Lack of colour

[11keutja]

I wanted to raise a few concerns regarding the new Civilization VII game, particularly around the aesthetic choices and how they seem to affect gameplay immersion. One of the main issues I’ve noticed is the drastic lack of colour in the game. In Civ 6, there was a clear effort to use vibrant, distinguishable colours to differentiate districts, settlements, cities, and leaders, which helped create a visually engaging experience. Unfortunately, in Civ 7, everything appears to be oversaturated with dull, gray tones, which diminishes the overall vibrancy of the game world.

In today’s world, where colour and diversity play a significant role in visual storytelling, this gray-scale approach feels especially out of place. It not only makes it harder to distinguish between important elements on the map, but it also makes the entire game feel lifeless. This seems like a missed opportunity to enhance both the aesthetic and gameplay experience. As the article I’ve linked discusses, the trend toward desaturated visuals is a broader societal shift, but in a game like Civilization, it’s important to have a palette that draws players in and makes each civilization feel unique.

Beyond the colour issue, there are a few other concerns that I believe need attention. For example, the lack of differentiation between different types of cities and districts could make strategic planning feel less intuitive, as it’s harder to quickly assess what is happening where. The art style of leaders also feels much less distinctive, as they now blend into the background rather than standing out as key characters with unique identities.

Moreover, the user interface could use improvements in clarity and ease of navigation. In previous iterations, there was a better balance between detailed information and readability, but the latest version feels a bit too cluttered, which can be overwhelming during complex game phases.

I hope these points are taken into consideration in future updates, as they could significantly improve both the visual appeal and strategic depth of the game.

For a broader perspective on the trend of reduced colour in modern media and its impact, here’s an article that might provide some useful context: Link to the article.

[Cythal]

I second this. I unfortunately have to turn up my saturation from GPU settings to very high and actually enjoy the game. The map is also smeared in clay muddy grounds making me miss the distinctive lush grounds and heavy vegetation from Civ Beyond Earth. Yes I was not a fan of the aesthetics in Civ VI.

Humankind is so satisfying to look at and i know it is not for everyone. But one thing that is clear, as well as in Civ 7 is that if I look at my map, I can tell which district is Research, Production or Religious district.

So yeah I second this. Not sure if it is too late. I guess modders may unfortunately have to do this now themselves. Maybe it is time to learn modding myself and manipulate textures to my liking.

Additionally, allow UI to take the colour of our nation. I am not sure what the background colours you unlock do. It says background but which background.