7 Wonders (2010) – Board Game Guys

Brief History and Background Information of 7 Wonders Board Game of 7 Wonders

7 Wonders is a board game created by Antoine Bauza and published by Repos Production (Asmodee) in 2010. It is a dedicated deck card game that features ancient civilizations. At the start of the game, each player randomly receives a gameboard called a “Wonder board”. Each board depicts one of Antipater of Sidon’s original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Players place cards representing various materials and structures around their Wonder boards. The boards are double-sided; the wonders on side A are generally easier to build, while those on side B grant more interesting benefits.

Why is 7 Wonders popular?

7 Wonders is the most awarded game in the world, with close to 2 million copies sold across the world and more than 30 international awards. It is a game that is easy to learn but has strategic depth, making it accessible to a broad range of players. The game’s ancient civilization theme and immersive illustrations also add to its popularity.

Game Components of 7 Wonders Board Game of 7 Wonders

Gameboard called a “Wonder board”
Cards representing various materials and structures
Coins
Military conflict tokens
Victory point tokens

Game Setup of 7 Wonders Board Game of 7 Wonders

Each player randomly receives a gameboard called a “Wonder board”
Each board depicts one of Antipater of Sidon’s original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
Players receive a starting hand of cards
The game is played over three ages, each using its own decks of cards

Gameplay Mechanics of 7 Wonders Board Game of 7 Wonders

Each player selects a card to play from their hand, then passes the remaining cards (face-down) to the next player
This process is repeated until five out of the seven cards have been played
Players can use cards to build structures, gain resources, or engage in military conflicts
The game uses a card-drafting mechanic

Game Objective of 7 Wonders Board Game of 7 Wonders

The objective of the game is to accumulate victory points by building structures, engaging in military conflicts, and gaining resources.

7 Wonders is a game that is easy to learn but has strategic depth, making it accessible to a broad range of players. It is a fast-paced game that can be played in under an hour. The game’s ancient civilization theme and immersive illustrations also add to its popularity.

Variations and Expansions of 7 Wonders

Cities expansion: introduces nine city cards (with a black background) to each age
Leaders expansion: introduces leader cards to the game
Armada expansion: introduces naval warfare to the game

Related Games

7 Wonders Duel: a two-player game in the same universe as 7 Wonders.

Conclusion

7 Wonders is a fast-paced, easy-to-learn board game that features ancient civilizations. It is the most awarded game in the world, with close to 2 million copies sold across the world and more than 30 international awards. The game’s ancient civilization theme and immersive illustrations add to its popularity. 7 Wonders is a game that is easy to learn but has strategic depth, making it accessible to a broad range of players. It is a must-have in modern board gaming.

Game Components of 7 Wonders

Cards: Three decks of cards, each representing a different age, with various structures, technologies, and military units.

Wonder Boards: Each player has a wonder board representing one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Tokens: Resource tokens (wood, stone, clay, glass, papyrus), military tokens, and victory point tokens.

Rulebook: Detailed instructions on how to play the game.

Randomizer Cards: Originally included to randomize the distribution of wonders (removed in the 2020 edition).

Simulated Third Player Cards: Originally included for two-player games (removed in the 2020 edition).

How To Setup 7 Wonders

To set up 7 Wonders, each player chooses a wonder board and receives a set of age 1 cards. Players also receive starting resources based on their wonder board. The age 1 cards are shuffled and dealt out evenly among the players. Each player then selects a card to play and passes the remaining cards to the next player. This process is repeated for each age.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Drafting: Players select cards from a hand passed to them, choosing to play a card or discard it to build a wonder stage.

Resource Management: Players manage resources to build structures and technologies.

Military Confrontations: Players engage in military conflicts with neighbors.

Victory Points: The objective is to accumulate the most victory points through various means such as building structures, technologies, military victories, and completing wonder stages.

Player Experience

Playing 7 Wonders involves strategic planning and resource management. Players must balance their resource collection with the need to build structures, defend against military threats, and complete their wonder. The game requires a mix of short-term and long-term strategies, making it engaging and challenging.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Offers complex and engaging gameplay.

Replayability: The random distribution of cards ensures different experiences each game.

Beautiful Artwork: Especially enhanced in the 2020 edition with night and day themes.

Quick Games: Typically takes about 30-45 minutes to play.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: New players may find the rules and mechanics overwhelming.

Player Interaction: Limited direct interaction with other players, which may not appeal to some.

Component Changes: Some players may miss the randomizer cards and simulated third player cards from the original edition.

Personal Thoughts on 7 Wonders

7 Wonders is ideal for fans of strategic card games and those who enjoy resource management and long-term planning. It is suitable for players who appreciate a game that requires thought and strategy but is not overly complex in terms of direct player interaction. If you are new to board games or prefer more straightforward gameplay, this might not be the best starting point. However, for those already familiar with card drafting and resource management, 7 Wonders is a must-play.

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