This game is amazing for two player. It has put splendor, pandemic, and any other game with 2 player on the shelf to collect dust. Once you get past the symbolisms and rules its a great game.
I'm curious if you still feel that why after 2 years. Duel lost steam for me after a couple of plays. At least with Pandemic you can raise the difficulty level.
@@petec3250 can't speak for Jason, but I've played over 100 times (probably 200 tbh) easy over the last couple years, and i just feel the meta game keeps getting deeper, and is different with each person i play against. We are at the point where there is bluffing, misdirection, feints, wrestling over the draft initiative, monopoly blockades, military hail marys, science traps. It is an amazingly deep game, in my top 2 ever. Great to play over and over with the same person. It has deepened friendships :). My only knock is that the guild cards are a little too strong, but they fixed that with the expansion
I love how Sam has to make sure the lid, directions, and bottom of the box are all oriented the same way. That is definitely an OCD trait I share as well. Go, Sam!
I finally beat my girlfriend at this game through a military victory, and it came down to the absolute last turn of the third round. Victory has never been sweeter.
I love vanilla Seven Wonders as well as all the expansions. Never played the 2 player version with the free city thing, though. Since I just got into small two player games with Jaipur, this one will be the next as soon as I get my hands on it. Thank you for the review and overview!
I learned and played the German version of this game today (I can't read or speak German) and found it very strategic and enjoyable. This game is fantastic! 😊
It turned out to be the best 2 player game ever. Amazing. Everything is perfectly done in this game. They didn’t talk about the art work which is also amazing (The cover box, everything).
What are your thoughts on it 4 months later? You still love it? I'm hopeful because besides BattleLore 2E which my son and I LOVE, we have gotten many multiplayer games that we can't always play, so I'm hoping this one will give us some quick, intense 2 player battles!
Mikez yes, i still love the game in the same way. But it’s a very different game from Battlelore. Maybe it’s better to watch a video on youtube showing how it’s played.
A lot of what I like about 7W is the fact that it plays so many people easily (even if most players don't affect each other). But I'm still definitely interested.
Personally, I really enjoy the original 7 Wonders 2 player variant with the Free City! I love the strategy that it adds to the game - using the third player to my own advantage while burning cards that I know my opponent wants. Given my enjoyment of the 2 player option already available in original 7 Wonders, I am not really in any hurry to pick up 7 Wonders Duel.
+Derek S That's how I feel as well. I think the original 2-player rules are great. When they announced this, I was thoroughly surprised this was even a real release. I have no desire to pick up Duel ...
+Derek S I don't mind it like some do, but for me the two player variant doesn't add enough for the added game length to really make it worth it for me. Also you can't teach someone two player in 7 Wonders.
+Derek S As Zee mentioned this game is its own thing. It just happens to be set in the universe of 7 Wonders but the mechanics, winning conditions, strategy, etc, are all different. I think it is worth checking out on its own right.
Hey Tom, Sam and Zee! Just a notice, I've been playing this game online and Military wins come much often than Science... But when that happens is always because the player pick the Science "Strategy" that gives a extra military building afterwards.
I've not been playing a lot of two-player of late, but that could change-- and if it does this'll be the first one on my list to add to my collection. Looks really good.
This is a great two player game. My only complaint is that the cards are really thin and feel cheap. I would gladly pay more for better quality components.
this game changed 7W for my bf who really hates 7W for the fact that there is v little take that. and i'm glad... that i can finally play 7W with him bc it is one of my top 3 of all time :) and i'm glad that i finally have to care about war. in the original. i ALWAYS pass it for science.
When the Five Tribes expansion came out everyone was like shouldn't it be called 6 tribes. But 7 Wonders and 7 Wonders Duel have more than 7 Wonders and nobody says anything.
Does the card that is showcased at 4:20 produce a resource AND make buying the resource from the market cheaper or just change the cost at market? Also, does it increase your opponents cost at market by 1 or not? Thanks!
100% agree with Zee on icons vs text for chaining. I have practically never used chaining in the original because of how confusing and clunky it was. But I'm not so keen about the sudden death win conditions in this one, as i like my points :) i like to have a score and compare with others, not just "screw your points engine, i won!". Though, maybe with two players game this is not very important, but that's my inner euro gamer talking :)
I´m actually not at all impressed with the base game Seven Wonders. I like Among the Stars a lot more. But this is a must own for me! Great review, guys!
There are many versions of Pyramid Solitaire that this reminds me of. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_(solitaire) (I think that's what Sam is asking about when talking about the mechanic.)
I think the mechanic comes from Pyramid Solitaire.
This game is amazing for two player. It has put splendor, pandemic, and any other game with 2 player on the shelf to collect dust. Once you get past the symbolisms and rules its a great game.
have you heard of targi?
I'm curious if you still feel that why after 2 years. Duel lost steam for me after a couple of plays. At least with Pandemic you can raise the difficulty level.
@@petec3250 can't speak for Jason, but I've played over 100 times (probably 200 tbh) easy over the last couple years, and i just feel the meta game keeps getting deeper, and is different with each person i play against. We are at the point where there is bluffing, misdirection, feints, wrestling over the draft initiative, monopoly blockades, military hail marys, science traps. It is an amazingly deep game, in my top 2 ever. Great to play over and over with the same person. It has deepened friendships :).
My only knock is that the guild cards are a little too strong, but they fixed that with the expansion
I love how Sam has to make sure the lid, directions, and bottom of the box are all oriented the same way. That is definitely an OCD trait I share as well. Go, Sam!
And don't forget to put the manual in the box the same way
I finally beat my girlfriend at this game through a military victory, and it came down to the absolute last turn of the third round. Victory has never been sweeter.
I love vanilla Seven Wonders as well as all the expansions. Never played the 2 player version with the free city thing, though.
Since I just got into small two player games with Jaipur, this one will be the next as soon as I get my hands on it. Thank you for the review and overview!
I love this game.it is one of my favorites two players game together with patchwork!
I learned and played the German version of this game today (I can't read or speak German) and found it very strategic and enjoyable.
This game is fantastic! 😊
It turned out to be the best 2 player game ever. Amazing. Everything is perfectly done in this game.
They didn’t talk about the art work which is also amazing (The cover box, everything).
What are your thoughts on it 4 months later? You still love it? I'm hopeful because besides BattleLore 2E which my son and I LOVE, we have gotten many multiplayer games that we can't always play, so I'm hoping this one will give us some quick, intense 2 player battles!
Mikez yes, i still love the game in the same way. But it’s a very different game from Battlelore. Maybe it’s better to watch a video on youtube showing how it’s played.
@@MrTravolta7 I'm so excited to play it!
Add Zee to the intro!
Sam, the stacking/pyramid/revealing mechanism comes from an old solitaire card game cald pyramid, I think
A lot of what I like about 7W is the fact that it plays so many people easily (even if most players don't affect each other). But I'm still definitely interested.
Personally, I really enjoy the original 7 Wonders 2 player variant with the Free City! I love the strategy that it adds to the game - using the third player to my own advantage while burning cards that I know my opponent wants. Given my enjoyment of the 2 player option already available in original 7 Wonders, I am not really in any hurry to pick up 7 Wonders Duel.
+Derek S That's how I feel as well. I think the original 2-player rules are great. When they announced this, I was thoroughly surprised this was even a real release. I have no desire to pick up Duel ...
+Derek S I don't mind it like some do, but for me the two player variant doesn't add enough for the added game length to really make it worth it for me.
Also you can't teach someone two player in 7 Wonders.
+Derek S As Zee mentioned this game is its own thing. It just happens to be set in the universe of 7 Wonders but the mechanics, winning conditions, strategy, etc, are all different. I think it is worth checking out on its own right.
+Gizensha Fox My wife & I only play 7 wonders as a two-player game. It is entirely teachable. Rahdo does an excellent runthrough video of this.
Hey Tom, Sam and Zee! Just a notice, I've been playing this game online and Military wins come much often than Science... But when that happens is always because the player pick the Science "Strategy" that gives a extra military building afterwards.
My first play of 7w was last week and i loved it. Since i want to add to my 2 player game collection, i may get this one.
Sam is on my level opening the box and adjusting the orientation of the rule book to match the lid of the box lol
I've not been playing a lot of two-player of late, but that could change-- and if it does this'll be the first one on my list to add to my collection. Looks really good.
Always pleased to see Zee in a Miami Dice, who cares about the rules man!
Thanks, guys. Got to try this one with hubby!
Automatic purchase or me when it comes out. Great job guys!
This is a great two player game. My only complaint is that the cards are really thin and feel cheap. I would gladly pay more for better quality components.
this game changed 7W for my bf who really hates 7W for the fact that there is v little take that. and i'm glad... that i can finally play 7W with him bc it is one of my top 3 of all time :)
and i'm glad that i finally have to care about war. in the original. i ALWAYS pass it for science.
When the Five Tribes expansion came out everyone was like shouldn't it be called 6 tribes. But 7 Wonders and 7 Wonders Duel have more than 7 Wonders and nobody says anything.
First world problems ;-)
+Josh Wood Well that makes sense because 7 Wonders is still a 7 player game regardless of how many wonders you own.
+Josh Wood In this one, you can only play 7. So no more than 7 wonders per game.
Does the card that is showcased at 4:20 produce a resource AND make buying the resource from the market cheaper or just change the cost at market? Also, does it increase your opponents cost at market by 1 or not? Thanks!
it only affects the bank. you ignore opponent resources for this resource from now on. it's always 1.
I normally play two player games. this is a must buy.
This is a day one purchase for me.
+smoothcriminal28 If you are going to Essen, pre-order it...then you can relax. It costs you nothing to pre-order it now and get the extras!
+jaxommm I wish I were going to Essen, but I did pre-order through Coolstuff. What extras are you referring to?
Well done. Very informative and balanced.
the military victory happens quite a lot in my experience.
I cannot wait for this one!
This is gonna be the best game of the year for me!
100% agree with Zee on icons vs text for chaining. I have practically never used chaining in the original because of how confusing and clunky it was. But I'm not so keen about the sudden death win conditions in this one, as i like my points :) i like to have a score and compare with others, not just "screw your points engine, i won!". Though, maybe with two players game this is not very important, but that's my inner euro gamer talking :)
If you categorize "Duke" as abstract strategy game would you also categorize "7 Wonders: Duel" as that?
I´m actually not at all impressed with the base game Seven Wonders. I like Among the Stars a lot more. But this is a must own for me! Great review, guys!
Have anyone here tried the expansion to 7 wonders Duel yet? It is called Pantheon. Is it good? Dice tower hasn't reviewed it yet unfortunately =/
Tom, What game is it replacing?
+Barry C I own Pillars of the Earth: Builder's Duel and really enjoy it. I wonder if it's replacing that one.
Best 2P game of all time IMO.
There are many versions of Pyramid Solitaire that this reminds me of. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_(solitaire)
(I think that's what Sam is asking about when talking about the mechanic.)
Great review, and thank you!
This game looks soo confusing...it's my first "Drafting" game I think. Well I already bought it so hopefully I'll like it!
at first glande, it looks booring... I don't see any particular interaction between the two players? Am I wrong?
seems really cool
I had seen the mechanic on Valley of the Kings
where can i buy the guy on the rights shirt O.o?
Tom please tell me where I can get the Manhattan project shirt!
+Daniel Gonzalez Dude, that shirt is awesome. I checked and you can get some on the Minion games website. Unfortunately the sizes are limited.
+Simon Mounsey awesome thanks man!
Must buy for me!
do all the cards come out every game?
+Adam Shaw Good question
+Adam Shaw I believe there's 3 or so withheld per age, per game
+themaster408 No. Three cards per age are removed. Tom mentions this at 5:50.
16 mins and you didn't play it?? Wtf
It looks really boring, unfortunately. I think Star Wars: Risk looks like a much better candidate for the 2 player game of the year.