Civ 7 Named the Most Wanted PC Game of 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 announcement, alongside a reveal of engaging new campaign mechanics, has generated significant excitement. Let's delve into the details.

PC Gamer's "Most Wanted" Event

On December 6th, PC Gamer's PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted showcased the top 25 upcoming games for 2025, as determined by a vote from The Council—a panel of over 70 developers, content creators, and editors. Civ VII secured the coveted top spot. The nearly three-hour livestream also featured trailers and updates for other highly anticipated titles.

Other notable entries in the top five included Doom: The Dark Ages (2nd), Monster Hunter Wilds (3rd), and Slay the Spire 2 (4th). The list also featured Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, The Thing: Remastered, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. Noteworthy absences included Hollow Knight: Silksong.

Civilization VII's launch is scheduled for February 11, 2025, across PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch platforms.

Addressing Campaign Completion with the "Ages" Mechanic

In a PC Gamer interview, Civ VII's Creative Director, Ed Beach, highlighted a key design choice aimed at improving campaign completion rates. Firaxis Games' data revealed a significant number of players didn't finish Civ VI campaigns. To tackle this, Civ VII introduces the "Ages" mechanic.

Each campaign is structured into three distinct Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. Upon completing an Age, players can transition to a historically or geographically linked civilization. This mirrors the rise and fall of real-world empires.

The transition isn't random; connections are crucial. For instance, the Roman Empire might transition to the French Empire, potentially with the Norman Empire serving as a bridge. Leaders remain consistent across Ages, maintaining player connection and rivalry. An "overbuild" feature allows constructing new buildings atop existing ones, although Wonders and some structures persist.

This innovative mechanic allows players to experience multiple civilizations within a single playthrough, offering fresh perspectives on cultural, military, diplomatic, and economic strategies while maintaining a sense of continuity through their chosen leader.