Cover of the game Empires

Empires

WizKids (I) · Board game · 2017
Ludopedia
6.7 Ludopedia
BoardGameGeek
6.8 BoardGameGeek
Players
2–10 · best 8
Play Time
30–60 min
Weight
Weight 2.3/5
Year
Year 2017
Minimum age
Minimum age 14+
Buy
6.7 rating Ludopedia
6.8 rating BoardGameGeek
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

Empires is a gem for those who love social interaction and no-holds-barred negotiations. With a frenetic pace of simultaneous actions, it shines in larger groups where the table turns into a true trading floor. If you enjoy games where diplomacy is just as important as military strategy, you'll feel right at home.

Highlights
  • Constant and intense social interaction
  • Total freedom to trade anything
  • Simultaneous actions eliminate downtime
  • Engaging and strategic economic dynamics
Keep in mind
  • Can be chaotic for shy players
  • Requires silver-tongued negotiation skills
  • Works best with larger groups
Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

In Empires, you take on the role of a European nation during the colonial era, vying to become the most influential power on the board. The central goal is to accumulate the most 'support' by the end of the game, and let me tell you, it's no simple task. The game revolves around a pulsing economy where you must put your people to work in conquered territories. This labor generates goods, which are key to keeping your nation running and, of course, selling for profit to fill your gold coffers.

What makes Empires truly special is the total freedom. Forget those annoying trading restrictions: here, if you have it, you can trade it. We're talking about trading practically anything: territories, people, gold, goods, and even your nation's special player powers. If you think a deal will put you ahead, you can negotiate your own grandmother if she's at the table!

Wars are the highlight of the tension. To expand, you need armies, and armies cost gold. Winning conflicts not only grants you more territories and resources but is also one of the main ways to fill your coffers for future rounds. The game takes place in simultaneous rounds, meaning no one is left sitting idle while others think. Everyone acts at the same time, keeping the pace frenetic and requiring you to keep an eye on what your opponents are plotting. It's a game of pure negotiation, where silver-tongued talk and strategic vision are worth just as much as efficient resource management. If you enjoy games that allow for constant interaction and where a 'gentleman's agreement' can be broken the next minute, Empires will be your new favorite table game.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–10 players
2 OK
3 REC
4 BEST
5 BEST
6 BEST
7 BEST
8 BEST
9 REC
10 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Country: Austria Country: Denmark Country: France Country: Great Britain Country: Netherlands Country: Portugal Country: Russia Country: Spain Country: Sweden Misc: LongPack Games Theme: Colonial
Publisher WizKids (I)
Designer Daniel G. Stephenson, David Y. Stephenson
Artist Nate Abell

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

529owners
174wishlist
42want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

5 questions
How many players can play?
Empires is one of the few games that supports 2 to 10 players, making it great for very large groups.
Is the game very complex?
Not at all! With a weight of 2.25/5, it's quite accessible, focusing more on player interaction than complex rules.
How long does a game take?
Usually between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on how fast your group negotiates.
Can I really trade anything?
Yes, that's the heart of the game. You can trade territories, people, gold, and even special player powers.
How does the simultaneous turn work?
Everyone plans their actions at the same time, which prevents the game from slowing down even with many players.

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