Why such an uncreative approach to religion?

[VanCrayden]

God, why is Firaxis so attached to this religion system from the fifth game? In Civ V, it was fresh; in VI, they developed this system, which was okay. But in VII, it's the same again, only now it's even worse—it's basically a leftover mechanic from VI. Who told them that having one religion per civilization is so wonderful? It's completely unhistorical, and moreover, this same mechanic across three games has become tiresome. Why not create a religion system that is independent of civilizations? Just look at Old World or Civ IV. They have excellent systems. Why does everyone always play to see who has the better religion? Where's the global block of Christianity? Where's the global Islam? Why can't a civilization that develops religiousness become a world center for religions and establish 2 or 3 religions at once? These are unanswered questions. Yet for the third time, we're being fed the same religious mechanics as if it's the most successful approach. Come up with a new approach to religion, Firaxis!

 

[Zaarin]

Yes, I was extremely disappointed to see religion not only based on the same mechanics but made worse in every possible way. I would be overjoyed if the first expansion were a new Gods & Kings, overhauling religion and government. (I'm not holding my breath, though.)

 

[bbbt]

It feels very placeholder/rushed, like a lot of things in the game. The stripped down version of 7. The 2 civic 'theology' tree.

Like they decided they needed religion, and wanted a mechanic that was different in each era, and were like "well we don't have time to figure it out, just figure out a low effort version of 6's"

Ideology feels similar to me tbh. They know players liked it in 5 and wanted it back, but gave a very barebones version of it.

It feels like they could have come with a more fleshed out mechanic and it used it for both - ie religious pressure and spread can also be used for ideological pressure and spread in the modern age or something like that.

 

[Trav'ling Canuck]

I suspect this is intended to be a core feature of an upcoming DLC. The base religion mechanics are stream-lined versions of Civ 6's, likely because they chose not to devote programmer time to this area for the base game, and instead allocated it to an expansion.

 

[tman2000]

God, why is Firaxis so attached to this religion system from the fifth game? In Civ V, it was fresh; in VI, they developed this system, which was okay. But in VII, it's the same again, only now it's even worse—it's basically a leftover mechanic from VI. Who told them that having one religion per civilization is so wonderful? It's completely unhistorical, and moreover, this same mechanic across three games has become tiresome. Why not create a religion system that is independent of civilizations? Just look at Old World or Civ IV. They have excellent systems. Why does everyone always play to see who has the better religion? Where's the global block of Christianity? Where's the global Islam? Why can't a civilization that develops religiousness become a world center for religions and establish 2 or 3 religions at once? These are unanswered questions. Yet for the third time, we're being fed the same religious mechanics as if it's the most successful approach. Come up with a new approach to religion, Firaxis!

It really does feel like they developed this system in the last 12-15 months from scratch as a bare minimum product. I don't know how you spend 6-8 years to make... this.

 

[evonannoredars]

Fingers crossed a DLC rework also has religion options that aren't just Eurasian religions!

 

[Zaarin]

Fingers crossed a DLC rework also has religion options that aren't just Eurasian religions!

Here's hoping Tomatekh ports his Historical Religions mod in its entirety when modding tools are more complete. And that Civ7 eventually makes me care enough about my religion to make it worthwhile.

 

[Banazir864]

God, why is Firaxis so attached to this religion system from the fifth game? In Civ V, it was fresh; in VI, they developed this system, which was okay. But in VII, it's the same again, only now it's even worse—it's basically a leftover mechanic from VI. Who told them that having one religion per civilization is so wonderful? It's completely unhistorical, and moreover, this same mechanic across three games has become tiresome. Why not create a religion system that is independent of civilizations? Just look at Old World or Civ IV. They have excellent systems. Why does everyone always play to see who has the better religion? Where's the global block of Christianity? Where's the global Islam? Why can't a civilization that develops religiousness become a world center for religions and establish 2 or 3 religions at once? These are unanswered questions. Yet for the third time, we're being fed the same religious mechanics as if it's the most successful approach. Come up with a new approach to religion, Firaxis!

I always thought that the religion system from Civ IV (where religions arise organically* and you simply choose how to react to them) was the most realistic. For that matter, I preferred Civ IV's civic system over V-VII---it felt the most like an actual government adopting core philosophies on each of the main issues before it rather than just specific policies (like in VI-VII) or traditions that stuck around permanently (like in V).

*-Yes, you can see which techs will unlock each religion and deliberately try to ensure one or more of them is founded in your nation, but that's part and parcel of the player knowing what techs/units/etc. will become available later in the game and planning for them. It's not realistic, but there's no reasonable way around it.

 

[Patine]

Why can't a civilization that develops religiousness become a world center for religions and establish 2 or 3 religions at once?

You mean, like India, China, Iran, Israel, or the U.S.? It is a very good question.

 

[Patine]

Where's the global block of Christianity? Where's the global Islam?

Both are far too internally (and violently) divisive to be properly called, "blocs," but again, a very good point. Also, with Buddhism.