Sid Meier’s Civilization 7is going to be packed with a ton ofnew changes and fresh gameplaymechanics that will give players an entirely differentCivexperience than they’ve had in the past, and one change provides a new way to play shorter games. The new Ages system divides each campaign up into just three major stages:the Antiquity Age, Exploration Age, and Modern Age. Each Age hasdistinct Legacy Pathsfor four separate familiar categories: Military, Economic, Science, and Culture.
All of these updates aim to create a more balanced experience for a broader range of players and make the game more accessible and approachable for new audiences. One concern being addressed is how the micromanaging aspects ofCivmight drag games out longer than needed, even when opting for a game on the accelerated Online or Quick settings.Civ 7addresses this by including a shorter game mode, the Single Age mode.The Single Age gameplay mode inCiv 7will give players a shorter option, but it’s one that will limit Victory Conditions substantially.

How The Single Age Game Mode Works
Civ 7 Lets You Play A Short Game In One Of Its Three Ages
Civilization 7’sSingle Age gameplay mode allows players to compete in a short campaign limited to just one of the three Ages. Each of these will require different strategies and will still revolve around Legacy Paths, though in a more limited capacity. Each Age will require a range of strategies and will introduce new challenges in many ways. In a regularCiv 7campaign, Legacy Paths build across the Ages and culminate in the Modern Age, triggering different Victory Conditions depending on the category. However,none of these Victory Conditions will be available in a Single Age game.
Civ 7’s New Combat System Explained
Civ 7 will introduce new combat systems including Commanders and disciplines, siege warfare, and improved combat animations.
Instead, the Single Age gameplay mode utilizes the defaultScore Victory inCiv 7, which is based on Legacy Points. Legacy Points are still earned through completing Legacy Path milestones;they simply do not culminate in any special Victory Conditions, such as the Operation Ivy project that would complete the Military Legacy Path Victory. Players will need to strategize around completing as many milestones from each of the four Legacy Paths as possible before the Age comes to an end, resulting in a condensed version of a regular campaign.

Single-Age Games Are Shorter, But Limit Victory Options
No Victory Conditions Means Highest Score Wins
Limiting the Victory options in a Single Age game results from Victory Conditions only being available in the Modern Age, soan Antiquity or Exploration Age Legacy Path would not culminate with Victory Conditionsbeing triggered. It’s unclear if the Victory Condition projects (i.e. Space Race, Operation Ivy, etc.) will still be a part of a Single Age game in the Modern Age, or if they simply do not result in a win when completed. While the Single Age gameplay mode offers players a shorter option, it will also require an entirely different strategy that might put certain leaders or Civs at a disadvantage.
How Religion Works In Civ 7 And Why It’s An Improvement From Civ 6
Civilization 7 no longer has a Religious Victory like Civ 6, but has improved Religion and how it works by making it more historically accurate.
The Single Age mode will need to be balanced because leaders and civilizations have the potential to favor certain Victory types, and itisn’t clear yet if each Legacy Path is weighted equally across all three Ages. It’s possible certain civilizations would have an advantage or disadvantage depending on the Age. A shorter option is great for players without the time for a lengthy campaign, but it may not be as fulfilling as a Legacy Path Victory. Players will have to decide for themselves how the Single Age game mode for shorter games compares to a regular game ofCivilization 7.
