The Great Wall
- Designer Kamil 'Sanex' Cieśla , Robert Plesowicz , Łukasz Włodarczyk
- Publisher Awaken Realms , Albi , CrowD Games , Delta Vision Publishing , Korea Boardgames
- Illustration Piotr Gacek
Track your results with Playnexi
Add this game to your collection and track sessions, scores, and statistics.
Start for freeWhat to Expect
Players take the role of generals defending the Great Wall of China against invading Mongolian hordes. Over several years and seasons, they build resources and units, play command cards, and activate locations to strengthen defenses. Cooperation is sometimes necessary to repel attacks, while players simultaneously develop unique engines to earn honor points.
Who Is This Game For?
The Great Wall targets experienced gamers aged 13 and up who enjoy complex strategy games with long playtimes (around 180 minutes). Asymmetric clans and semi-cooperative mechanics require patience and prior experience with worker placement and engine building. It is less suitable for families or casual players.
How It Works
Core mechanics include Area Majority/Influence, Secret Unit Deployment, and Command Cards. Each round is divided into four seasons: Spring brings barbarian invasions; Summer is preparation; Fall involves playing command cards and activating locations; Winter sees the Mongol assault that players defend against together. Players build asymmetric engines by hiring advisors and leveraging their clan's unique strengths.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Kamil 'Sanex' Cieśla, Robert Plesowicz, and Łukasz Włodarczyk, The Great Wall was nominated for the 2021 Golden Geek Heavy Game of the Year and 2022 Gra Roku Advanced Game of the Year and Best Thematic Game. Its semi-cooperative gameplay with a constantly attacking AI opponent and asymmetric clans sets it apart from typical worker placement titles.
Awards
2021
- 2022 Gra Roku Advanced Game of the Year — Nominated
- 2022 Gra Roku Best Thematic Game — Nominated
Pro
- Asymmetric gameplay with unique clan abilities
- Semi-cooperative play against an AI opponent
- Deep engine-building via advisors
- Nominated for multiple prestigious awards (Golden Geek 2021, Gra Roku 2022)
Contra
- Long playtime around 180 minutes demands patience
- High complexity not suited for casual players
- Recommended for ages 13 and up, not for younger children
Setting & Atmosphäre
Set in ancient China, the game centers on building and defending the Great Wall against Mongol invaders, blending historical and fantasy elements in an epic border defense.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Take time to understand your clan's asymmetric abilities and focus on building an efficient engine.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
Yes, The Great Wall supports solo play with a minimum of one player.
How long does a game really take?
A typical game lasts about 180 minutes, including setup.
What prior experience do I need?
This is an expert-level game suited for players familiar with worker placement and engine building mechanics.
How does this compare to similar games?
The Great Wall combines asymmetric clans with semi-cooperative gameplay against a constant AI threat, distinguishing it from standard worker placement games.
Is this suitable for families?
Due to its complexity and length, it is more suited for experienced players than family play.
What mechanic makes it special?
Its semi-cooperative gameplay featuring Secret Unit Deployment and Command Cards creates dynamic player interaction.
Fazit
The Great Wall is a demanding strategic game with an innovative cooperative twist, ideal for experienced players who appreciate long, tactical sessions. It is less suited for beginners or family play.
