One of Civilization 7‘s biggest reinventions is its Age system. A standard match of Civilization 7 is split into three distinct Ages: the Antiquity Age, the Exploration Age, and the Modern Age. Each Age sees players completing Age-specific objectives known as ‘Legacy Paths’, which give players bonuses they can use in the next Age, which in turn helps them to achieve one of the four eventual victory conditions at a faster rate.
This is an incredibly ambitious change for the Civilization franchise, and it’s proven to be a divisive one. But Firaxis might not be done with Civilization 7‘s Age system just yet. Mere days after Civilization 7‘s early access release in February, dataminers found files that referenced a mysterious “Atomic Age.” Firaxis hasn’t confirmed any plans to introduce a fourth Age just yet, but it has teased that there’s a lot in store for Civ 7‘s future, and there are plenty of ways a fourth Age could expand and evolve Civilization 7‘s gameplay.
The term “Atomic Age” is often used to describe a period before the “Modern Age,” though in Civilization 7, the Atomic Age would likely occur after, with its Modern Age ending around 1950 AD.
Related
Civilization 7’s Age System is Perfect for a Star Wars 4X Strategy Game
Civilization 7 made some pretty big changes to the franchise’s Age system, and the new iteration could suit Star Wars’ timeline perfectly.
Possible Legacy Paths for Civilization 7’s Atomic Age
Science
If Civilization 7‘s rumored Atomic Age occurs after the Modern Age, then that would require a new set of endings for each of Civilization 7‘s four victory types, and a new set of Legacy Path objectives for each one. Civilization 7‘s Science victory currently concludes with the player conducting the First Staffed Space Flight.
In a hypothetical Atomic Age, it would make sense for players to continue their space ventures in order to earn the new Science victory. Past Civilization games have required players to colonize Mars, and a similar condition would work for Civ 7.
Economic
In Civilization 7, players can currently achieve an Economic victory by earning 500 Railroad Tycoon points and by building the World Bank Wonder. This is the first time in the series since 2008’s Civilization Revolution that players have been able to achieve an Economic victory, and thus there’s no clear indication of where Civ 7‘s Economic Legacy Path could go next. One possible route is that players need to use present-day stock trading mechanics to earn a certain amount of gold.
Military
Unlike past Civilizations‘ Domination victories that saw players conquering the capitals of all opponents, Civilization 7‘s Military victory requires the player to simply capture 20 Settlements, with those belonging to an opposing ideology counting as 3. Players then need to build the Manhattan Project Wonder and complete the Operation Ivy Project.
This current ending naturally leads into the rumored Atomic Age, with the Manhattan Project introducing atomic weapons to the masses. A possible fourth Age in Civilization 7 could see players using their new nuclear weapons to finally wipe other players’ capital cities off the map.
Cultural
To get a Cultural victory in Civilization 7, players need to store 15 Artifacts across their settlements/cities, and construct the World’s Fair Wonder. If Civ 7‘s rumored Atomic Age follows Civ 6‘s footsteps, its new Cultural Legacy Path could see players trying to bring tourists to their empire.
Possible Units for Civilization 7’s Atomic Age
At the end of Civilization 7‘s Modern Age, players will have access to World War 2-era land, sea, and air units, such as tanks, artillery guns, submarines, and dive bombers. An Atomic Age could add present-day military units to the roster, such as jet fighters, aircraft carriers, and special forces commandos. If Civilization 7‘s rumored Atomic Age (or an eventual fifth Age) wanted to push the boat out, it could include more futuristic units, like drones or even a squad of XCOM soldiers, which previously appeared in Civilization 5.
Grand Strategy
Turn-Based Strategy
4X
- Released
-
February 11, 2025
Source link