in figures who dominate the pages of history books. Just a few years later, the floodgates of the leader gimmick were fully blown open byCivilization 6. Through expansion packs such as theLeader Pass and Great Negotiators Pack,Civilization 6boasts a whopping 67 rulers - by far the most inSid Meier’s Civilizationhistory.
More Obscure Leaders Could Give Civilization 7 Even More Replay Value
Each of these rulers has strengths that open up several paths to victory, and they ensureCivilization 6’s replay value long after conquering the world with any given nation. For instance,Hammurabi is an odds-on favorite for a science victory, while Kupe’s early game exploration with the Maori generates copious amounts of culture. There are many thingsCivilization 6had going for it, but the diversity of its leadership deserves a lot of credit for its success.
In the spirit of sticking to a winning formula,Civilization 7should emulate its predecessor’s example - althoughCiv 6’s impressive depth means this will be a tough task for Firaxis. Still, the diversity problem is a great one forCivilization 7to have, and given the success thatCivilization 6’s leader lineupgenerated, it stands to reason Firaxis will at least maintain (if not expand) the previous game’s status quo. The gameplay potential of focusing on comparatively obscure figures is immense, and doubling down on this strategy could yield even more results for theCivilizationfranchise.
