Civilization 7 Is A Completely Different Game Following The Test Of Time Update

The Test of Time update is the largest change to Civilization VII since its February launch, reworking how civilizations function and how victories are achieved. Players no longer switch to a new civilization when entering a new age; instead, they can add specific units or infrastructure from other civilizations through Time-Tested Civs. Each civilization has an apex age where it is most powerful, while switching remains optional. The update removes the Legacy Path system and replaces it with Triumphs across six attributes: cultural, diplomatic, economic, expansionist, militaristic, and scientific. Victory conditions are largely decoupled from Triumphs, allowing military, cultural, economic, and scientific victories as early as the Exploration era depending on relative progress.

"Instead of changing civilizations, players will be able to add specific units or infrastructure from other civilizations to their repertoire. Each civilization will also have an "apex age" where it's the most powerful. You can still switch if you want, but I suspect that Time-Tested Civs will quickly become the preferred way to play for many."

"In addition to Time-Tested Civs, this update scraps the Legacy Path system and, in turn, how victories work. Previously, Legacy Paths focused players down one of four paths--cultural, military, scientific, or economic--to progress through ages. Now, players have to complete Triumphs across six attributes--cultural, diplomatic, economic, expansionist, militaristic, and scientific--to progress, giving a bit more freedom in what to pursue."

"Victories are also mostly decoupled from the Triumphs system. It's now possible to pursue military, cultural, economic, and scientific victories as early as the Exploration era, depending on how far ahead you are of your opponents in achieving said victory. Together, Time-Tested Civs, Triumphs, and the reworked victory conditions fundamentally change how Civilization VII works and should go a long way toward winning back fans of the older games who didn't like its changes."

"When Civilization 7 came out, one way it radically differed from previous games in the series was that it had players pick a new Civilization each time they entered a new age. This change was a contentious one within the franchise's community, and the Test of Times update backtracks by introducing " Time-Tested Civs" that withstand age transitions."

Read at GameSpot