Civilization 7's launch has garnered mixed Steam reviews, but Take-Two's CEO remains optimistic. While hardcore fans, who gained early access, have voiced concerns about the UI, limited map variety, and missing features, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick believes these players will ultimately embrace the game.

The game's current Steam user reviews highlight UI issues and a perceived lack of content at launch. Firaxis has acknowledged this feedback, promising UI improvements, the addition of multiplayer teams, and more map diversity.

Zelnick points to a Metacritic score of 81 and numerous reviews exceeding 90 as evidence of the game's overall quality. He acknowledges negative reviews, such as Eurogamer's 2/5 score, but attributes some initial negativity to the significant changes implemented in Civ 7. He suggests that the "legacy Civ audience," initially apprehensive, will grow to appreciate the game's innovations with increased playtime.

One key change is the three-Age campaign structure (Antiquity, Exploration, Modern). Each Age transition involves selecting a new civilization, choosing retained Legacies, and witnessing world evolution—a novel system for the Civilization series.

Despite Zelnick's confidence, Firaxis faces the challenge of improving Steam user reviews. A positive Steam rating is vital for the game's success on the platform, impacting both public perception and Steam's algorithm for game visibility.