7 Wonders (2nd Edition)

You lead one of seven ancient cities, each with its own wonder on a board in front of you. After three ages the most points wins, counted from buildings, science, coins, wonder stages and military conflicts against the players either side of you. Each age hands you seven cards. You pick one, place it face down, pass the rest to your neighbour, and everyone reveals at once. A card is either built by paying its cost in resources, bought from a neighbour if needed, tucked under your wonder to build a stage, or sold for three coins. Six cards later the age ends and armies are compared. Because everyone plays simultaneously, seven players finish in about half an hour, which little else on our Strategy shelf can claim. It is our standard answer for a group of six or seven who want more than a party game.