Test of Time Civilization VII: Let's take stock of this free update

After a launch that left a bitter taste for some, Sid Meier's Civilization VII is about to bounce back with the free update Test of Time on May 19th. Firaxis strikes hard right from the start, by throwing out the controversial mechanic of mandatory civilization switching at each era, a novelty brought by the base game that had unsettled fans of the series...

From now on, the concept of Time-Tested Civilizations takes hold: guiding a single ancient nation to final victory, by "standing the test of time". And to make up for the headache of switching to a new people, the Syncretism system allows you to add unique units or infrastructures from other civilizations per era, or to stay true to your roots. So you can imagine claiming an ancient Rome, adding Mayan touches at the start of the modern age, while still respecting your core identity!

The game's skeleton has also been rethought, with a new Victory System that diversifies the paths to triumph, and the Great Success (formerly Legacy Path) offers military, cultural, scientific, economic, diplomatic, or expansionist challenges. Get ready to discover a brand-new fractal map, an improved Commerce screen, new narrative events, and a surprise free leader.

The workshop testing phases (23 pages of notes!) fine-tuned the balance, with temporary buffs after nerfs (such as -2 in combat over 20 Turns via Test of Valor!), sparking debate over whether to prioritize a tall empire rather than a wide one, but with more power in unique traditions. Multiplayer hotseat and UI polish as a bonus. This should give Civ VII a fresh boost!