Conquest of the Empire
| Conquest of the Empire | |
|---|---|
| Game data | |
| author | Glenn Drover , Lawrence H. Harris , Martin Wallace |
| publishing company | Eagle Games |
| Publishing year | 2005 |
| Art | epic, strategic board game |
| Teammates | 4 to 6 |
| Duration | 180 minutes |
| Age | from 10 years on |
Conquest of the Empire is a strategic board game.
It is important to differentiate precisely between the old edition of Conquest of the Empire from 1984 and the revised new edition. Since the new edition is almost exclusively available in Germany , it will be the focus of this article.
Story of the game
The very first version of Conquest of the Empire was the game VI Caesars, released in 1982 by Citadel . MB then revised the game slightly and released it as part of the Gamemaster Series in 1984 under the name Conquest of the Empire. Despite the revision, the game was always considered buggy. Fans created errata and revised rules (e.g. for the catapults) to make the game more playable. Since Conquest of the Empire never reached the level of awareness that Axis & Allies did, it was no longer reproduced. It became an insider tip and an exclusive collector's item. In 2005 Eagle Games brought out a new edition. Collector prices plummeted and the game became more accessible to the masses again. The edition of Eagle Games receives the old and edited rules on the one hand, and a new version with additional elements on the other.
scenario
The game depicts the power struggle in the Roman Empire in AD 200. In the various provinces of the empire, Caesars and their generals rise to defeat the other competitors in battle and to gain control of the Roman Empire . To this end, cities are built, roads are built, taxes are levied, but armies are also raised, cavalry trained and ships built. Because after bloody battles, in the end only one can be the new emperor .
Furnishing
The game's features are very powerful. The game plan, which is supplied in three parts and depicts the Roman Empire from Great Britain to the Jordan, can be described as large even for epic board games . The game also contains over 300 military figures in six colors, cities, streets and coins. Everything is made of plastic and plastic. The miniatures are detailed and lovingly designed. The level of detail is particularly evident in the catapults, which can even shoot properly. There are also special combat dice.
Gameplay
Each player slips into the role of a Caesar. From his starting province he tries to catch the opposing Caesars by building troops and defeat the other players. To build troops, you need tax revenue, which you get from conquering playing fields and building expensive cities. It is always important to invest the money correctly, as roads and cities also need to be built. In addition, the inflation simulated by the game can lead to acute money shortages. Conquest of the Empire is breaking new ground in the troop movement. Because each group can only move if a general is there. However, they cannot be reproduced and are therefore a valuable resource. The player must always weigh up the benefits of his movement and the risk of losing a general. Combat results are rolled with the aid of a good mix of troops.
criticism
The game itself has depth without becoming too complex. The equipment is considered exemplary. However, since attacking is not necessarily rewarded, the game can tend to drag on a little. In the new edition, ambiguous or unclear translations into German can lead to misunderstandings. It is therefore advisable to always have the English original of the rules on hand.
Manufacturer information
There are always contradicting manufacturer information about Conquest of the Empire, which is also related to the different versions. Sometimes the game is classified as from twelve years and from two people, another time from ten years and from four players. The playing time is also given very differently. Based on the experience of players, however, the assessment shown in the box above can be regarded as accurate.