Nations puts you in command of a civilization from its prehistoric beginnings right up to the brink of World War I. Get ready for an epic journey where you and up to four friends will compete to build the most prosperous and influential nation in history. The game isn't about moving armies on a map, but rather about strategic development and intelligent resource management, balancing immediate needs with long-term growth, facing threats, and seizing opportunities.

Each player chooses a nation and a difficulty level, much like in classic computer civilization games. Each round, after a growth phase, two historical events are revealed, and players compete to deal with them. Actions are simple, yet choices are profound: buy cards to expand your infrastructure, allocate workers to boost production, or hire architects to construct wonders that will leave your mark on history. All of this happens on your individual player board, where you build your empire without direct attacks on opponents, but with plenty of indirect interaction and competition for resources and events.

At the end of each round, there's production, player order is re-evaluated (always a fierce competition!), historical events come to pass, and in certain ages, books are scored. Old cards are replaced by new ones, keeping the flow and options fresh. Victory points are gained and lost throughout the game, culminating in the final tally. The player with the highest score at the end of eight rounds, or the game, will be crowned the leader of the most glorious nation!