# Colonialism ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2013 - **BGG Rating**: 6.7 - **BGG Rank**: #6844 - **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 3) - **Duration**: 90 min - **Weight**: 2.95 / 5 - **Designers**: Scott W. Leibbrandt - **Artists**: Harald Lieske - **Publishers**: Spielworxx - **Categories**: Bluffing, Political, Post-Napoleonic - **Mechanics**: Action Points, Area Majority / Influence, Area Movement, Campaign / Battle Card Driven, Hand Management ## Verdict Colonialism is a tense area-control experience that shines through direct player interaction. If you enjoy anticipating your opponent's moves and managing resources under pressure, you'll feel right at home. It's a focused game without fluff, delivering a classic imperialist struggle with a dash of bluffing. Perfect for those seeking a mid-weight strategic challenge with a reasonable playtime.Tense and rewarding bluffing mechanicsConsistently fierce territorial disputesVery honest and tight playtimeHigh level of player interactionCan be punishing for newcomersHeavy reliance on reading opponentsRECOMMENDED ## Description If you enjoy strategy games that mix a bit of 'tension in the air' with careful planning, Colonialism will drop you straight into the 19th century. Here, you aren't just a player; you are a colonial power trying to expand your influence across the globe. The game is a race for resources in unindustrialized regions, and the fun is entirely based on how you manage your cards and where you decide to place your political weight. The flow is well-defined: you have an action phase, where bluffing reigns supreme, and a colonization phase, where the action hits the fan and conflict occurs. You use cards to secretly bid for influence in six different regions. The highlight is the reveal moment: when everyone shows their cards, the tension spikes, conflicts are resolved, and native influence is cleared out. It's a game that demands you read your opponents, as you need to guess where they'll invest so you don't get outmaneuvered. The amount of resources you collect depends directly on your dominance in each area, so every move counts. If you like games where interaction is constant and area control is the heart of the strategy, this title delivers a very straightforward, focused experience. Don't expect a super complex engine-building Euro; here, the focus is on territorial disputes and the timing of your plays. It's the kind of game that leaves everyone discussing what went right or wrong in their strategy at the end. With a very honest duration, it fits perfectly into a game night where you want something strategic that won't consume your entire night. It's an excellent choice for those who enjoy historical themes and aren't afraid of a fierce scramble for resources. ## FAQ ### Is the game hard to learn? The rules are straightforward. With a BGG weight of 2.95, it's a medium-complexity game that's easy to teach in about 15 minutes. ### Does it work well with 2 players? It shines best with 3 or 4 players due to the area-control and bluffing dynamics, but it is perfectly playable with 2. ### Is this a wargame? Not exactly. It's more of a political influence and area-control game than a traditional wargame with dice and tactical combat. ### Is there a lot of luck? The game is card-driven, so there is some luck of the draw, but bluffing and strategic placement weigh much more heavily. ### How long does a game take? The game is very focused, clocking in at around 90 minutes, which is great for a game night that doesn't need to last all night. ### Do I need a large table? The game uses a global map, so you'll need a standard-sized table to accommodate the board and player components. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 42.23 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=2203305&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 94.34 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6896528&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/7879/colonialism?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com