Over the past two decades, issues related to near-field phenomena have gained significant importance in both seismology and civil engineering. One facet of this significance involves shedding light on the mechanisms underlying earthquakes and elucidating emerging phenomena. Another dimension pertains to ground motions, commonly designated by engineers as a form of input load crucial for seismic structural design, often capable of influencing the final design outcomes. Various experiments, assessments of performance, and other relevant considerations are all anchored in the specific type of load identified. Consequently, alterations like this load can significantly impact multiple facets of civil engineering. Consequently, there is a desire to understand the characteristics of the load and the corresponding responses exhibited by structures. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current state-of-the-art in addressing near-field issues within civil engineering, encompassing the intrinsic features of near-field ground motions and their effects on civil structures. Identified challenges are highlighted, and areas requiring further exploration in future research are proposed. The anticipation is that the insights presented in this paper will prove valuable in advancing the ongoing investigation into near-field problems.