Summary
There are several features fromCivilization 6that could prove to be equally excellent choices if carried over toCivilization 7. Considering the amount of changes that were made afterCivilization 5, one can easily imagineCivilization 7making a lot of rule changes as well. However,Civilization 6had plenty of ideas that would be disappointing to see face away after only one appearance in the series. In fact, many of the new ideas presented could easily be added to the next game with little issue, andCivilization 6’s changes to the formula could be a positive influence onCivilization 7.
There are many ways thatCivilization 7can improve onCiv 6, but that starts with acknowledging what worked in the previous game. One thing that immediately springs to mind is new civs and leaders that made a powerful impression in said game. While they may be what sticks out the most, the mechanics and rules of the game itself are equally important. A lot of elements of the game were significantly overhauled forCivilization 6, making it feel vastly different from its predecessor. When it comes toCivilization 7’s take on the game, a complete overhaul of the system may not be necessary.
Eurekas and Inspirations Greatly Aided Civilization 6’s Research
A major perk that helps players research theuseful technologies ofCivilization 6is Eurekas and Inspirations. InCivilization 6, each entry on the tech and civic trees aside from the initial choices, has a certain task tied to them. If that task is completed, it triggers an Eureka for the tech, or Inspiration for a civic, immediately cutting a large amount of the time required to research it. These boosts are remarkably useful tools, and if players plan properly, they can greatly accelerate their civilization’s progress. They are a convenient addition that would add more nuance to the strategy ofCivilization 7.
Barbarian Clans Evolved Civilization’s Ever-Present Barbarians
Barbarians are a mainstay of the series, and they got a major upgrade withCivilization 6’s Barbarian Clans mode. With Barbarian Clans active, the barbarians become far more than faceless foes. Each clan of barbarians receives a name, and the player can interact with them, paying them to leave them alone, hire a unit, or attack rival civs. They can even create new city-states once they reach a certain point, adding an extra element of unpredictability to the game. The improvements of Barbarian Clans made barbarians far more interesting, andCivilization 7could greatly benefit from the mechanic.
Suzerain Bonuses Made City-States More Distinct
Civilization 6gave city-states a fresh new idea with Suzerain bonuses. Whichever civ has the most envoys in a city-state becomes thecity-state’s Suzerain inCivilization 6. Aside from the appropriate bonus for that city-state’s type, each city-state also grants a unique bonus to its Suzerain. For example, Geneva grants science bonuses when the player isn’t at war, and Cahokia unlocks the ability to build the unique Cahokia Mounds improvement. Suzerain bonuses make city-states even more useful than before, and their bonuses encourage players to be very diplomatic.Civilization 7’s city-states would do well to follow the example ofCivilization 6’s Suzerain bonuses.
Civilization 6’s Agendas Add More Character to AI Leaders
Agendas were a new quirk of the AI leaders inCivilization 6. Every leader in the game has an agenda that affects their opinion of the player. For example,Civilization 6’s Konge Harald Hardradalikes civs with strong navies, and dislikes those with weak navies, while Mansa Musa is fond of civs who generate lots of gold. Agendas are an asset to the game in two notable ways. They apply more personality to each leader, while also adding an extra layer of strategy. Keeping agendas inCivilization 7would add an extra touch of flavor to the competition with the AI.
In addition to leader-specific agendas, AI leaders also have hidden agendas in each individual match that players must uncover through espionage, adding more unpredictability to the game.
Great People in Civilization 6 Are Much More Unique
Civilization 6reworked Great People in a way that makes them even more useful than before. Great Prophets, Writers, Artists, and Musicians have their usual effects of founding religions and great works, but whereCivilization 6’s Great Peopletruly shine is in their other categories. Great Admirals, Engineers, Generals, Merchants, and Scientists all have unique effects when expended rather than uniform bonuses. These can range from instantly triggering Eurekas, to buffing their respective districts, to several other useful abilities. This change made recruiting Great People much more exciting, andCivilization 7could benefit from keeping the idea intact.
Civilization 6’s Districts Add Challenge to Building Cities
The introduction of districts inCivilization 6made the game harder, but more strategic. Rather than being able to build everything from the City Center,Civilization 6requires certain districts to be built for specific types of projects. For example, players aiming for ascience victory inCivilization 6will need to build a Campus district in order to build schools and other science-boosting projects. This change forces players to be more careful about planning out their cities, especially since new districts require a certain population threshold. WithCivilizationbeing such a strategic series, districts feel like a perfect complement to city planning.
Civilization 6’s World Wonders work similarly to districts, needing to be built in a certain spot in the player’s territory, furthering the importance of positioning and planning in-game.
Distinct Leader Abilities Deserve a Return in Civilization 7
Civilization 6brought back the civ-exclusive abilities fromCivilization 5, while also introducing leader-specific abilities as well. This, combined with the way that some abilities have multiple leaders, including multiple variants of the same leader, opens the door to several play styles for the same civ. For instance,Greece under Gorgo inCivilization 6gains bonus culture through combat, while under Pericles, it gains culture through city-states. Continuing this trend inCivilization 7could make that game’s civs more versatile than ever before. Among all ofCivilization 6’s changes, separate leader and civ abilities could be one of the best to bring intoCivilization 7.
