Think of 7 Wonders, but with a dash of espionage, diplomacy, and faction alliances. 7 Wonders – Cities brings 42 “City” cards into the age phase, plus two new wonders that add a fun twist. What changes? Now each player can choose between mercenaries, thieves, spies, or diplomats, each offering unique effects – for example, thieves can steal cards from opponents, while diplomats can trade resources. The hand‑management system remains, but the presence of debt cards and diplomacy tokens adds a risk layer: you can owe a rival and have to pay a higher price at the end. The expansion also introduces a team mode (for 4 or 6 players), where two teams compete, share resources, and vie for points. If you love the open‑draft mechanic of 7 Wonders, you’ll notice the City cards increase interaction, making each turn more unpredictable. Components are high quality: wonder boards, 42 City cards, 26 debt tokens, 4 diplomacy tokens, score sheets, and a detailed rulebook. In terms of time, the game stays around 40 minutes even with the expansion, and the complexity remains the same: easy to learn but with enough strategic layers to keep veterans engaged. In short, Cities is the perfect upgrade for anyone who loves 7 Wonders and wants more interaction and diplomatic tension – and it can be played in teams if you want to mix things up.