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, along with details on engaging new campaign mechanics, highlights the game's growing momentum ahead of its release.

Claiming the Top Spot

The December 6th PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted showcased the top 25 games of 2025, as voted on by The Council, a panel of over 70 developers, creators, and editors. Civ VII secured the number one position. The event also featured trailers and updates for other highly anticipated titles.

Other notable titles in the rankings included Doom: The Dark Ages (2nd), Monster Hunter Wilds (3rd), and Slay the Spire 2 (4th). The list notably excluded Hollow Knight: Silksong.

Civilization VII launches simultaneously on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch on February 11, 2025.

Revolutionizing Campaigns with the "Ages" Mechanic

Addressing player feedback regarding campaign completion rates in Civ VI, Creative Director Ed Beach introduced the "Ages" mechanic. This system divides a single playthrough into three distinct eras: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. Players can transition between historically linked civilizations at the end of each Age, mirroring the rise and fall of real-world empires.

This transition isn't random; connections must exist between civilizations (e.g., the Roman Empire might transition to the French Empire, with the Norman Empire serving as a bridge). Leaders persist across Ages, maintaining player connection to their empire and rivals. An "overbuild" feature allows for constructing new buildings atop existing ones, while Wonders and certain structures remain throughout the playthrough.

This innovative approach allows players to experience multiple civilizations within a single campaign, offering diverse challenges and strategic options while maintaining a sense of continuity.