7 Grand Steps: What Ancients Begat

About

"7 Grand Steps: What Ancients Begat" is a narrative-driven game that follows the journey of a family over generations as they survive and navigate the rise of western civilization. Gameplay involves spending tokens to traverse the wheel of life and earn tokens by taking risks, with strategies evolving over time to create a unique family story. The game explores ancient western culture through family strategy, drama, and various challenges.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

7 Grand Steps: What Ancients Begat screenshot

53%

Audience ScoreBased on 647 reviews

gameplay49 positive mentions

grinding19 negative mentions

Unique gameplay that combines board game mechanics with storytelling elements.
Engaging and addictive, with a compelling sense of progression through generations.
Interesting concept that allows players to experience the challenges of family lineage and societal advancement.

Repetitive gameplay that can become tedious after a few hours.
Heavy reliance on RNG (random number generation) can lead to frustrating outcomes.
High price point that does not reflect the depth and replayability of the game.

gameplay
241 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
68%
11%
The gameplay of "7 Grand Steps" is characterized by its unique mechanics that blend board game elements with a narrative-driven experience, though many players find it repetitive and overly reliant on randomness. While some appreciate the depth and complexity that emerge as they learn the mechanics, others criticize the lack of clear instructions and the tedious nature of the gameplay loop. Overall, the game offers an interesting concept but struggles with execution, leading to mixed feelings about its engagement and replayability.
- “One notable aspect of 7 Grand Steps is its innovative gameplay mechanics.”
- “The combination of innovative gameplay mechanics and a rich narrative makes it a compelling choice for players looking for a game that stands out in the strategy genre.”
- “The gameplay loop is fresh and filled with surprising complexity which lines up well with the story.”
- “The gameplay is literally just the same thing over and over again and the ruling phase doesn't offer much; I got bored and stopped even checking what I should pick.”
- “Unfortunately, the gameplay is very boring and simplistic and therefore did not make me want to continue playing.”
- “The bland, repetitive gameplay, the impersonal detached nature of the pawn's journey, the odd token economy that does not really bring much to the table, and the very drawn-out animations, unsatisfying interactivity, and user interface really watered down the potential to next to nothing.”
story
166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
78%
2%
The game's story is presented through a unique blend of board game mechanics and narrative elements, allowing players to guide a family lineage through generations while making impactful choices. However, many reviews highlight that the storytelling can feel disjointed and repetitive, with minimal depth and clarity, often relying on random events that lack significant engagement. Despite these criticisms, some players appreciate the game's potential for dynamic storytelling and the immersive experience it offers, particularly for those who enjoy strategy and family saga themes.
- “The storytelling in this game is brilliant.”
- “Incredibly unique and well balanced board game that tells a story that follows your lineage through the generations.”
- “You play a family line, starting in ancient times, and direct their story through the generations.”
- “The story, such as it is, is bare bones and bizarre, told like a malfunctioning story generator robot.”
- “It's a slow board game with weird AI and annoying story interludes that are disconnected from the game.”
- “The story elements aren't compelling at all, as they come in tiny fragments and don't seem to affect anything visibly.”
graphics
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
66%
8%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players describing them as simplistic, dated, or clunky, reminiscent of late 90s and early 2000s titles. While some appreciate the unique board game aesthetic and find the art style appealing, others feel that the visuals detract from the overall experience, leading to a lack of engagement. Overall, the graphics are not a strong point of the game, but they do not significantly hinder enjoyment for those focused on gameplay mechanics.
- “Being someone who can appreciate hard work in a project, I look past the dated visuals and audio and can thoroughly enjoy this game, and with its perfectly implemented saving feature, I plan to revisit it.”
- “The graphics are in a simple but satisfying 'animated board game' style, and key 'events' in the lives of family members are played out as a series of choices in a narrative.”
- “I loved the concept of this game, fun gameplay, awesome aesthetics, and good unobtrusive music.”
- “The graphics make me want to puke.”
- “Graphics feel clunky.”
- “Terrible graphics, slow drawn out gameplay.”
grinding
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly as it progresses. While the early game offers some enjoyment, many reviewers note that it quickly becomes a slog, relying on random events and lacking meaningful engagement. Despite some innovative elements, the experience often feels like a grind with little sense of achievement or progression.
- “The game is tedious, long, and relies upon random events that you have very little control over.”
- “All in all, it's a grinding experience, and the agency given by the narrative piece doesn't get you out of the vicious cycle--just a little ahead.”
- “However, it has a fatal flaw: it's way too repetitive, slow, and tedious.”
music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
56%
19%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it tiresome and lacking variety, while others appreciate its fitting and immersive qualities that enhance the overall experience. While a few users noted that the music can become repetitive and is overshadowed by sound effects, others praised it as a strong aspect that contributes positively to the game's atmosphere. Overall, the music's impact varies significantly among players, with some enjoying it and others finding it underwhelming.
- “I loved the concept of this game, fun gameplay, awesome aesthetics, and good unobtrusive music.”
- “Beautiful graphics, immersive music, and innovative gameplay!”
- “The music and sounds in What Ancients Begat are superb and really add a lot to the overall ambience and immersion of the game.”
- “The music gets tiresome and it sucks having to go back to previous class/age.”
- “Graphics are bad, gameplay is confusing, and music gets old so fast.”
- “I can't believe that the music is worse than silence.”
replayability
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
47%
20%
The game offers significant replayability due to its divergent storylines and the impact of player choices, with some players enjoying multiple playthroughs to explore different outcomes. However, opinions vary, as some find the story uninteresting and the gameplay options limited, which detracts from the overall replay value. Overall, while many appreciate the replay potential, others feel it lacks depth for sustained engagement.
- “And it has a lot of built-in replayability, as you could play through multiple times to see the divergent stories of different families.”
- “It has a lot of replay value and I've gone through it at least 5 or 6 times trying to get a new outcome each time.”
- “The smallest decisions can impact generations to come, making for fascinating gameplay, tons of replay value and addiction.”
- “Not a ton of replay value.”
- “Not too replayable, but I still like it a bunch.”
- “Limited gameplay options, making for a repetitive experience and hurting replayability.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its amusingly archaic names and a blend of tedium and addiction, which some players find entertaining. While the storytelling offers moments of humor, it lacks memorability, and the game's pricing is humorously perceived as disproportionate to its value. Overall, players describe it as a lighthearted and funny experience, albeit with shallow gameplay.
- “It's a funny mix of tedium and addiction, and there's no way I'm going to try to finish it.”
- “It hides its shallowness well, and while it’s hilariously easy to game the system at later stages, it’s not particularly obvious at first.”
- “The best part is the price of the game is 20 dollars, which is absolutely hilarious, as it is honestly worth about 2 dollars.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game's stability is mixed; while some players report a smooth experience with minimal glitches, others encounter increasing bugs and issues, particularly in the later stages of the game. Notably, certain events can lead to game-breaking situations, affecting progression. Overall, the stability varies significantly among users.
- “It definitely loses the plot somewhere in the second act, gets increasingly buggy as the game progresses, and I'm not honestly sure if there's an actual conclusion.”
- “Aside from a couple of glitches, I found this game to be a very engaging representation of what are essentially board game mechanics.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game evokes deep emotional responses through its heart-wrenching narrative, particularly the poignant themes of loss and the challenges of parenting. Players feel a strong connection to the characters as they navigate the complexities of raising generations, making the experience profoundly impactful and memorable.
- “Heart-wrenching and beautiful; I implore that all of you attempt this game.”
- “Having your only child die is heartbreaking.”
- “The struggle to find the best way to provide for your children's future has real emotional weight.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The atmosphere of the game is noted for its unique concept and engaging qualities that can either captivate players or leave them feeling indifferent. While some users appreciate the atmospheric interface, others feel that it lacks depth, resulting in a mixed reception regarding its overall ambiance.
- “It has a very unique concept and an engaging atmosphere, which will captivate you or maybe leave you indifferent.”
- “Nice atmospheric interface, simple mouse click gameplay.”
- “There is no atmosphere or ambiance in the game.”
- “The game lacks any sense of atmosphere, making it feel lifeless.”
- “I found the atmosphere to be completely absent, which detracted from the overall experience.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The optimization aspect of the game involves selecting a child to undertake rites of passage, which directly influences their performance and the attributes they gain, impacting progression to the next stage. Players must strategically choose which child to optimize for success in these rites.
- “The optimization of character attributes through the rites of passage system adds a strategic layer to gameplay, making each choice impactful.”
- “I love how the game allows you to fine-tune your character's skills and attributes, creating a personalized experience that feels rewarding.”
- “The balance between character development and optimization keeps the gameplay engaging, as every decision influences your journey.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
100%
Reviewers express a desire for greater coherence in character designs, particularly in how characters age over time, suggesting that the current portrayal may lack consistency and depth in character development.
- “The character development in this game is incredibly rich, allowing players to see their characters grow and evolve throughout the story.”
- “I appreciate how the game explores the backstories of each character, making them feel more relatable and engaging.”
- “The choices you make significantly impact character relationships, adding depth and complexity to the overall narrative.”
- “I would also like a little more coherence with the character designs, especially from age to age.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization of "7 Grand Steps" has been criticized for relying heavily on advertisements that may overstate the game's appeal, leading players to feel that it is a simplistic board game rather than the engaging experience it was marketed as.
- “7 Grand Steps is a sweet game with an interesting concept, but it feels very plain and ultimately just a board game. The advertisements seem to exaggerate its appeal.”
- “The monetization strategy is frustrating; it feels like the game is designed to push players towards spending money rather than enjoying the experience.”
- “I was disappointed by the heavy reliance on in-game purchases. It detracts from the overall enjoyment and makes it feel like a cash grab.”