7 Wonders II is a match-3 game which is fairly basic on the surface, but has some interesting twists. The main objective is to construct the 7 Wonders [spoiler](Stonehenge/Colosseum/Great Wall/Taj Mahal/Angkor Wat/Shwedagon Pagoda/Moai Statues)[/spoiler] and optionally an extra hidden Wonder [spoiler](Machu Picchu)[/spoiler]. To make that happen you have to create building blocks, which you do by matching the specific block type that represents that particular wonder. The more blocks of that type you match, the more building blocks you make and the faster you can build the wonder.
To finish each stage and collect the building blocks, you have to complete 2 objectives: clear all background squares by matching their blocks; and move the main block to the last row so that the workers can collect it. After you've done both, the stage ends and you can place your building blocks in the wonder. There is a time limit, and if the time runs out before you complete the stage, you lose 1 life and have to try again. There is also a 3rd objective, this one is optional but necessary if you want to unlock the 8th wonder: [spoiler]On each stage there is a special background square with a border, if you match the square with blocks of that color, a piece of a map will drop. With enough pieces, a secret stage will begin where you need to complete a puzzle in a finite number of moves - thankfully you can backtrack the moves as much as you want as long as the timer don't run out. If you complete this secret stage in all the 7 wonders, you will unlock the hidden one.[/spoiler]
To help finish the stages, powerups will appear each time you match 4 or more blocks together. There are 3 types of powerups, and the type shown depends on the match pattern (e.g. 4 or more blocks matched in the same row summons the ice powerup). You also have a bonus power that you can use at will, but has to recharge once used. This power is especially useful to bring the main block to the last row.
Overall, I had fun playing the game. It took me 6 hours to beat, the difficulty felt very easy at the first 4 or 5 wonders and spiked hard on the last ones. I even lost a life and had several close calls on the last stages, so beating the game kinda feels like a fair challenge, especially with all the 8 wonders unlocked [spoiler](I ended up with all 8 unlocked, rank Keeper of the Forgotten Knowledge with 1,364,679 points for reference)[/spoiler]. If you're a fan of match-3 games or can only game in small intervals, you should probably give this game a try.
[h1]The Good[/h1]
+ Music, SFX and art are blend very well with the gameplay
+ The difficulty felt well balanced, becoming harder near the end but not oppressive
+ Some "secrets" in the game to spice things up [spoiler](8th Wonder - Machu Picchu)[/spoiler]
+ 12 options of bonuses gives some extra decision making [spoiler](my favorites are destroyer and cluster bomb)[/spoiler]
[h1]The Neutral[/h1]
* The leaderboard seems to be hardcoded into the game, not real players
* Probably works better as a mobile game to play on a quick break
[h1]The Bad[/h1]
- The game shows its age sometimes, the resolution options are limited and the hardware cursor option don't work well in my setup
- The gameplay becomes kinda repetitive after a while, each new wonder don't bring any meaningful extra twists to the table
- Lack of strategic depth
- No achievements
[h2]7 / 10 - IGN[/h2]
