Colonial: Europe's Empires Overseas

Stratagem Game Design · Board game · 2011
2–6 · best 5 120 min Weight 3.5/5
8.0 rating Ludopedia
7.1 rating BGG
Buy · from US$ 49.81
8.0 rating Ludopedia
7.1 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy empire games with a historical feel and plenty of interaction, Colonial is quite the pick! Get ready for a journey of exploration, negotiation, and domination.

Highlights
  • Deep strategic management
  • Intense player interaction
  • Engaging colonial theme
  • Dynamic card system
Keep in mind
  • Considerable learning curve
  • Dice luck dependency
  • Can be lengthy
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Embark on the Colonial Era and command one of the great European powers in Colonial: Europe's Empires Overseas! This game places you in the role of rulers sending their ministers to explore the globe, establish missions, pursue scientific supremacy, and of course, trade exotic goods. Prepare to explore, expand, exploit resources, and exterminate rivals (the famous 4X!) in an epic race for prestige.

The game spans a vast historical period, from the Renaissance to the Industrial Revolution, and blends mechanics like simultaneous action selection, area control, dice rolling (with custom dice for that extra flair!), and a card-driven system that sets the pace of the campaign. You'll need careful management, strategic knowledge, plenty of diplomacy, and a dash of luck to emerge victorious. Exploiting commodities on an industrial scale and reselling them in both Europe and the colonies is crucial for economic success.

Featuring a global-scale map and period-appropriate components, Colonial promises a rich and challenging experience for those who enjoy civilization, economic, and empire-building games. Player interaction is intense, with negotiations and influence struggles shaping the course of the game. It's a game that demands planning and adaptation, rewarding the most cunning and resilient players in their quest for colonial glory.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

2 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–6 players
2 OK
3 REC
4 REC
5 BEST
6 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Admin: Better Description Needed! Components: Map (Global Scale) Components: Wooden pieces & boards Country: France Country: Great Britain Country: Netherlands Country: Portugal Country: Spain Crowdfunding: Kickstarter History: Age of Discovery Mechanism: 4X Region: The World Theme: Colonial
Publisher Stratagem Game Design
Designer Christophe Pont, Maxence Dumontet, Patrice Gasser
Artist Maxime Estoppey

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
What is the average playtime for a game of Colonial?
A full game of Colonial typically takes around 120 minutes, but this can vary significantly depending on the number of players and their familiarity with the rules.
How many players can participate?
The game is designed for 2 to 6 players, offering different experiences at each player count.
Is Colonial a difficult game to learn?
With a weight of around 3.46/5 on BGG, Colonial is considered a medium-heavy to heavy game. It requires dedication to master all its mechanics and strategies.
What comes in the box?
The game includes a global map, cards to drive the campaign and actions, custom and standard dice, as well as wooden pieces and boards to represent players and their colonies.
Is this game more focused on war or on economy/diplomacy?
Colonial balances these aspects well. While there is conflict and competition for territory, economy, resource exploitation, and diplomatic negotiation are equally crucial for victory.
Who would you recommend this game to?
We recommend Colonial to players who enjoy deep strategy games with historical themes, lots of interaction, and who don't mind a steeper learning curve and longer playtimes.

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