Right now it feels like we have gone from the traditional Civ sandbox to a forced narrative
I'm interested in this idea. I suppose I have two questions, and I'm keen to get your thoughts on them, because I'm not sure I am fully understanding your concern. 1) How much of a sandbox is Civ VI, really? 2) How much of a forced narrative will VII be, really? i.e., do you really think it will feel very different to play?
Thinking about it myself, I'd say most of the things that I would consider sandbox in VI are likely to be in VII too. I can't ignore everything else in order to beeline sailing techs and become the first civ to circumnavigate the world as early as possible. But how often do I do that in VI? I might have done it once, I suppose... I can't completely ignore military techs and have warriors in the late game. But does anyone actually do that in VI? Maybe, but only because the VI AI is a bit pants so doesn't punish you, I'd hardly say it's a rich sandbox experience.
Other things that I would consider sandbox: I deliberately settle cities in sub-optimal locations just because I think they look better, this can still be done in VII. I pursue specific wonders because they're cool, this can be done in VII. I go yield / adjacency hunting because why not, looks like this can be done in VII. I randomly pick an AI opponent to be my best buddy and one to be my mortal enemy, looks like this will be better in VII.
I understand that, in theory, with an entirely free game, you can have situations where you discover a new continent and find that all the civs are way behind you in tech, but has this ever actually happened to anyone with Civ VI? The game mostly follows a linear path, unless you're messing about, so I'm not sure I see what is so different with the Ages and Crisis mechanics?
Genuinely interested in your thoughts, not looking to change your mind or anything like that.