Civilization 7's launch has been met with a mixed reception on Steam, despite Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, expressing confidence in its eventual success with dedicated fans. Early access players, often considered the most hardcore Civilization enthusiasts, have voiced concerns regarding the user interface (UI), limited map variety, and missing features.

Firaxis has acknowledged this feedback, promising UI improvements, the addition of team-based multiplayer, and a broader range of map types. These planned updates aim to address player concerns.

In an interview with IGN, Zelnick noted the mixed reviews, including a low score from Eurogamer, but highlighted Civilization 7's generally positive Metacritic score (81) and numerous reviews exceeding 90. He attributed the negative feedback to the significant changes implemented by Firaxis, predicting that the "legacy Civ audience" would eventually appreciate the game's innovations after extended playtime. He specifically cited the UI as an area needing improvement.

A key innovation in Civilization 7 is the three-age campaign structure (Antiquity, Exploration, Modern), featuring simultaneous Age Transitions for all players. These transitions involve selecting a new civilization, choosing which Legacies to carry over, and witnessing world evolution – a novel system within the Civilization franchise.

Despite Zelnick's optimism, Firaxis faces the challenge of improving player sentiment, particularly on Steam. The Steam user review rating significantly impacts the game's visibility and overall success on the platform.