First Empires

Sand Castle Games, ADC Blackfire Entertainment, テンデイズゲームズ (TendaysGames) · Board game · 2022
7.7 Ludopedia 6.8 BGG 2–5 · best 5 45–60 min Weight 2.1/5
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7.7 rating Ludopedia
6.8 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

Fans of light civilization games will love First Empires — it's tactical, fast-paced, with game-changing dice rolls.

Highlights
  • Dynamic and easy to learn
  • Great balance of luck and strategy
  • Quick playtime (under 1h)
  • Satisfying personal board progression
Keep in mind
  • Some turns can be dice-luck dependent
  • Direct conquest may deter peace-loving players
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

What if the empires we know never existed? In First Empires, you rewrite history by leading a forgotten civilization, using dice and strategy to conquer territories and develop technologies. Each player starts with a personal board to evolve abilities like movement, combat, and expansion. Dice are your main resource: their faces match your empire's areas, and a good roll can mean conquering a region or advancing your tech tree. But beware — opponents are eyeing the same territories, and sometimes a lucky (or unlucky) roll can change history. The game is fast-paced, lasting about an hour, and balances luck and planning so even those new to civilization games can enjoy it. In the end, the winner will be whoever manages resources wisely, expands strategically, and completes key objectives.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–5 players
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST
5 BEST

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Components: Dice with Icons Components: Map (Global Scale) Organizations: Forgenext
Publisher Sand Castle Games, ADC Blackfire Entertainment, テンデイズゲームズ (TendaysGames)
Designer Eric B. Vogel
Artist Jérémie Fleury

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

1,828owners
391wishlist
49want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

5 questions
Is First Empires hard for beginners?
Not at all! Rules are simple, and the game teaches as you develop your empire. Great to introduce civilization games.
What's the best player count?
Works best with 3 or 4, where territory disputes shine. With 2, it's more controlled and strategic.
Is there a lot of text?
Barely any! Symbols and icons make it easy to learn, and cards have minimal wording.
How does it differ from other civ games?
It's faster and more straightforward, focusing on dice and personal development without complex details.
Are expansions needed?
Nope, the base game is complete. All mechanics are in the box, no extra purchases required.

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