Summary
- Dennis Shirk praises Switch 2 hardware upgrades for better Civilization 7 graphics/performance.
- The console has been compared to a mid-tier PC.
- Civilization 7 on Switch 2 should perform much better than the OG Switch version.
Hardware upgrades to the Nintendo Switch 2 over the previous generation's console have earned some major praise from Civilization 7 executive producer Dennis Shirk. The longtime Firaxis Games developer seems excited for players to try out his game on the Switch 2, likening its graphics and performance on the upcoming console to that of a mid-tier PC.
Civilization 7 was confirmed for the Switch 2 during the Nintendo Direct presentation on April 2. Originally launching for multiple platforms, including the original Nintendo Switch, in February, the latest entry in the 4X strategy series added a lot of new features, like a revamped Ages mechanic and the ability to mix-and-match civilizations and leaders.
Another Switch 2 Launch Title Possibly Confirmed
A premature retailer listing seemingly confirms another Nintendo Switch 2 launch title—which won't cost anywhere close to $80.
The upcoming launch of the new console provides a lot of benefits in the eyes of Shirk, who has spent the last 20 years with Firaxis Games. That's not surprising, considering a report that the inclusion of Nvidia's Tegra chip gives Switch 2 10 times the graphics performance of the original, but the longtime developer and current executive producer has now taken things a step further, as he told Stephen Totillo of GameFile about the big performance boost he has seen in developing the Switch 2 version of the game. “We were able to make this look like a mid-tier PC, because it's got enough power,” he said in that interview, also noting that the development team was "very happy" with its performance on Switch 2.
Civilization 7 Should Run Much Better on Switch 2
Back in early February, the strategy game received generally favorable reviews from critics, but player reactions to Civilization 7 have been mixed. While much of the universal criticism across all platforms has centered around the removal of popular features from past entries in the series, players on Nintendo Switch have reported some serious performance issues that cause crashes and long wait times between turns, with some stating that they have had to avoid using larger maps or starting games with more than a few different civilizations in an effort to not push the limited hardware to its breaking point. The ability to play Civilization 7 on the go seems to be a popular feature, though, so upgrades to its performance will likely be a very welcome change.
The graphical and performance upgrades aren't the only boosts coming to the game. Along with lead designer and programmer Ed Beach, Shirk has previously praised the Switch 2's Joy-Con mouse functions prior to their official confirmation. For a franchise that has seen most of its success on PC, the ability of a stock controller to serve as a mouse could make navigating Civilization 7's UI much easier for players on Switch 2.
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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
