When my wife told me that she heard of a nice board game called 7 Wonders, I didn’t have a clue what it was. I didn’t do any research on it or anything, but just bought it for her. We didn’t have a lot of time to play it back then, so I took it to my board game Friday evening meet. The rest is history. Now we own all the expansions, know every card by heart, downloaded and printed all the custom fan made expansions and played the game for many many hours.
Do you have 7 Wonders on your shopping list but are unsure if it’s the right game for you? Look nowhere else! I’ll try to give you all the details you need to know in this comprehensive 7 Wonders buying guide so you can make an informed choice. I’ll try to be as unbiased as possible 😀
It is also important to mention that the game had a 2nd edition reprint that had some minor changes to the base board game, and if you’re buying it new, you should get the 2nd edition. If you are buying a used game, look for the game version, so you can match it with potential expansions later on. The two versions of the game cannot be combined and played together.
What is 7 Wonders?
At its core, the 7 Wonders base game by Repos production is a board game for three to seven players, set in the ancient world. In this board game, players assume the roles of the rulers of one of the seven major cities of the era with the objective of creating the most impressive civilization possible through resource gathering, building, and technological advancement. Players get points for their accomplishments at the end of each of the game’s three ages. At the end of the third age, the player with the most points wins.
The 7 Wonders base game includes everything you need to play the game, including game boards, cards, tokens, and a rulebook.
The game boards represent the seven great cities, and players must use their cards to construct buildings and advance their civilization. The cards include resource cards, construction cards, and science cards, and players must carefully manage their resources and plan their strategies in order to succeed.
What’s in the box
7 Wonder boards:
- The Great Pyramid of Giza
- The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
- The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
- The Statue of Zeus at Olympia
- The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
- The Colossus of Rhodes
- The Lighthouse of Alexandria
- 148 Age cards: 49 Age I cards, 49 Age II cards, and 50 Age III cards
- 78 Coins: 54 Coins worth 1 and 24 Coins worth 3
- 48 Military Conflict tokens: 24 Defeats and 24 Victories (8 per Age)
- 1 score pad
- 3 Description of Effects sheets
- 1 List of cards and chains sheet
- Rulebook
How is it played?
The simplicity of the 7 Wonders base game is one of its best qualities. A full game of 7 Wonders can be finished in about an hour, sometimes even less, despite the fact that it is a very strategic game. Because of this, it’s an excellent game for players of all skill levels, including those who are new to board games or strategy games.
Additionally, the simplicity of the 7 Wonders base game means that players can focus on the gameplay and strategy. They don’t have to be bogged down by complex rules or lengthy setup. This makes for a seamless and entertaining experience. Players can jump into the game and begin building their civilization right away.
Easy but still has a lot to offer
The fact that 7 Wonders is simple to pick up and play, doesn’t imply that it has a low level of strategy. The game gives players a lot of strategic options and choices. In order to maximize their resources and advance their civilization, players must carefully select which cards to play on each turn. They must also keep an eye on what their opponents are doing in order to outsmart them. This gives the game a ton of depth and guarantees that players will need to strategize and plan in order to win.
One of the game’s distinguishing qualities and the reason it’s such a fun game to play is how straightforward the 7 Wonders base game is. You’ll discover that 7 Wonders is simple to learn and quick to play, yet it has plenty of depth and difficulty to keep you interested for hours, whether you’re an experienced board game player or a newbie to the world of strategic games.
Expansions to the game
- Leaders expansion: This expansion introduces new leader cards that give players special abilities and bonuses. The leader cards are drafted before the rest of the cards and played before the age cards each age. The expansion must be played with the base game, and can be combined with all the other expansions.
- Cities expansion: This expansion adds an extra layer of strategy to the base game by allowing players to build “black” cities cards in addition to their regular age cards. New cards are shuffled in with the age cards and drafted as in the base game. Players can use these new cities cards to earn bonuses, such as extra points, gold coins or resources.
- Babel expansion: This expansion adds a new tower mechanic to the game, in which players can build a tower of Babel to gain benefits such as extra resources or points. It also introduces a new wonder board that gives players additional abilities and bonuses. This expansion is my least favorite because it has some mechanics that are not natural to the 7 Wonders game flow. You can use some of the tower pieces to block other players, block resource production and effectively, block someone from the game. No reprint for the 2nd edition was made for the babel expansion, for the reason I mentioned before.
- Armada expansion: This expansion introduces a naval theme to the game, with new Armada age cards, Island cards and Shipyards. It’s a great addition to the base game, adds an extra layer of strategy and plays thematically well with the base board game and expansions. It can be played with only the base game, or any other combinations of the expansions.
Is it worth buying?
In conclusion, the 7 Wonders board game is a unique and engaging way to spend time with friends and family. With its rich theme and strategic gameplay, it offers endless replayability and a unique experience every time. When it comes to purchasing the game, there are several factors to consider, including the number of players, expansion options, and of course, pricing.
When it comes to pricing, the base game can be found for around $60. While this may seem like a steep price for a board game, the high quality components and endless replayability make it a worthwhile investment. Additionally, many retailers offer bundle deals where you can purchase the base game and expansions at a discounted price.
If you ask me, the 7 Wonders board game is a fantastic choice for any board game enthusiast. Its engaging gameplay and beautiful artwork make it a must-have for any collection. With its multiple expansion options and replayability, it offers endless hours of entertainment and is well worth the investment. So, if you’re looking to add a new game to your collection, the 7 Wonders board game is a fantastic choice.
Pros:
- Engaging gameplay that encourages strategic thinking and planning
- A variety of different strategies and approaches to the game
- Beautiful artwork and high-quality components
- Easy to learn and teach to others
Cons:
- Can be overwhelming for new players who just entered the board game world
- Limited replayability, if you don’t like strategizing a lot
- The base game can be drawn out with larger groups
- Expansions can add additional complexity and cost to the game
Frequently asked questions about 7 Wonders board game
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What is 7 Wonders?
- 7 Wonders is a board game for 2-7 players that was designed by Antoine Bauza and published by Repos Production in 2010. It is a civilization-building game in which players must gather resources, develop their civilization, and build Wonders of the World.
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How do you play 7 Wonders?
- In 7 Wonders, players take turns drafting cards from a pool of available cards. These cards represent resources, buildings, and scientific achievements that players can use to advance their civilization. Each player starts the game with a hand of 7 cards, and they must choose which cards to keep and which to discard. The game is played in three ages, and at the end of each age, players score points based on the cards they have collected and the Wonders they have built.
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What is the objective of 7 Wonders?
- The objective of 7 Wonders is to score the most points by the end of the game. Players can score points in several ways, including by building Wonders of the World, collecting sets of cards, and fulfilling certain objectives on their cards.
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Is 7 Wonders a good game for beginners?
- Yes, 7 Wonders is a great game for beginners. It has a simple and straightforward gameplay that is easy to learn, but it also has enough depth and strategy to keep more experienced players engaged.
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How long does a game of 7 Wonders take to play?
- A game of 7 Wonders typically takes about 30 minutes to play. However, the exact length of the game can vary depending on the number of players and their level of experience.
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Is 7 Wonders worth buying?
- 7 Wonders is a popular and well-regarded board game that has won numerous awards. It has a high replay value and is suitable for players of all skill levels, making it a worthwhile purchase for any board game enthusiast.
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How much does 7 Wonders cost?
- Typically around $60 for the base version of the game. Depending on where you buy it and any available discounts or promotions, the cost of 7 Wonders may change.
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Where can I buy 7 Wonders?
- Board game stores: Many cities have specialty board game stores that carry a wide selection of games, including 7 Wonders.
- Online retailers: You can purchase 7 Wonders from online retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and Target.
- Manufacturer’s website: You can also purchase 7 Wonders directly from the makers of the game.
- Local game stores: Many cities have local game stores that carry a selection of board games.
- Conventions and events: If you attend conventions or events focused on board games, you may be able to purchase 7 Wonders directly from the manufacturer or from vendors at the event. Is 7 Wonders worth the price?
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How does 7 Wonders compare to other board games in terms of gameplay and replayability?
- 7 Wonders is easy to learn, but has a high level of strategic depth, making it enjoyable for both casual and serious gamers. 7 Wonders also has high replayability, as each game is different due to the randomized card drafting mechanic and the numerous ways that players can develop their 7 civilizations.
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Is 7 Wonders suitable for all ages, or is it more geared towards certain age groups?
- 7 Wonders is generally considered suitable for players aged 10 and up. The game has a moderate level of complexity, and can be played by all.
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What is the overall quality of the components (e.g. cards, board, etc.) in 7 Wonders?
- 7 Wonders’ parts are typically thought to be of very high quality overall. A durable gaming board, premium playing cards, and well-made player boards and tokens are all included. The artwork on the cards and boards is also highly regarded and adds to the theme and immersion of the game. Cards can become slightly worn or creased over time with heavy use, but this is to be expected with any card game and does not significantly impact the gameplay experience. If you plan to play it often, some sleeves for cards can be a life saver.
