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7th Sea is a collectible card game created and produced by Alderac Entertainment Group. Players choose a sea-faring faction and engage in ship-to-ship combat until there is only one brave sea dog left upon the ocean blue.

Instead of having to read my explanation of the rules, you may read the rules verbatim. So much easier, don't you think?

Read the rules. Come back here.

*****

I found the rulebook easy to follow. The game is easy to learn and design decks for. Game play can be quick, if everyone is attacking each other right from the start. Or, if everyone agrees, games can take longer, allowing players to build up their ship and crew with attachments and completing adventures. This would allow people to play theme-based decks.

7th Sea is fun and great as a social activity, but there is a problem. At least in my opinion there is a problem with the game. The goal is simple: defeat your all opponents. There are just two strategies to do this: use cannon attacks or boarding attacks. The problem is that cannon attacks are quicker and easier. Boarding attacks take more effort and result in a less effective means to win the game, at least if you are up against "cannon decks". For my local group and other people I have talked to, this has resulted in most people using the cannon attack strategy to win. Of course, if winning is not your goal, then you can make whatever deck you want. Just be sure to play with like-minded people.

The solution may be to provide another victory condition for the game. By the looks of the expansion sets, there are signs this might happen. The most likely new victory condition may involve completing certain adventures, such as collecting artifacts. (Sort of like putting the 5 rings into play for the L5R CCG.)

Overall, the game is suited to people that like competitive, fast-paced action. For those that want to play fun, theme-based decks there is some of that here, but it may take some time to bring to the surface.

Style: 5 (Excellent!)
Substance: 3 (Average)

7th Sea CCG
Author: various Category: CCG Company/Publisher: Alderac Entertainment Group Line: 7th Sea Page count: n/a Playtest Review by Martin Ward on 03/19/00. Genre tags: Fantasy	7th Sea is a collectible card game created and produced by Alderac Entertainment Group. Players choose a sea-faring faction and engage in ship-to-ship combat until there is only one brave sea dog left upon the ocean blue. Instead of having to read my explanation of the rules, you may read the rules verbatim. So much easier, don't you think? Read the rules. Come back here. ***** I found the rulebook easy to follow. The game is easy to learn and design decks for. Game play can be quick, if everyone is attacking each other right from the start. Or, if everyone agrees, games can take longer, allowing players to build up their ship and crew with attachments and completing adventures. This would allow people to play theme-based decks. 7th Sea is fun and great as a social activity, but there is a problem. At least in my opinion there is a problem with the game. The goal is simple: defeat your all opponents. There are just two strategies to do this: use cannon attacks or boarding attacks. The problem is that cannon attacks are quicker and easier. Boarding attacks take more effort and result in a less effective means to win the game, at least if you are up against "cannon decks". For my local group and other people I have talked to, this has resulted in most people using the cannon attack strategy to win. Of course, if winning is not your goal, then you can make whatever deck you want. Just be sure to play with like-minded people. The solution may be to provide another victory condition for the game. By the looks of the expansion sets, there are signs this might happen. The most likely new victory condition may involve completing certain adventures, such as collecting artifacts. (Sort of like putting the 5 rings into play for the L5R CCG.) Overall, the game is suited to people that like competitive, fast-paced action. For those that want to play fun, theme-based decks there is some of that here, but it may take some time to bring to the surface. Style: 5 (Excellent!) Substance: 3 (Average)

7th Sea CCG