The Great Wall (2021) Board Game

The Great Wall is a board game released in 2021 by Awaken Realms. It is designed by Kamil ‘Sanex’ Cieśla, Robert Plesowicz, and Łukasz Włodarczyk, with artwork by Piotr Gacek. The game is set in a fantasy world where players take on the roles of generals tasked with defending the Great Wall against hordes of invading monsters.

Game Components of The Great Wall

Game board featuring the Great Wall of China

Worker and soldier tokens

Resource tokens

Mongolian Horde AI components

Building and defense tiles

Player boards and character cards

Expansion packs (including meeples version).

How To Setup The Great Wall

To set up the game, players first construct the game board by placing the Great Wall tiles. Each player selects their character and places their player board. Resources and tokens are distributed, and the Mongolian Horde AI is prepared according to the rules. The game starts with players building and defending the Great Wall against the constant attacks from the Mongolian Horde.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Asymmetric Worker/Soldier Placement: Players place workers and soldiers to build and defend the Great Wall.

Engine Building: Players develop their characters and resources over time.

Constant AI Attacks: The Mongolian Horde AI attacks the wall, adding a dynamic and challenging element.

Objective: The goal is to successfully build and defend the Great Wall while managing resources and fending off the Mongolian Horde.

Player Experience

The Great Wall offers a challenging and engaging experience, particularly for fans of worker placement and euro games. The asymmetric gameplay and the constant threat from the Mongolian Horde AI add a layer of complexity and excitement. The game is suitable for players who enjoy strategic planning and resource management.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: Combines worker placement and engine building effectively.

Dynamic AI: The Mongolian Horde AI adds a unique and challenging element.

Thematic Depth: Immersive setting in ancient China.

High Replayability: Varied gameplay due to the AI and different player characters.

Cons

Complexity: May be overwhelming for new players due to the asymmetric gameplay and AI mechanics.

Price Point: Some players may find it expensive, especially with expansions.

Personal Thoughts on The Great Wall

The Great Wall is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts who appreciate complex mechanics and a strong thematic setting. It is particularly suited for those who enjoy strategic planning, resource management, and the challenge of an AI opponent. While it may not be the best fit for casual players due to its complexity, it offers a rich and engaging experience for those willing to dive in. For two-player games, the dynamic AI ensures that the experience remains engaging and challenging, and the meeples version can be a worthwhile expansion for those who enjoy the game’s aesthetic and additional components.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.