First Empires (2022) Board Game

First Empires is a board game released in 2022, designed by Eric B. Vogel and published by Sand Castle Games. The game falls under the categories of Civilization and Territory Building, where players compete to build and expand their empires.

Game Components of First Empires

Game Board: A colored map of the ancient world.

Dice: 5 color-spotted dice.

Civilization Boards: 5 unique boards, each representing a different ancient nation.

Tokens and Markers: Meeples, city tokens, achievement cards, and storage boxes in five player colors.

Achievement Cards: Cards that grant victory points or other advantages.

How To Setup First Empires

To set up First Empires, players place the game board on the correct side based on the player count and set up the turn track board. Each player selects a civilization board and places their explorers in their home region as indicated on the board. Players also shuffle their city tokens, placing one in their home region and the rest face down at the top of each column on their board. Each player receives a starting deck of achievement cards based on their civilization board.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Dice Rolling: Roll 2-5 dice and reroll them 1-4 times based on technology levels.

Movement and Conquest: Move 2-6 units, conquer territories by having more units than opponents, with sword dice faces supplementing unit counts.

Technology Advancement: Advance on five tracks (dice, rerolls, explorers, movement, achievement cards) by matching dice rolls with controlled territories.

City Placement: Place city tokens on the board when advancing on certain tracks, which can be conquered by opponents.

Achievement Cards: Complete cards to earn victory points or manipulate dice rolls.

Game Objective

The ultimate goal is to earn the most victory points by advancing technology levels, conquering cities, and fulfilling achievements.

Player Experience

First Empires offers a smooth and frictionless gameplay experience, ideal for those seeking a light and straightforward area control game. Players constantly optimize their strategy based on dice rolls and the need to control specific colored territories. The game is designed to avoid common issues in area control games, such as negative interaction and kingmaking, resulting in a conflict-less but strategic experience.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple gameplay mechanics make it accessible to new players.

Quick Playtime: Games typically last 45-60 minutes.

Asymmetric Start: Unique starting positions and advantages for each player.

Strategic Depth: Constant optimization and strategic planning required.

Family-Friendly: Straightforward conflict resolution without complex battles.

Cons

Lack of Conflict: The game’s smoothness comes at the cost of intense conflict and emotional engagement.

Limited Emotional Investment: Players may not feel the pain of losing or the thrill of big gambits.

Polished but Dull: Some players may find the game too polished and lacking in friction.

Personal Thoughts on First Empires

First Empires is perfect for players who enjoy light, strategic games without the intense conflict often found in area control games. It is an excellent choice for families or those new to the genre, offering a frictionless and easy-to-understand gameplay experience. However, players who crave the sharp edges and high stakes of more complex area control games might find First Empires too smooth and lacking in emotional investment.

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