7 Wonders

Finally got this to the table last night, and the way military conquests and scientific discoveries interact kept everyone engaged for almost an hour. The age progression feels smooth and strategic, not rushed at all.

The game really shines once you realize how each civilization's unique wonder forces you to pivot your strategy mid-game. My last match came down to a single military victory point, and the tension was incredible.

I love that everyone picks a different path to victory, so my science-heavy city can still lose to a friend who just stacked military conquests. Turns are quick once you learn the icon symbols, and the whole thing wraps in about 30 minutes.