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

Civilization VII's Deluxe Edition launched recently, and online discussions are already buzzing about its user interface (UI) and other shortcomings. But is the UI truly that bad? Let's delve into the game's UI elements and assess whether the criticism is justified.

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

Early access players of Civ 7's Deluxe and Founder's Editions are voicing concerns, particularly regarding the UI and missing quality-of-life features. Before jumping to conclusions, let's objectively evaluate the UI's effectiveness as a 4X game interface.

Evaluating a 4X UI

While some argue for objective 4X UI design standards, the reality is more complex. UI design depends heavily on the game's context, style, and goals. However, common elements contributing to effective 4X UIs have been identified. Let's use these elements to analyze Civ 7's UI.

Information Hierarchy

A good UI prioritizes important information. Frequently used resources and mechanics should be prominent, while less crucial features should be easily accessible. The UI shouldn't display everything at once, but organize information logically.

Against the Storm offers a strong example: building info menus use tabs to organize actions by frequency of use. Common actions are on the default tab, while less frequent ones are in subsequent tabs.

Civ 7's resource summary menu displays resource allocation, separating income, yields, and expenses. It's well-structured and collapsible. However, it lacks granular detail. While you see total resource production from Rural Districts, the specific district or hex isn't shown. Expense breakdowns are also limited. The UI functions, but more detail would improve it.

Visual Indicators

Effective visual indicators convey information quickly using icons, colors, and overlays, minimizing the need for text.

Stellaris' Outliner is an example, using icons to show ship status (transit, orbit, scanning).

Civ 7 uses iconography and numbers, but lacks some of Civ 6's lenses (appeal, tourism, loyalty). The absence of customizable map pins is also criticized. While not terrible, there's room for improvement.

Search, Filtering, and Sorting

Search, filtering, and sorting are crucial for managing large amounts of information.

Civ 6's search function is excellent, allowing players to locate resources, units, and features on the map. Its Civilopedia also links to in-game elements.

Civ 7 lacks this crucial search function, a significant usability issue. This omission is a major drawback.

Design and Visual Consistency

UI aesthetics and cohesiveness are vital. A poor UI can detract from the overall experience.

Civ 6's UI is praised for its dynamic, cartographical style, integrating seamlessly with the game's visuals.

Civ 7 adopts a minimalist, sleek design. While not unattractive, its subtler thematic approach is less immediately engaging for some players. Visual design is subjective, but the lack of immediate clarity has resulted in mixed opinions.

Conclusion

Civ 7's UI, while not perfect, isn't as bad as some claim. Key features are missing, especially the search function, but it's not game-breaking. Compared to other issues, the UI's shortcomings are relatively minor. While it may not match the visual appeal and efficiency of other 4X UIs, it has strengths. With updates and player feedback, it can improve significantly. The overall game's strengths compensate for the UI's imperfections.

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