It has been just over 130 days since the highly anticipated Civilization VII launched, garnering mostly positive reviews yet leaving some traditionalists feeling disappointed. Initially, developer Firaxis focused on releasing bug fixes, balance adjustments, and UI improvements. However, the recent release of version 1.2.2 marks a significant turning point, adding a host of new features that enhance gameplay. This update is available across all platforms except for Switch and Switch 2, which will receive it later.
Version 1.2.2 introduces various tweaks that allow players to customize their games more extensively. One of the most notable features is the ability to disable certain controversial additions that some players felt strayed too far from the traditional Civilization experience. Many of these new options can be found in the advanced settings menu during game setup, including the introduction of large and huge map sizes, each supporting a default civilization/player count of 10.
The most significant change in this update is the option to disable Legacy Paths. These structured sequences of objectives provide major rewards as players transition from one Age of history to another. While they offer new gameplay approaches, traditionalists argue that they impose too much structure on a game that originally embraced a more sandbox-style design. Players can now disable specific Legacy Paths for any Age or turn them all off, restoring a more open-ended gameplay experience reminiscent of earlier titles in the franchise.
Although the radical Age transitions remain, fans are calling for the ability to disable the new Ages system entirely. Firaxis has not indicated that this feature is in development, and it would be surprising if they did, as distinct Ages are a foundational element of the game's design. Additionally, players can now individually or completely turn off the Crisis mechanic, which introduces urgency near the end of Ages—a feature that many players have found less enjoyable.
Another key addition allows players to turn off civilization unlocks during age transitions. Unlike previous titles, Civilization VII requires players to choose a new civilization when they transition between Ages, with options limited by prior choices. Now, players can set up their games to eliminate this restriction, enabling them to switch to any civilization they desire with each Age change. As an added bonus, players can disable the score victory at the end of the Modern Age, allowing for infinite gameplay similar to the "one more turn" feature in earlier Civ titles.
Firaxis has also enhanced the advanced settings by allowing players to fine-tune difficulty levels for various aspects of the game. For instance, players can set AI combat strength to Viceroy difficulty while keeping Happiness rules at Settler. However, there has been some confusion regarding this feature, as it requires players to set the top-level difficulty to the newly available custom value to access these options.
Modding has been a part of the Civilization VII community, but it often required players to navigate files and folders. With this update, Firaxis introduces official mod support, including distribution via Steam Workshop, comprehensive documentation, and example mods made by the development team. Players can also expect a new loading screen featuring more detailed information and interactive elements, hinting at future UI overhauls.
Other gameplay changes include trade convoys now being able to travel over land, thus preventing treasure ships from getting stuck in lakes. An overhaul of town focuses has also been implemented, including the addition of new focuses and a nerf to the Hub Town focus, which now provides +1 influence per connected town instead of two. Furthermore, players can issue a command to pet their scout unit's dog, adding a fun touch to the game.
Fans are eagerly awaiting two major features: auto-explore for scout units and hotseat multiplayer support. Firaxis has confirmed they are working on both, but neither made it into update 1.2.2. Additionally, players have expressed a desire for further UI improvements, which the developers have indicated are forthcoming.
When Civilization VII launched, it was clear that while some players enjoyed it, the game also had its share of bugs and balance issues that could deter traditionalists. As the game evolves and improves through updates like 1.2.2, it may become more appealing to a broader range of Civ fans. This update serves as a crucial milestone for those who have been waiting to dive into the game, as it lays a solid foundation for future gameplay enhancements.
