Table of Contents
Civilization 7 brings a whole new way to progress through the game. Instead of just picking a civ and running with it, you need to think ahead. The game moves through three major Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. And your choices early on? They’ll shape your entire journey.
Want to master Civilization 7? Then you need to understand how this system works. Let’s dive into how to unlock civilizations and dominate the ages.
How Civilization Unlocks Work
Civilization 7 Guide: Unlocking Every Civilization
When you start, you pick a civilization from the Antiquity Age. This decision isn’t just for the early game—it determines which civilizations you can unlock later. The game follows historical and geographic connections, making the progression feel natural.
But if you want more freedom? You can unlock civilizations by completing in-game objectives. The “Player Unlocks” screen tracks your progress, so you can plan your next move. These objectives could be anything from military victories to economic achievements. That means multiple paths to success.
All Civilization Unlocks in Civilization 7
Antiquity Age Civilizations and Their Unlocks
- Han → Ming, Mongolia → Qing
- Aksum → Songhai (no automatic Modern Age unlocks)
- Egypt → Abbasid, Songhai (no direct Modern Age unlocks)
- Maya → Hawai’i, Inca → Mexico
- Rome → Norman, Spain → America, French Empire, Prussia
- Greece → Norman, Spain → Russia
- Maurya → Chola, Majapahit (no automatic Modern Age unlocks)
- Khmer → Chola, Majapahit → Siam
- Persia → Abbasid, Mongolia → Mughal
- Mississippian → Shawnee, Hawai’i, Inca (no automatic Modern Age unlocks)
Exploration Age Civilizations and Their Modern Age Unlocks
- Majapahit → Meiji Japan
- Chola → Mughal, Siam
- Mongolia → Qing, Russia
- Shawnee → America, Mexico
- Hawai’i → Meiji Japan
- Abbasid → Buganda, Mughal
- Norman → America, French Empire
- Inca → Mexico
- Spain → Mexico
- Songhai → Buganda
- Ming → Qing
Modern-Age Civilizations and Their Unlock Requirements
- Russia → 3 Settlements on Tundra
- America → 3 Distant Land Settlements in Plains/Grasslands
- Meiji Japan → Improve 3 Tea resources
- Buganda → Settle 2 Cities near a Lake
- Siam → Build 4 Temples or improve 3 Ivory resources
- Qing → Improve 3 Jade resources
- Mexico → 3 Distant Land Settlements in Desert/Tropical terrain
- Prussia → 3 Army Commanders or improve 3 Niter resources
- Mughal → Improve 3 Salt tiles or maintain 4 Trade Routes with unique civilizations
- French Empire → Improve 3 Wine resources
Leader-Based Civilization Unlocks
Leaders matter. Some automatically unlock civilizations, while others offer unique benefits. But just because a leader has an unlock doesn’t mean they’re your best option.
- Ashoka → Unlocks Chola
- Amina → Unlocks Songhai (Exploration) and Buganda (Modern)
- Himiko → Unlocks Meiji Japan
- Friedrich → Unlocks Prussia
- Napoleon → Unlocks French Empire
- Catherine the Great → Unlocks Russia
- Isabella → Unlocks Spain → Mexico
- Confucius → Unlocks Ming → Qing
- Benjamin Franklin → Unlocks America
- Tecumseh → Unlocks Shawnee → America or Mexico
- Trung Trac → Unlocks Majapahit (no automatic Modern unlocks)
- Harriet Tubman → Unlocks America
- Xerxes → No automatic civilization unlocks
These leader-based unlocks add another layer of strategy. Choose wisely!
How to Unlock Civilizations Through Gameplay
Civilization 7 Guide: Unlocking Every Civilization
Automatic unlocks are great, but if you want more control, completing in-game conditions is the way to go. Some are easy, others take serious planning.
Unlocking Exploration Age Civilizations
- Chola → 3 Settlements with City Centers next to Coastal tiles
- Shawnee → Improve 3 Hides or become Suzerain of 2 City-States
- Ming → Improve 3 Silk resources or have 8 different resources in one Settlement
- Inca → 3 Settlements with at least 3 Mountains each
- Hawai’i → Settle on an Island with a max of 15 land tiles
- Majapahit → Improve 3 Pearl tiles
- Mongolia → 3 Siege units or improve 3 Horses
- Abbasid → Improve 3 Camel tiles
- Spain → Reconquer a lost Settlement
- Norman → Improve 3 Iron resources or build 5 Walls
Mastering Civilization Progression
Every game in Civilization 7 is different. You can follow history or break the mold. Whether you focus on military conquest, economic power, or cultural influence, unlocking the right civilizations at the right time makes all the difference.
- Plan ahead. Your early civilization affects later unlocks.
- Use leaders strategically. Some offer key civilization unlocks.
- Complete objectives. Unlock civilizations faster with specific in-game goals.
Master the progression system, and you’ll be on your way to leading your civilization to victory. Now, get out there and start conquering!
Also Read: Google Tightens Gambling Ad Policies: What You Need To Know
