Summary
TheCivilizationfranchise has often been described as iterative. While eachnewCivilizationgamehas brought a handful of new features and mechanics, and expanded upon the foundations laid before it, for the most part, theCivilizationfranchise has stayed largely the same for over two decades now, with there not being too much evolution betweenCivilization 3and the most recent entry,Civilization 6.
It’s about time theCivilizationfranchise had a proper shake-up, and that should include overhauled systems, and some genuinely new, game-changing mechanics, and with it being the next mainline entry,Civilization 7is the perfect place for it. After the immense success ofCivilization 6, the franchise is bigger than it ever has been, and there’s more pressure on the upcoming entry than ever before.Civilization 7is going to need all the inspiration it can get, and a good place to start is borrowing some novel features from competitors likeFrostpunk.
What Civilization 7 Could Take from Frostpunk
Civilization 7 Should Borrow Frostpunk’s Moral Choices
Released in 2018,Frostpunksees players attempt to establish one of the last bastions of humanity, and manage the city so that it protects all those inside from the lethal volcanic winter surrounding them. As this colony’s leader, players will be frequently given difficult moral choices regarding their citizens, choices that are often associated with signing new laws.
One early choice inFrostpunkwill see players have to choose whether to sign the Sustain Life bill or the Radical Treatment bill. The former will see doctors keep patients alive until they eventually die, taking up precious space in the hospital but raising Hope, while the latter law will have doctors perform surgery to get them back in the workforce.Frostpunkis full of these difficult moral choices, and each one has both an immediate and lasting impact on the colony. Each choice informs the type of city that the player is building and the type of people who reside there.
A similar moral system inCivilization 7would be amazing to see. Obviously,Civilization 7’s moral choicesprobably wouldn’t be nearly as bleak as those inFrostpunk, but it would be interesting to see players' advisors come to them at certain points during a match, bringing forth a dilemma related to the nation’s citizens. These choices could then have lasting effects on the type of cities that the player produces, and the type of population that grows there.
Civilization 7 Should Borrow Frostpunk’s Consequences
But a core element ofFrostpunk’s moral choices is that each one results in some kind of significant consequence. For instance, while one decision might instantly raise the Hope of workers, it could have a detrimental effect on the effectiveness of the workforce later down the line, and in a game likeFrostpunkwhere every resource is precious, this could easily result in a quick game over for even the most experienced players. Similarly, there are certain major decisions that occur duringFrostpunk’s main story, such as the choice between Order and Faith to keep people in line. These decisions can lead to riots and even a mass exodus of the player’s citizens.
IfCivilization 7was going to borrowFrostpunk’s moral choices, then it’s imperative that it also borrows that game’s consequences, albeit probably not as extreme or violent.Civilizationhas had an anarchy systemfor a while now, and if a city’s culture is too low then it can be consumed by another player, but these systems are quite basic.Civilization 7should feature tough choices that only get harder the greater the city’s population is, making players think twice about expanding too fast.
Sid Meier’s Civilization 6
WHERE TO PLAY
Civilization VIoffers new ways to engage with your world: cities now physically expand across the map, active research in technology and culture unlocks new potential, and competing leaders will pursue their own agendas based on their historical traits as you race for one of five ways to achieve victory in the game.Expansive empiresSee the marvels of your empire spread across the map like never before. Each district, wonder, and improvement is built on its own hex, allowing you to customize your city to your heart’s content. From the Commercial Hub to the Spaceport, every district provides unique and powerful bonuses. Pick and choose which districts to build to fit your needs! Build better than your opponents, place yourself strategically for your allies, and become the best civilization on Earth.Active ResearchBoost your civilization’s progress through history to unlock powerful bonuses before anyone else! To advance more quickly, use your units to actively explore, develop your environment, and discover new cultures. Research isn’t just limited to science. Explore the Civics tree to unlock powerful new governments and cultural policies Cultivate the civilization that fits your playstyle, or switch it up every time you play!Dynamic diplomacyAs the game progresses, so do your diplomatic relationships. From primitive first interactions where conflict is a fact of life, to late game alliances and negotiations. Carry influence with nearby city states to gain its diplomatic allegiance and earn game-changing city-state bonuses. Enlist spies to gather crucial intel on rival civilizations, steal precious resources, and even topple governments.
