Look, I know that Civilization 7 is currently in rough shape. While the bones of something great are there – and while I’m certain that updates and expansions will make the game shine – I recently wrote about my worry that releasing something so undercooked could ultimately be bad for business.
On one hand, Civilization 7 is the newest entry in a legendary game series, one of the few legacy triple-A series that seems to transcend time and industry landscape. On the other hand, perhaps that should have led to a little more development time to make it easier to play without having to reference fan-made explainers. And, on a strange third hand, the fact that Civilization 7 VR is coming makes me ready to ignore all of that.
VR Doesn’t Fix Civ 7, But It Kinda Fixes Civ 7
I’m sorry, but I can’t resist the idea of Civilization 7 VR. That’s not a bit. That’s just me being stupid. First of all, Civilization in virtual reality combines my two favorite pastimes: epic video games which make me feel like I’m accomplishing something amazing, and aggressively ignoring the world right in front of me so I can’t face how little I’ve accomplished.
To be fair, Civilization 7 VR looks like it’s more of an augmented reality game, with the map appearing in front of you in your living room or bedroom or combination living room/bedroom/kitchen in your studio apartment. That isn’t blocking out all of reality, but it is adding something nice to the space of my cold, dead home.
Of course, this makes no sense. I should not be more forgiving of a version of a game just because it’s in virtual reality. If the problems with Civilization 7 VR are the same as the ones with regular Civilization 7, then, yes, that’ll be frustrating. I recognize that this feeling is completely irrational, but I just don’t have as many big VR games coming my way. And those that I do love are often smaller, more directed experiences.
That’s all well and good, but I have yet to find the right VR game that makes me want to take one more turn until my eyes are broken. That’s what I want. I want a VR game that makes me want to stay there until I have to rush to the bathroom. Potentially with the helmet still on since, as I said, augmented reality.
VR Is Just Another Shade Of Weird
Having lower standards doesn’t magically make a game better, but at least virtual reality/augmented reality supplies some chances to experiment. Maybe a UI that feels awkward on a flat screen will pop in 3D, with the ability to look all over the place providing me with a little more context.
And, hell, from my experience playing a few city builders in virtual reality, there is something kind of special about being able to zoom in and out and view your work up close in a way that doesn’t ever really translate to a flat screen. You never believe your city is alive, but at least it’s a little more magic. So, yeah, I’m going to buy it at full price – again – just so I can experience a game I’m already iffy on.
I want to reiterate that I know like a lot of my virtual reality obsession, this is ridiculous. But I also grew up with weird, terrible ports of games. I want the weirdest, most broken version of a game – even if that game already started off not great. Because I’m curious! I’m curious about how they pull it off. And it’s always possible that viewing a game from another angle – both literally and figuratively – will give me a better perspective on it. Maybe make it more fun. People have complained that Civilization 7 feels like it was made for consoles, therefore robbing it of the PC experience. But it’s possible there’s a third option: a good virtual reality one? Maybe?
Who knows! Maybe walking around my room looking at my country will make me feel more like a great leader. Maybe seeing things pop-up in my room will push back against the current sterile feel of the game. No matter what, I’m curious how they pull off Civilization in 3D. Living board game? Living map? Hard to say from the trailer, but I’m willing to give it a shot. Not because I think it’ll automatically be fantastic, because it’ll be interesting. And at this point in my life, I just want something that is at least trying.
Do I honestly think it’s going to make a world of a difference? Nah. Probably not. But I love supporting games like this. I get it, I get it, I’ve complained that it’s bad to release something in an incomplete state and now I’m basically saying the opposite just because you have to wear a special headset to play the same thing. But I also love a big swing. I love a weird take on a subject. I’d rather see a game that’s almost there – almost right – trying something different than a game that is just… almost there. I’m a hypocrite, but mostly I’m just a hypocrite for the weirdest version of any game, good or bad.
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OpenCritic
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Top Critic Rating:
82/100
- Released
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February 11, 2025
- Developer(s)
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Firaxis Games