Empire Builder (1982) Board Game

Empire Builder is a classic board game that was first released in in 1982. It is part of the highly popular “crayon rail system” series of games, where players build railway routes to connect cities and deliver goods. The game has been praised for its strategic depth and replayability, making it a favorite among fans of economic and transportation-themed board games.

Game Components of Empire Builder

Map: A 28″ x 22″ foldout map of the United States and southern Canada, marked with a grid of dots and coated with a plastic cover.

Rulebook: A 4-page rulebook.

Cards: A 112-card deck with Demand, Action, and Event cards.

Locomotives: 6 painted diecast metal locomotive tokens (later editions used plastic tokens).

Crayons: 6 crayons for marking tracks.

Counters: Die-cut cardboard counters representing goods and freighters.

Currency: Play currency.

How To Setup Empire Builder

To set up the game, each player starts with $40 million and is dealt three cards from the deck. Players discard any Event and Action cards, redrawing until they have three Demand cards. The player with the highest priced Demand card goes first. The initial two turns involve each player spending up to $20 million to build track, with the order of play switching direction after the first round.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Building Track: Costs vary based on terrain (e.g., $1 million for ordinary dots, $2 million for mountains, $3 million for small cities, $5 million for major cities).

Crossing Water: Additional costs for rivers ($2 million) and ocean inlets ($3 million).

Movement: Players place their locomotive on a city, load goods, and move along their track. Delivering goods to cities on Demand cards earns the player money.

Card Draw: After delivering goods, players discard the used Demand card and draw a new one.

Events: Event cards are resolved immediately.

Objective: The first player to amass $250 million and connect six of the seven major cities wins the game.

Player Experience

Empire Builder offers a blend of strategic planning and economic management. Players must carefully allocate resources to build efficient railroad tracks, manage demand cards, and navigate the challenges posed by Event cards. The game rewards careful strategy and offers significant replay value due to its complex yet balanced mechanics.

Pros

Complex and Challenging: Provides a nuanced gaming experience without being overly tedious.

High Replay Value: Different Demand cards and Event cards ensure varied gameplay.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful resource allocation and planning.

Classic Appeal: Praised by critics like Gary Gygax and Allen Varney for its robust design.

Cons

Long Playing Time: Games can last between 60 to 240 minutes.

Complex Rules: New players may find the setup and rules overwhelming.

Vintage Condition: Older copies may show signs of wear and tear, such as stained boxes or worn components.

Personal Thoughts on Empire Builder

Empire Builder is ideal for fans of railroad-themed games and those who enjoy strategic, resource-intensive board games. It is best suited for players aged 12 and above who are looking for a challenging yet rewarding experience. While the game can be lengthy, the depth of strategy and the satisfaction of building and managing a railroad empire make it a classic worth exploring.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.