7 Wonders (Second Edition) (2020) Board Game

7 Wonders is a popular card drafting game designed by Antoine Bauza and first published in in 2020. The game quickly gained a following due to its innovative gameplay mechanics and strategic depth. In 2020, a second edition of the game was released, featuring updated components and rule adjustments to enhance the overall gaming experience.

Game Components of 7 Wonders

Cards: Era cards now feature bronze, silver, and gold colors instead of the original orange, blue, and purple. The card backs have a sparkly finish, and the fronts have been redesigned.

Wonder Boards: Larger and revised, with new artwork and “night” versions on the B sides.

Box and Insert: A standard-sized 30cm box with a very nice plastic insert that accommodates sleeved cards.

Resources and Tokens: Revised resource costs for some wonders and new chain icons for better visibility and functionality.

How To Setup 7 Wonders

To set up the game, each player selects a wonder board and places it within reach. The era cards are shuffled and separated into their respective ages. Each player is dealt a starting hand of cards, and the game begins with the drafting phase. A new feature includes a manifest of cards to help players know which cards are available in the next era, eliminating guesswork.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Drafting: Players select cards from a hand that is passed around the table, building up their civilization.

Resource Management: Manage resources to build structures, wonders, and military units.

Chain Building: Build chains of cards to gain bonuses and advantages.

Objective: Accumulate the most victory points by developing your civilization on military, scientific, cultural, and economic levels[4%.

Player Experience

The game offers a dynamic and engaging experience with minimal downtime, ensuring each player is always involved. The new edition’s cosmetic and minor gameplay tweaks enhance the overall aesthetic and balance of the game. Players will appreciate the larger wonder boards and the improved chain icon system, although some may need to adjust to the new chain representations.

Pros

Enhanced Aesthetics: New, brighter, and shinier card designs and larger wonder boards.

Improved Balance: Minor tweaks to resource costs and chain building for better balance.

Better Organization: Standard-sized box and helpful manifest of cards.

No Downtime: Engaging gameplay ensures all players are involved throughout the game.

Cons

Minimal Changes: If you already own the original edition, the changes might not be significant enough to warrant a new purchase.

Chain Icon Adjustments: Some players may find the new chain icons less intuitive or require more memorization.

Cost: The new edition is priced at $59.99, which might be a deterrent for those with the original version.

Personal Thoughts on 7 Wonders

**7 Wonders (Second Edition)** is ideal for both new and experienced board game enthusiasts. If you don’t already own the game, this edition is a must-buy for its improved aesthetics and balanced gameplay. For those with the original edition, the decision to upgrade depends on how much value you place on the cosmetic changes and minor gameplay tweaks. The game is particularly suitable for those who enjoy strategy, card drafting, and civilization-building games.

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