The Great Wall

I recently had the chance to play The Great Wall, the new asymmetric worker/soldier placement game from Awaken Realms, and I'm excited to share my thoughts. This game is a unique blend of strategic planning, engine building, and cooperative elements that kept me engaged from start to finish.

The premise is simple: you're a General defending the Great Wall against the Mongol Horde. Each player controls a different clan with its own unique strengths and weaknesses, represented by their chosen Leader. As the game progresses, you'll hire Advisors with special abilities, creating unique engines that allow you to build a powerful and personalized strategy.

One of the things I loved most about The Great Wall is the way it balances individual goals with the need for cooperation. While you're ultimately competing for victory points, the constant threat of the Mongol Horde requires players to work together to defend the wall. This creates a dynamic gameplay experience where you're always balancing your own ambitions with the needs of the group.

The game's mechanics are well-designed and easy to learn, even for those new to worker placement games. The different seasons provide a clear structure to the gameplay, and the command cards offer a variety of actions and strategies to explore. The game also features a beautiful and detailed artwork, further enhancing the immersive experience.

Overall, I highly recommend The Great Wall to anyone looking for a challenging and engaging board game. It's a great option for players who enjoy strategic decision-making, engine building, and cooperative elements.