Much like with every Sid Meier's Civilization before it, Firaxis has introduced a plethora of new mechanics within Sid Meier's Civilization 7. Not only are leaders and civilizations separate now, but the entire game has been built around a three-age structure. This makes for a familiar yet brand-new experience, the likes of which the franchise really has not seen before. And while many of Sid Meier's Civilization 7's changes make for a great time, the best one may also be one of its simplest.
For years, players were forced to just sail the open seas during their Civilization journey, and were never really able to explore any other bodies of water. However, with Civilization 7, that seems to be changing as Firaxis has finally given them navigable rivers. No longer are rivers simply an aesthetic, they actually serve a greater purpose. Not only does that give boats so much more functionality, but it also means that the world feels far more realistic, which is exactly what the franchise needed.
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Civilization 7's Best Change is Fantastic to See
Civilization Finally Has Navigable Rivers
Rivers have been a part of the Civilization franchise for a while, but they have never really been enterable. They have provided food sources, allowed certain buildings in Civ 6 to be built on them, and mostly served as a way to make the landscape far more interesting. However, fans had long been hoping that they would become more important within a new release, and luckily, they have.
With Sid Meier's Civilization 7, Firaxis has finally made rivers far more than simple set dressing. Now, boats and units can actually use them as a means to traverse the map. Players can move armies up them, units can use them to gain quick access to other parts of the continent, and players are no longer forced to prioritize costal cities if they want to conquer the high seas. While it may seem like a simple addition, this goes a long way in fleshing out the game. And after players had been clamoring for it for years, it truly feels like it was long overdue.
Civilization's World Feels Far More Lifelike Because of Its Rivers
Not only does it give players far more options for traversal and give rivers a purpose, but it also really helps make Civilization 7's world feel more lifelike. In reality, rivers have been an extremely important part of human history. Countless cities have been built around them due to the fact they offer fertile soil and water, are perfect for the transporting of goods, and they even provide some protection. Most major cities exist on a river or lake because of this, and even as time goes by, their importance does not seem to be changing.
Because Civilization tries to emulate reality, it would only make sense for rivers to be just as important. While they do not do everything that they do in real life, making them navigable in Civ 7 was a great step in the right direction. The world just feels more real as players are now incentivized to build their cities on rivers to take advantage of this. As more updates are released, there is a chance they will get even more useful. But, if not, then future Civilization games will likely take them even further.
Civilization 7 features a ton of exciting changes, so casual players may end up overlooking this tweak. Still, many franchise veterans are likely very excited to finally be able to move their units through these bodies of water. Not only as a way to transport valuable goods, but they are also perfect for conquering the world. And if Firaxis adds Vikings into its latest game down the road, then players could finally live out their river raiding dreams.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 77%
- Released
- February 11, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ // Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Mild Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Firaxis Games
- Publisher(s)
- 2K
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Grand Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy, 4X
