Civilization VII's UI Under Scrutiny: Accessibility and Design Concerns

Civilization VII's Deluxe Edition launched recently, and online discussions are already buzzing about its user interface (UI) and other issues. But is the UI truly that bad? Let's analyze its elements and determine if the internet's assessment is accurate.

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Is Civ 7's UI as Bad as They Say?

Early access players of the Deluxe and Founder's Editions have already voiced criticisms, particularly concerning the UI and missing quality-of-life features. However, a balanced assessment is necessary before jumping to conclusions. We'll examine the UI piece by piece, evaluating its effectiveness as a 4X game interface.

Defining a Good 4X UI

While some argue for objective standards in 4X UI design, the reality is more nuanced. A UI's effectiveness depends on the game's context, style, and goals. However, common elements generally contribute to a positive user experience across most 4X titles.

Let's evaluate Civ 7's UI against these established elements.

Information Hierarchy

A clear information hierarchy prioritizes accessibility and importance. Frequently used resources and mechanics should be prominent, while less critical features should be readily accessible. A good UI doesn't display everything at once, but organizes information logically.

Against the Storm offers a strong example with its building info menus. Each building's pop-up menu uses tabs to organize information by relevance and frequency of use.

Civilization VII's resource summary menu displays resource allocation, separating data into income, yields, and expenses. The table format is efficient, and the menu collapses easily. However, it lacks specificity. While overall resource generation from Rural Districts is shown, the exact district or hex isn't specified. Expense breakdowns are also limited.

Civ 7's resource UI functions adequately but could benefit from more granular detail.

Visual Indicators

Effective visual indicators (icons, colors, overlays) convey information quickly without relying on text. Stellaris's Outliner, despite an often-criticized cluttered UI, exemplifies this with clear visual indicators for ship status and colony needs.

Civ 7 utilizes iconography and numerical data, featuring a tile yield overlay, settlement overlay, and settlement expansion screen. However, the absence of certain lenses from Civ 6 (appeal, tourism, loyalty) and customizable map pins has been criticized. While not terrible, improvement is possible.

Search, Filtering, and Sorting

Search, filtering, and sorting options are crucial for managing information in complex 4X games. Civ 6's search function, allowing for map-wide searches of resources and units, is a prime example.

Civ 7 notably lacks this search functionality, a significant drawback for many players. This omission impacts usability, especially given the game's scale. The absence of a robust Civilopedia integration further compounds this issue.

Design and Visual Consistency

UI design and visual consistency are crucial for a positive user experience. Civ 6's dynamic, cartographical style seamlessly integrates with the game's aesthetic.

Civ 7 adopts a minimalist, sleek design, prioritizing refinement over vibrant visuals. While not unattractive, its subtle thematic direction may lead to mixed reactions. Ultimately, visual design is subjective.

Conclusion: Not the Worst, But Room for Improvement

Civ 7's UI, while not optimal, isn't as disastrous as some claim. The lack of a search function is a significant flaw, but not game-breaking. Compared to other issues, the UI's shortcomings are relatively minor. While it pales in comparison to some visually striking 4X UIs, it possesses strengths. With updates and player feedback, it can improve significantly. The overall game's quality compensates for the UI's imperfections.

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