Civilization VII Unveiled: Most Anticipated PC Game for 2025

Civilization VII: Top PC Game of 2025 and New Campaign Mechanics

Civilization VII has been crowned the most anticipated PC game of 2025 by PC Gamer's "Most Wanted" event. This accolade follows the reveal of innovative gameplay mechanics designed to enhance campaign engagement. Read on for details.

Claiming the Top Spot

On December 6th, the PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted showcased the 25 most exciting upcoming games, ranked by a 70+ member panel of developers, content creators, and PC Gamer editors. Civilization VII secured the number one position. The event also featured trailers and updates for other titles, including Let’s Build a Dungeon and Drivers of the Apocalypse.

Doom: The Dark Ages and Monster Hunter Wilds followed in second and third place, respectively. Other notable games on the list included Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, The Thing: Remastered, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II.

New "Ages" Mechanic Enhances Campaign Completion

Addressing low campaign completion rates in Civilization VI, Creative Director Ed Beach introduced the "Ages" mechanic. A single playthrough is now structured into three distinct eras: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. Players can transition to a historically or geographically linked civilization at the end of each Age, mirroring the rise and fall of real-world empires.

This transition isn't random; connections are crucial. For example, the Roman Empire might progress to the French Empire, potentially with the Norman Empire bridging the gap. Leaders remain consistent across Ages, maintaining player connection and rivalry. An "overbuild" feature allows construction atop existing structures, while Wonders and certain buildings persist.

This innovative system offers diverse gameplay experiences within a single campaign, allowing players to manage cultural, military, diplomatic, and economic aspects across multiple civilizations while retaining a sense of continuity through their chosen leader. Civilization VII launches on February 11th, 2025, for PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.