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Description
The Great Wall is a new asymmetric worker/soldier placement game with engine building themes and a twist in form of a constantly attacking AI (Mongolian Horde) that requires players to sometimes cooperate in order to defeat it. This is a new major board game from Awaken Realms.
Players will control ancient clans in China trying to defend against invading Mongolian hordes and build a Great Wall. While every player will want to win (by earning VP = Honor) they also need to sometimes cooperate to defend against the hordes. Each clan will be asymmetric through its chosen Leader (resource production/starting resources/starting workers and units) and this asymmetry will increase as the game progresses (players will hire Advisors with unique skills, often creating unique engines).
In The Great Wall, the players take the role of Generals defending the Wall against the Mongol Horde. The game is played over a series of turns called Years, each divided into 4 parts called Seasons.
During Spring, new barbaric hordes invade the fields in front of the Great Wall and prepare to launch their assault. Summer is the time when generals prepare for the assault and mobilize their forces. During Fall, players take their turns, playing Command cards, resolving their effects and Activating Locations to gain various benefits. In Winter, the last layer of Defense is activated, then, the hordes try to assault the Walls.
During the course of the game, players will create their own unique engines based on their clan strength as well as interact with other players during all phases of the game, trying to get the most Honor points, which can be gained in a lot of different ways.
At the end of the game, the player with the most Honor wins.
—description from the publisher
Year Published
2021
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Review
The Great Wall Review
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 9
This page: 9
Sentiment:
pos 9 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–9 of 9
Video LAxDUF8o238
Allies or Enemies top_10_list at 6:48 sentiment: positive
video_pk 61169 · mention_pk 153786
Click to watch at 6:48 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- iconic theme and striking components
- clear visual cues for gameplay
Cons
- some players may find the interaction slightly indirect
Thematic elements
- defense, labor, and strategic fortification
- Historical China, focused on building and defending a grand wall.
- slightly gritty with a touch of legend
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- hand management — Players manage a set of markers/resources to build the wall and progress on objectives.
- hand management / worker interplay — Players manage a set of markers/resources to build the wall and progress on objectives.
- pattern interaction / resource allocation — Choosing actions that influence both your board and the global state of the wall.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the two dessert ones just look so good
- i would really like to bite into these and then find out that they're soft and gooey
- the honey buzz squishy tokens holy cow they they feel so
- the eggs they look like the mini eggs they totally do
- you pointed out specifically the eggs um
- i picture them being honeycomb flavor as well
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video wp5AMiG_LHU
Unknown Channel unboxing at 0:08 sentiment: positive
video_pk 37508 · mention_pk 112701
Click to watch at 0:08 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Diverse and detailed miniature sculpts per clan
- Large, interactive board with multiple play areas
- Rich assortment of cards and expansion content
- Multiple play modes (competitive, cooperative, solo)
Cons
- Complex with many components, setup may be lengthy
- Expansion content adds significant depth and potential learning curve
Thematic elements
- defense, empire expansion, tactical maneuvers across a multi-layered wall
- Ancient China, Great Wall defense era
- epic/operatic
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Advisors activation and support — Choosing active vs supporting advisors to boost general strength.
- Area Control — Players place units and determine control of wall sections and adjacent spaces.
- area control / area influence — Players place units and determine control of wall sections and adjacent spaces.
- Deck-building / card-driven actions — Draw and manage tactic, advisor, and horde/consequence cards to perform actions.
- Hidden Information — Player screens hide resource quantities and planning information.
- Horde/attack mechanic — Horde cards attack the wall; rewards granted for inflicting damage and killing hordes.
- Modal play modes — Competitive, cooperative, solo play and multi-scenario variations.
- Resource management — Managing tokens/resources gained from various cards and actions to activate abilities and reinforce walls.
- Unique player powers — Each clan comes with unique minis and starting resources, providing asymmetry.
- Upgrade system — Ancient beasts and relics can upgrade units and provide new abilities.
- Variable player powers by clan — Each clan comes with unique minis and starting resources, providing asymmetry.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the screens will allow players to hide the carefully collected resources
- the archers or spearmen look different in each clan
- these are emperors of quiet cards provide objectives that the player must fulfill to win the game
- five new generals join the ranks of the army
- it can be pulled out and placed on the table with an easy widget of all players
- the great wall itself you have to pieces together the individual levels of the wall
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video QRfDhKJL3eg
Board Games for One general_discussion at 14:35 sentiment: positive
video_pk 36111 · mention_pk 108126
Click to watch at 14:35 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Strong two-player and solo options with engaging asymmetry
- Appealing theme and impressive miniatures/wall components
- Deep strategy with planning around walls, resources, and hordes
Cons
- Setup and teardown can be time-consuming due to modular wall pieces
- Rule familiarity and planning can be dense for new players
Thematic elements
- cooperative/competitive wall-building with honor tracking and invasion management
- China during the era of the Great Wall, defensive clans building walls against invasions
- historical fantasy with epic siege elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Action card drafting and T-order placement — players select and place action cards in a turn order that determines who acts first
- action drafting — players select and place action cards in a turn order that determines who acts first
- AI-assisted or third-clan interaction (Read Clan General) in two-player — a support clan acts as a stand-in third player in two-player games
- Honor track and shame tokens — players gain honor and may incur shame penalties that affect end-game scoring
- Seasonal cycle / turn order — game cycles through Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter with distinct actions and timing
- Wall and barricade construction — players build and maintain walls/barricades to defend against hordes
- worker placement — players assign workers to gather resources, build walls, hire soldiers, and activate advisor effects
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I loved it
- two player absolutely loved it, solo absolutely loved it
- this is truly a three-player game all right
- for $48 a flip and sketch I don't know I'm pretty skeptical of that
- it's a rolling right okay what are we doing flip cards and choose dice
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video f9x0DLrug4Y
Board Game Coffee general_discussion at 37:18 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8029 · mention_pk 23628
Click to watch at 37:18 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Solid Euro feel with thematic flavor
- Expandable with content; strong box organization improvements
- Engaging for players who enjoy resource-management games
Cons
- Expansions can unbalance if not managed
- May feel restrained compared to heavier APO titles
Thematic elements
- Resource management and fortification strategy
- Ancient fortress-building in historical China
- Historically flavored Euro with cinematic expansions
Comparison games
- Carcassonne (territory control feel)
- Gaia Project (box organization and expansion integration)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Card-driven resource management — Cards drive actions and help manage resources to fortify walls
- Modular box expansion integration — The box architecture accommodates expansions and organized play
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's the best game ever
- this game is a nut job
- the art is amazing the storytelling is amazing
- Nemesis is fan Fantastic so it's it's semi-cooperative I guess it depends
- it's the best alien game I've ever played that's not the alien license
- Photosynthesis is a beautiful game
- the core box is amazing
- it's so heavy but it's worth it
- awaken Realms sponsor this they’re so awesome
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video CgkStebrhzs
Board Game Coffee unboxing at 2:32:13 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8032 · mention_pk 23637
Click to watch at 2:32:13 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Epic scale and immersive minis
- Strong thematic cohesion and components
Cons
- Complex rules; long playtime may deter casual players
Thematic elements
- strategic territory control and resource management
- ancient China; monumental wall-building context
- historical-fantasy blend with cinematic minis
Comparison games
- Nemesis
- Edge Don't Fall
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — players vie for control of regions to advance victory conditions
- Worker placement / resource management — manage limited resources to deploy units and advance walls or defenses
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is by far the biggest box we've ever unboxed.
- Forty-one pounds… 41 close to 42 pounds, crazy.
- I could fit Britney in here like I could talk, I could tuck her away at night.
- These minis are crisp; they look carved from granite.
- I'm in love with this demon girl; her wings are huge.
- This box is beautiful.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video G1WMKP-i0j4
Board Game Coffee general_discussion at 39:12 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7743 · mention_pk 22858
Click to watch at 39:12 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Beautiful presentation and hype around expansion content
Cons
- Long play and heavy rules for some players
Thematic elements
- building a protective wall and managing resources
- ancient trade and defense
- grand epic with modular expansions
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area control / resource management — players generate resources and build the wall and defenses
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- we're giving away 50 games
- it's worldwide
- remember you can enter in every video
- the box is really heavy
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video PySjjnkjfWM
Dice Tower general_discussion at 0:46 sentiment: positive
video_pk 6507 · mention_pk 19278
Click to watch at 0:46 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Big Euro game
- Amazing miniatures
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Historical defense
- Great Wall of China
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Euro game mechanics — Traditional European-style board game mechanics
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is easily on this shelf. The most checked out game. Wonderlands War I see played every time.
- Foundations of Rome despite how big this game is. It gets checked out all the time.
- Everyone's really upset with Grimlord Games cuz they never delivered their last Kickstarter, but another company has picked it up.
- I don't I still don't understand why companies can't put names on the sides of their boxes. Come on now.
- Frostpunk, the board game if you're ready to have a depressing day.
- I think Mosaic is a fantastic civilization game. So fast and easy to play.
- People love Smashup. I have almost everything for Smashup, but it just barely gets played.
- Probably Twilight Imperium is my favorite of all these here, even though I don't play it that much.
- Last Kingdom is a kind of a really fun game from Games based on said TV series. Uh but pretty good. Think Game of Thrones style.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video UDeTnco9k4g
BoardGame Coffee general_discussion at 26:53 sentiment: positive
video_pk 378 · mention_pk 1157
Click to watch at 26:53 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- rich components and theme
- engaging for families and heavier gamers alike
Cons
- game length can be long
- complex rulebook
Thematic elements
- political and military strategy
- The Great Wall of China
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action selection / variable powers — different roles provide unique benefits.
- worker placement — workers gather resources and defend the wall.
- worker placement / area control — workers gather resources and defend the wall.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- We the really all we do is give you the toys but the people who make you the toys—the elves there's the really the important ones.
- the more subs we get actually helps us more grow and then if we grow we can do more of these and get stuff to you
- donate to Sick Kids it’d be great help just to help the little ones
- Encore is a rolling right game.
- Star Realms is simple to teach and always fun to play.
- Flick of Faith is a rolling right game.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video vKTeUU9fMkY
Drive Thru Review game_review sentiment: positive
video_pk 20 · mention_pk 33
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Unique card-driven worker placement
- Innovative competitive/cooperative design
- Great production quality
- Interesting strategic depth
Cons
- Co-op mode can feel overly puzzly
- Potential complex rules interactions
Thematic elements
- Wall defense against invading hordes
- Ancient China
- Historical strategy
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Card-driven worker placement — Players use identical card hands to place workers and take actions
- Cooperative/Competitive hybrid — Same core mechanics can be played cooperatively or competitively
- Resource management — Collect wood, stone, gold, and qi to build wall sections and deploy troops
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The competitive side the theme comes through of you sort of all being opportunists involved in the construction of the wall and the defense of China
- You're all building the wall and fighting the horde but you're trying to look the best as you do it
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–9 of 9