Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
Want to conquer the world in under 20 minutes? This little game is for you! It's fast, straightforward, and packed with smart decisions.
Highlights
- Quick and engaging expansion
- Clever strategic choices
- Great for any time
- Perfect for newcomers
Keep in mind
- Might lack depth
- Card draw luck
- Interaction can be high
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Get ready for an imperial race in Eight-Minute Empire! This quick area control game throws you into a fierce competition to build an empire and dominate the map. Each turn, you'll select a card from a pool of available options. These cards not only grant you valuable resources to collect at the end of the game but also trigger immediate actions: move armies, found cities, or expand your influence. The trick is to balance territorial expansion, which scores points for majorities in regions and continents, with collecting sets of goods, which also yield points. It's a game where every decision matters, as time is short and the options, while simple to grasp, demand strategic thinking. Perfect for those who want a dose of civilization-themed strategy without dedicating hours. It's the ideal game to fill a short gap or introduce the hobby to friends in a light and fun way. With easy-to-learn rules, it guarantees fast-paced fun and decisions that make your brain work a little, but without being overwhelming.
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
REC
3
BEST
4
BEST
5
REC
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Red Raven Games, 999 Games, Bard Centrum Gier, Brain Games, Competo / Marektoy, Devir, DV Games, Hobby Japan, Hobby World, Ideal Board Games, IELLO, Kaissa Chess & Games, Laser plus, MINDOK, Piatnik, Schwerkraft-Verlag, Swan Panasia Co., Ltd.
Designer
Ryan Laukat
Artist
Ryan Laukat
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
10,927owners
1,048wishlist
168want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
What's the actual playtime of Eight-Minute Empire?
Despite the name, games typically last between 8 and 20 minutes, depending on the player count and their familiarity with the rules.
How many players can participate?
The game is designed for 2 to 5 players.
Is it a complex game?
No, its complexity is considered low (1.62/5 on BGG). The rules are easy to learn, but the strategic decisions can be quite interesting.
Do I need to know English to play?
No, the game has no language dependency, making it accessible to everyone.
Is it a war game?
It's an area control and expansion game with an empire-building theme, but without a focus on detailed combat. The goal is to achieve majorities and collect resources.
Is it worth buying if I already own other area control games?
If you're looking for something very quick, light, and playable on any occasion, then yes. It offers a more agile experience than most games in the genre.
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