We got 7WD to the table/floor this evening.
I was quite nervous, I'd heard good things, watched good videos and was hoping it would live up to expectations.
I started off well, with a glass of wine. This is an actual glass of wine, nothing to do with the game.
I won't repeat Dan's description of the game, but we both really liked the 3 different Ages. The first Age is about building your resources, the second your economy and the final your society. If you've manipulated the cards well during each Age, you'll be able to target cards much easier.
We also really liked, being able to buy trade goods, but if your opponent owns one you have to pay more. This is a great way of controlling resources in the game. I also liked how you could use Commercial Building to undercut each other.
I really liked the 2 other win conditions (Military and Science) - This forces you to enter into both camps to prevent your opponent from stomping all over you. My wife got off to a good lead with Science and twice during the end game, I had to carefully pick cards so she couldn't get her hands of a double science to win the Law Token for 6 types to win the game. Even down to the last card!
My economy tanked during the start of the game, but picked up mid-2nd Age right up until Jen destroyed my Press. That late into the game, in the 3rd Age there are no resource generating cards, so I was severely hampered.
Game Length was awesome, it really did only take 30 minutes to play. I could have probably spent more time carefully picking actions, but the glass of wine was in full effect. I also think it may be better to draft all 3 ages up front, so you can plan ahead into the future a little more.
Once again, my wife kicked me solid - my track record hasn't been good since I lost Tsuro of the Sea.
My only complaint is that some of the iconography is a little cryptic at times, but I suspect we'll learn this more solidly in a few games. The handy rulesheet explains most of the iconography clearly, unless you're me and keep failing to read the Japanese one.
So did it live up to expectations? I think so, We're definitely looking forward to our next game; I'm hoping to develop strategies based on what cards are visible, rather than blinding looking 1 or 2 transactions ahead. Some of the Wonders and some of the Progress counters don't appear that powerful, but I think with a bit more inspection these will be quite well balanced.
Here's our end game:
A question for Dan: What was the combo for a double free turn? I thought the Progress 'Architecture' couldn't be used to a Wonder with the game power for an additional Bonus Turn.
Answer: Ahh if you have a turn, and build a wonder with an extra turn, you could build another wonder with another extra turn and get 3 turns on the trot!?! Amazing!