Civilization 7has had a bit of a shaky start, with many early adopters criticizing the game’s overly streamlined UI, some of its new Age-related mechanics, and a handful of other issues. But having a mixed reception on launch is nothing new fortheCivilizationfranchise. The last fewCiventries have gotten a lukewarm reception from fans at launch, and that reception has gradually grown more positive over time as Firaxis has continued to add new content to the game and refine its core mechanics.
Firaxis has already begun that process forCivilization 7, releasing a vital day-one patch and promising that more requested features are on the way soon. Firaxis has also already confirmed that at least 4 new leaders and 8 new civilizations will be coming toCiv 7by the end of September, for those who purchasedCiv 7’s Founder and Deluxe editions. But after that, the future ofCivilization 7is unknown, and there’s an opportunity to deliver a crossover that could break new ground for the series.
Civilization 7 Could Break New Ground With a Marvel Crossover DLC
A Marvel Crossover DLC Could Give Civilization 7 a Nice Change of Pace
TheCivilizationfranchise has never really attempted a crossover before. The furthest it’s gone is including a specialXCOM unit inCivilization 5: Brave New World. But a larger scale crossover with one of Firaxis' past games could giveCivilization 7players a nice change of pace in a years' time, once they’ve grown accustomed to all the game’s new mechanics and desire something new again.
In December 2022,Firaxis releasedMarvel’s Midnight Suns, a turn-based strategy game that sees players control a team of iconic Marvel heroes and anti-heroes in a fight against Lilith’s demonic forces. WhileMidnight Sunsmay have been a bit of a commercial disappointment for Marvel, its positive critical reception proves that Firaxis knows how to handle these characters, and portray them in a strategy game setting no less.
Firaxis could take its experience from working onMarvel’s Midnight Sunsand apply it toCivilization 7, bringing a handful of heroes to the4X strategy gamein a crossover DLC later down the line. These hypothetical crossover DLCs could add new world leaders, new units, and a unique Wonder or two, all ripped out of the Marvel universe.
For instance, aCivilization 7Marvel crossover DLCcould add Captain America as a leader. Cap’s leader bonus could give defensive land units and fortifications increased strength and health, his Wonder could be Avengers Tower, and his unique unit could be a S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier. It might be a little complicated to integrate Marvel-themed leaders intoCivilization 7due its new Age and civ-swapping mechanics, but Firaxis could definitely make it work.
A Crossover DLC in Civilization 7 Would Let Marvel Dips Its Toes Into A New Genre
Marvel Games is on a hot streak right now thanks toInsomniac’sSpider-Manseries,Marvel Snap, and the recently releasedMarvel Rivals. All three of these games come from fairly different gaming genres, and it seems likely Marvel will continue to experiment with other genres in the near future. A crossover DLC withCivilization 7would allow Marvel to dip its toes into the 4X genre without taking another fully-fledged risk likeMidnight Suns.
