7 Wonders: Duel

In 7 Wonders Duel, you journey back to Ancient Egypt to battle against your opponent to build the best empire, although some can say this is an adaption of 7 Wonders, the games are very different, so in my opinion, it’s 100% worth having both (especially if you have lots of different size game groups). I had never played 7 Wonders before playing 7 Wonders duel, but I have heard from others that they are actually very different. 7 Wonders Duel fits in a small box, and with gameplay that lasts around 30 minutes for us, it is perfect to take away with us or play in a lunchtime, a great pick for couples (my main gaming partner is my wife!)

In 7 Wonders Duel you start by taking turns picking which wonders you would like the option to play by taking four each (however in the game only seven are allowed to be built), you take some starting coins and assemble the cards into the first of the three card formations (each round has a different shape). On your turn you will pick one of the currently available cards to either buy, paying any costs and then gain any benefits or resources. Alternatively, a card can be used to fund a wonder, again ensuring you pay any costs or meet the resource requirements.

There are three ages to the game, wherein each subsequent Age the range of resources changes and evolves, advancing your civilisation forward. The game will come to a natural close at the end of the Third Age, where all points are calculated and a winner is declared.

There are three routes to victory, points at the end, alternatively, victory can be achieved through a ‘Scientific’ channel – collecting six of the seven possible scientific icons, or via the ‘Military’ route, whereby you crush your opponent beneath sandal shod foot. These latter two are much harder to achieve – but believe me, it feels really good when you do.

I love how in 7 Wonders Duel there are so many different questions and choices that you can make in a game which makes each game feel different and fresh - probably why we can play this game so many times together! As the game continues so does its pace with each age, as your civilisation becomes more coherent and more structured, choices become clear, but never simpler. Ways and means of blocking your opponent become more recognisable, but ultimately more costly if they don’t also benefit you. Zero-sum exchanges are inherent in 2 player games. Every point you deny your opponent is just as good as gaining a point yourself. In a multiplayer game, this is not true: when you gain a point you gain it relative to everyone; when you deny someone else a point you only gain relative to them, but 3rd parties receive the same benefit.

7 Wonders Duel is a game we regularly get to the table, if only as a warm-up before a longer game, we find its length perfect, you don’t have to over analyse and can just enjoy a great game each time playing this great tug of war game.