Today I want to talk about 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, developed by Hot Lava Games. I usually keep my reviews on the positive side because I’m very selective with the titles I choose to play and talk about, but in this case I need to be honest right from the start: this is one of those games I played endlessly on my PSP back in the day, and I have a soft spot for it purely out of nostalgia. Unfortunately, nostalgia is not enough to save it from the huge technical problems it has on modern systems.
And that’s where the whole thing falls apart before the review can even begin.
The Big Problem: It Simply Doesn’t Work Anymore
The game is basically unplayable on Steam Deck and even on recent versions of Windows. It seems to be related to a music DLL that crashes the game on launch. And trust me when I say I tried everything. I spent the entire afternoon testing fixes, compatibility settings, community suggestions, different Proton versions on Steam Deck, and every Windows workaround I could think of.
Every time it looks like the game is about to open… it closes immediately.
From what I’ve discovered, this issue is widespread. Not just on Steam Deck, but on modern Windows—and even some older Windows builds are affected. The developer hasn’t touched the game in ages, so nothing is going to get patched.
Because Steam Deck performance is something I value a lot in my reviews, this already breaks the experience before I can even talk about the game itself. I eventually had to go back to my PSP just to replay the game, remember how it was, and be able to talk about the rest of its features.
So if you’re on Steam Deck or a modern PC, I cannot recommend it at all.
Once It Actually Runs: What the Game Is
Putting compatibility aside, 7 Wonders of the Ancient World is basically an old-school match-three puzzle game—something closer to early web-based titles and far from the polished match-three games we have today. Think of it like a proto-version of Candy Crush, but with gems instead of candies.
Each completed match drops stone blocks that the builders collect to construct one of the seven ancient wonders:
the Pyramid of Giza, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, and so on. The goal is to finish the monument before time runs out.
The idea itself is honestly very charming. Turning the seven wonders into a match-three progression loop is clever, and later entries in the series handle it much better. Those sequels don’t have the compatibility disaster this one has (or at least not to such a catastrophic degree).
Music and Presentation
The soundtrack starts off enjoyable, but quickly becomes repetitive—partly because you’ll spend a long time trying to beat stages, between failed attempts and the constantly shrinking time bar. It’s not unbearable, just monotonous.
The graphics are simple but have their own charm. The monuments are recognizable, and the whole aesthetic reminds me of those classic Flash games we all played on free game websites years ago. That nostalgic vibe gives it a tiny boost for me, even if the game is clearly outdated.
Where It Really Falls Short
Even ignoring the compatibility issues, the game itself has noticeable limitations. The repetition sets in fast, the mechanics don’t evolve much, and the genre has moved far beyond what this title offers. There are many match-three games today that play better, feel more dynamic and don’t suffer from frustrations like this.
Still, there aren’t many puzzle games themed around ancient monuments, so the concept remains a bit unique.
Final Thoughts
If you want to play this game today, make absolutely sure it works on your operating system first. Watch gameplay videos, check compatibility reports and be prepared for headaches.
The game isn’t amazing, but it isn’t terrible either—it just hasn’t aged well, and the technical issues push it down even further. Despite my nostalgia, I’m giving it a five out of ten, one of the lowest scores I’ve given so far.
I would only recommend it if you’re really into match-three mechanics, you love the theme of the ancient wonders, or you’re a completionist who wants every entry in the series. Otherwise, the later games do everything better.
AUTHOR INFORMATION
A basic match-three puzzle formula where matching gems drops stones used to build the seven wonders before time runs out. Charming but very repetitive.
Simple and nostalgic, reminiscent of early Flash-era browser games. The wonders are easy to recognize and the art style has a certain retro appeal.
Starts pleasant but becomes repetitive quickly, especially during long attempts where the time bar keeps shrinking.
Unfortunately, it’s unplayable. Crashes instantly due to music DLL issues. No fixes, no workarounds, and no patches expected.
Low. The core loop doesn’t evolve much and repetition sets in quickly, although the theme may appeal to fans of ancient history.
PROS / CONS
- Charming ancient-world theme.
- Recognizable monuments and nostalgic art style.
- Simple, easy-to-understand gameplay.
- A classic entry for collectors of the series.
- Completely incompatible with Steam Deck.
- Crashes on modern Windows systems.
- Music becomes repetitive.
- Gameplay grows monotonous quickly.
- Many better match-three games exist today.
