7 Wonders: Architects | A Review by Tabletop Meeple

 7 Wonders: Architects

a review by Tabletop Meeple


Info:

  • For 2-7 players
  • For ages 8 and up
  • 25 minutes to play
  • BGG Weight: 1.34

Game Overview

    7 Wonders: Architects is the new light spin on the 7 Wonders franchise, which came out in 2021. Designed by Antoine Bauza and published by Repos Production. It's a very light take on the 7 Wonders concept. In the game, you are rushing to complete a monument to earn victory points. It's all very simple, and I am excited to review this game.
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Solid art through and through, with very solid graphic direction for the game.


Theme

    7 Wonders: Architects isn't a thematic game, per se. It has a theme there, we're all trying to racing to build ancient monuments, but the theme isn't too immersive. For example, in Verdant, there is a clear theming there that is weaved into the game. This game, is a simple card drafter with an ancient civilization feel, that, while entertaining enough, it isn't enough alone to sustain those who are on the hunt for a very thematic game.

TM Score: 12/20

Components

    Let me rave about this for just a second here. This game has a very nice system of organization. Every civilization gets their own personal tray which contains their deck of cards and the monument they'll be building. That is just a really nice touch somewhere that I didn't expect it, and it makes set up and tear down so much easier, as well as efficiently using the box. The rest of the game is decent-quality cards and cardboard tokens. It isn't much, but the little things help.

TM Score: 15/20
These are the subtle niceties that make this game a joy to set up and take down. Personal trays for each civilization as well as a tray for the common area. What a day and age we live in!

Gameplay

    In 7 Wonders: Architects, you, as civilizations, draft cards from the player decks to the left and right of you, as well as the central deck, to build your monuments, advance your sciences, gain victory points, and fight battles (also to earn victory points). This is such a solid game, and, to an effect, can definitely be used as a gateway game. It is so simple to the point where my grandmother (who typically dislikes most board games with the exception of Farkle, Skyjo, Silver & Gold, and she enjoyed our playthrough of My City. I also, really enjoy this game. There are a few flaws that I would like to point out, just to counter-balance my praise. In about 75% of the matches I've played, the person that completes their monument first, even if the next player was only one build behind. But that's pretty much it, it feels pretty balanced and I adore it. It also has a really nice and easy-to-understand rulebook.

TM Score: 18/20

One turn in! It's such a satisfying experience steadily flipping pieces of your monument as you work your way from the foundations to the top.

Overall

    Overall, 7 Wonders: Architects is clearly a well-thought out game and production. I've seen a fair few comments on BGG stating that is simply too light, but I don't think so. Is it light? Absolutely! Does that simplicity work? Also, a resounding yes. I feel that many people, when taking a look at Architects, try to consider it in the same light as they considered the main 7 Wonders games. However, it is a standalone game that should be seen for its own merits and flaws, not necessarily how it stands up to other 7 Wonders titles.

AN ADDITION FOR ALL REVIEWS FROM NOW FORWARD:

    For future TM reviews, I have added a new system to my reviews that goes over pros and cons. In addition to the TM Score (whose formula is simple, add up the scores and then divide by the amount of categories scored in), I have a new pros and cons system which will add 1 point to the pre-division score for pros and will subtract 1 point for cons. For example, for this game, the formula would be like this: (12 + 15 + 18 + 3) all divided by 3. 

Pros:
  • Amazing component storage
  • Works well for a gateway game
  • Simple and light experience that sustained me (a Euro lover) while also providing something for non-hobby gamers to enjoy
  • Plays well at essentially all player counts
Cons:
  • May be too light for pickier gamers that prefer to play heavy games.

FINAL TM SCORE: 16/20

    And that's it!

    I really enjoy this game, and I really enjoy writing these reviews, and I hope you enjoy reading them as well. Playing games is a great way to spend time, and I hope my reviews make an impact on whether or not you decide to purchase the games covered in them. If you are a publisher or a designer and want to send a game my way for review, contact me! My contact info will be at the bottom of the page. See you next time!

Contact Info:

Email Address: tabletopmeeple@gmail.com



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