What It Adds:
7 Wonders Cities feels like the expansion
that adds the most to the base game of 7 Wonders. Players are now dealt eight
cards each age with the extra cards consisting of a new type - black City
Cards.
These City cards (aside from some that are
more powerful versions of previously seen cards), bring a couple new symbols
and effects by way of Debt, Diplomacy and Masks which allow you to copy a
science symbol from a neighbour. The new Debt mechanic found on the City
Cards causes all other players to lose the respective number of coins as
indicated, or pay the price of debt which results in negative victory points.
Playing a card with a Diplomacy icon will grant you a dove for that age and
remove you from the end of age conflict. Instead your neighbours face
each other in the military battle which is handy if you are focused on other
parts of your wonder aside from military.
With eight cards now being dealt each age,
Cities also expands the game by allowing up to eight players and also has rules
for a team variant.
New Components:
Aside from the aforementioned black City
Cards, 7 Wonders Cities adds a bit of everything with new Guild Cards, Leaders
and Wonders that are designed to benefit and work with the new City cards.
There are also tokens for debt and diplomacy and a new expanded score card to
reflect the extra categories of the Cities expansion.
My Thoughts:
Debt. Diplomacy. Black City Cards.
7 Wonders Cities is an expansion I no longer play 7 Wonders without. It adds a few new rules by way of some extra symbols, but the changes while minor, have quite an impact on general play. Debt doesn't come into things as much as I'd like especially when there's City cards that can give you nine gold, but it can still cripple your opponents when used effectively. Diplomacy is a great tool when your focused on victory points from areas other than military and can frustrate opponents when they realise they no longer have the upper hand for the upcoming conflict. Both great additions in their own respect, but it's the black City cards that really make the expansion for me.
7 Wonders Cities is an expansion I no longer play 7 Wonders without. It adds a few new rules by way of some extra symbols, but the changes while minor, have quite an impact on general play. Debt doesn't come into things as much as I'd like especially when there's City cards that can give you nine gold, but it can still cripple your opponents when used effectively. Diplomacy is a great tool when your focused on victory points from areas other than military and can frustrate opponents when they realise they no longer have the upper hand for the upcoming conflict. Both great additions in their own respect, but it's the black City cards that really make the expansion for me.
By design a good amount of the City
cards will cost you gold to acquire which balances perfectly with the constant
threat of debt, and with cards that allow five military shields you never can
be too sure of winning your conflict further adding some tension each time the
cards are passed. Even just having an 8th card each age allows the opportunity to build your wonder greater than ever before and combining Cities and Leaders creates potential for a very high scoring game. For our group, team play wasn't as good as it sounded and
the extra eighth player is neither here nor there, but it's nice to have those
options. There is a few new symbols to learn, but in general Cities is
very easy to pick up and I even include it when I am introducing the odd new player into our group.
My Verdict:
Blends in well with Leaders but also excellent on it's own.
City cards are often coveted and useful
