Let’s Explore: World Wonders Game Rules

Welcome to the World Wonders game! Are you ready for an exciting adventure around the globe? Let’s dive into the rules so we can start exploring!

The Objective

The objective of the World Wonders game is to travel to different countries and discover fascinating landmarks known as world wonders. Your mission is to visit as many world wonders as possible and learn interesting facts about them along the way.

How to Play

To play the World Wonders game, you’ll need a game board, game pieces, and a deck of World Wonder cards. The game board is a map of the world, divided into different countries. Each country has a world wonder associated with it.

On your turn, you’ll draw a World Wonder card. The card will show a country and a clue about the world wonder located there. Using your knowledge and deduction skills, you’ll try to guess the world wonder. If you’re correct, you’ll move your game piece to that country on the game board.

If you’re incorrect, don’t worry! You’ll still have a chance to answer the clue on your next turn. The first player to visit a certain number of world wonders, determined before the game starts, wins the game!

Discover Interesting Facts

As you travel to different countries and guess world wonders, you’ll also learn interesting facts about them. The World Wonder cards provide fascinating information and trivia about each landmark.

For example, did you know that the Great Wall of China is the longest man-made structure in the world? Or that the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro stands at a height of 98 feet? With each correct answer, you’ll expand your knowledge and become a world wonder expert!

Have Fun Exploring!

The World Wonders game is not only educational but also incredibly fun. It combines the excitement of a treasure hunt with the thrill of discovering new places and cultures.

So, are you ready to embark on a globetrotting adventure? Grab your game board, gather your friends or family, and get ready to explore the world wonders like never before!

When it comes to playing Catan, it’s important to choose the right version that best suits your preferences. Let me help you decide which version is recommended for you.

• The Settlers of Catan Basic Game is a great choice for beginners.
• If you enjoy exploring new territories, The Seafarers of Catan expansion offers scenarios like Heading to New Shores, The Four Islands, Fog Island, and New World. These scenarios will enhance your gaming experience.
• If you’re interested in trading and dealing with barbarians, the Traders & Barbarians expansion offers scenarios like The Harbormaster, The Fisherman of Catan (make sure to use the Lake-Free variant included), and The Rivers of Catan (choose the Marshlands version of the Great Pyramids I’ve included, as the Nile tends to flood).
• While technically possible, it’s not recommended to combine Cities & Knights with Seafarers or Traders & Barbarians due to the complexity involved.

Setting Up

When setting up the game, start by placing your first settlement and road just like you normally would.

When you play the game for a second time, you have the opportunity to add a city and a road to the mix. You’ll receive a card for each hex that your city touches. Now you’re ready to start the game!

How to Play

You can start building a Wonder at any point during your turn, as long as you meet the requirement and pay the building costs for the first stage. As soon as you meet these conditions, take the Wonder Card and place the gray-side-up Wonder Coin on the corresponding hex.

The Colossus and Lighthouse are both located on land, not in the water. This means that it’s possible to have two Wonders on the same hex. If you have multiple hexes to choose from for the Colossus, you can decide which one to place the Wonder Coin on.

To keep track of your progress on the Wonder Card, you can use an extra game piece, like a road, or one of the tool chits that are included with the game cards.

Hey there! Did you know that you can build multiple Wonders in each city, as long as you have the necessary resources? It’s pretty cool, right? For instance, if your city has access to lumber, brick, and sheep, you can start building The Hanging Gardens, The Illustrious Walls, and The Gilded Statue all in the same city. But here’s the catch: once a player starts building a Wonder and takes the card, no one else can start building the same one. However, they can grab a partially completed Wonder if they want!

Upgrading Wonders

Now, here’s the deal with upgrading Wonders. You have to go through all four stages to complete your Wonder. To move on to the next stage, you’ll have to pay the resource cost and move your marker up one. Oh, and there’s one more thing: you can only upgrade each Wonder once per turn. So plan your moves wisely!

But here’s the exciting part: as you upgrade your Wonder, you gain more and more abilities! Yep, you heard it right! These abilities stack up and can be used together. So go ahead and unleash your Wonder’s full potential!

The Robber

Not only does the robber stop resource production on a hex, but it also prevents Wonder upgrades. However, it doesn’t stop you from building the first stage on that hex. If the Robber hasn’t moved from the desert since the game started, it blocks any upgrades on the Pyramids until it’s moved.

Some Wonder abilities can also upgrade the robber to the “Renegade,” “Raider,” or “Corsair.” These abilities can be combined. The Renegade, which is the first stage ability of the Great Pyramids, can’t be used on completed Wonders. It also can’t be used to block Victory Points. Lastly, the Pharos Lighthouse’s Searchlight blocks all the effects of the robber, including the upgrade prohibition.

Seizing wonders

During the game, you can seize an opponent’s Wonder, but it comes with a steep cost.

When you play 3 Knight Development Cards at the same time, they don’t count towards your Largest Army and they should be reshuffled into the deck.

The Wonder retains all of its abilities when it’s completed. You can’t take control of a completed Wonder.

To complete a Wonder, you need to finish its fourth stage. Once that’s done, flip the Wonder Coin to its color side. This completed Wonder can’t be traded or stolen.

The “Raider” ability, which applies to The Great Pyramids Wonder, cannot be used against this Wonder anymore.

At the end of the game, add +7 to your Victory Point total. In a Basic Game, this means you win when you reach 17 Victory Points.

If the original total is 13, then you must reach 20 victory points to win.

Let’s talk about the Wonders now.

The Hanging Gardens is one of the Wonders in the game.

Imagine a grand palace, where a king, filled with love and longing for his queen, created a magnificent gift. It was none other than the Hanging Gardens of Babylon! These gardens were adorned with lush tiers of plants and trees, a true marvel of engineering and natural beauty. It’s hard to say which aspect is more awe-inspiring.

Astonishing Walls

Imagine standing before the towering Walls of Babylon, marveling at their grandeur. These walls were built centuries ago, but their magnificence still shines through. Just think about it – the Ishtar Gate was so vast that two chariots could effortlessly pass each other on top, without even slowing down.

But there’s more to these walls than just their size. The inner gates are renowned for their incredible craftsmanship and ornate designs. Each brick is meticulously placed to create a stunning piece of art. It’s truly awe-inspiring.

When I look at the Walls of Babylon, I can’t help but wonder about the amount of material and effort that went into constructing them. It’s mind-boggling to think about the sheer quantity of bricks needed to bring these walls to life. I mean, we’re talking about a massive undertaking here.

Now, let me tell you about the Gilded Statue.

I want to tell you about an incredible statue called the Statue of Zeus at Olympia. This statue was made from a combination of ivory and gold, and it looked so real that people believed it could actually come to life. Can you imagine that? It was so lifelike that visitors would swear it was going to stand up and walk away!

People would even sacrifice sheep to this statue on a daily basis, especially when they wanted to gain favor from the god it represented. They believed that by offering these sacrifices, they could receive blessings and good fortune.

A Place for Kings

Once upon a time, long ago, a queen wanted to honor her beloved king who had passed away. She made an incredible decision – to build a magnificent monument called the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. With this in mind, she invited talented artists from distant lands to ensure the creation of the most exceptional tribute ever made. The queen spared no expense in making her dream a reality.

As a result of the queen’s grand vision, the final structure turned into something more than just a tomb. It became a breathtaking art museum that showcased the extraordinary talent of artists from all over the world. The monument stood as a testament to beauty and creativity.

However, the influx of artists brought a new set of challenges. The city struggled to cope with the demands of housing and feeding such a large number of visitors. The arrival of these talented individuals put a significant strain on the city’s grain supplies and resources. The queen’s desire to create a masterpiece came at a cost to the people.

A Unique Masterpiece

Do you know about the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus? They say it’s the most beautiful of all the wonders! It was built to honor the goddess of the hunt, and it was a truly magnificent sight. The local silversmiths helped support the temple by selling jewelry, so they needed a lot of ore to complete it.

The Incredible Colossus

Imagine this: a colossal statue standing tall at over 30 meters, dominating the harbor and leaving sailors in awe. That was the Colossus of Rhodes. While we can’t be certain if it really spanned the harbor, one thing is undeniable: it commanded attention. And attention means business.

Speaking of awe-inspiring structures, let’s not forget about the Pharos Lighthouse. This magnificent wonder was a guiding light for ships, drawing them into the harbor like moths to a flame. Sailors relied on its towering presence to navigate through treacherous waters and find safe harbor.

Imagine standing in the presence of the mighty Pharos of Alexandria, an ancient masterpiece that guided sailors with fiery brilliance throughout the night and enveloped the sky with clouds of smoke during the day. Its powerful beacon stretched for miles, enabling swifter voyages and striking fear into the hearts of any pirates or thieves who dared approach.

But wait, there’s more!

When it comes to the Great Pyramids of Giza, they are known as the king of the Wonders. But what makes them so special? More importantly, how were they built? I’m here to tell you all about it.

You see, the pyramids are an enigma. They are both captivating to look at and puzzling to understand. They were built using bricks and lumber for the outside, but it goes beyond that. The real magic happened inside.

So, imagine this: you are a builder in ancient Egypt. You have all the materials you need, and you have your trusty tools by your side. Your task is to shape the insides of the pyramid. But how do you do it? How do you make sure everything fits together perfectly?

Well, my friend, it’s all about precision. You have to measure everything meticulously and make sure each piece is cut to the exact right size. And let me tell you, it’s no easy feat.

But here’s the thing – every little detail matters. One small mistake and the whole structure could collapse. It’s a delicate balance, a dance between creativity and engineering. And that’s what makes it so fascinating.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. How did they even manage to lift those massive stones? Well, that’s a mystery that still boggles the mind. Some theories suggest the Egyptians used ramps and pulleys, while others believe they had help from extraterrestrial beings. Whatever the case may be, it’s a testament to human ingenuity.

So, the next time you look at the Great Pyramids of Giza, remember that they are more than just structures. They are a testament to the skill and determination of the ancient Egyptians. And while we may not have all the answers, we can still marvel at their greatness.