Empires: Age of Discovery (2015) Board Game

Empires: Age of Discovery is a board game that was released in 2015, designed by Cyril Van Der Haegen and published by Eagle-Gryphon Games. The game is set during the Age of Exploration and players take on the roles of different colonial powers as they expand their empires across the globe.

Game Components of Empires: Age of Discovery

Game board featuring the Americas divided into nine regions

Colonist tokens

Trade goods tokens

Merchant ships

Capital building tiles

Discovery tiles and cards

Native American symbols representing defense values

Event boxes (Initiative, Colonist Dock, Trade Goods, Merchant Shipping, Capital Building, Specialists)

Money

Victory point tokens

National Advantages (with the *Builders Expansion*.

How To Setup Empires: Age of Discovery

To set up the game, each player selects a major European power (England, France, Spain, Portugal, or Holland, with Italy as an option with the *Builders Expansion*). The board is laid out with one of the nine regions already discovered, and discovery tiles are placed face-down in the other eight regions. Each player starts with a small supply of money and colonists. The event boxes are placed on the board, and the Discovery Card deck is prepared for later use.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Turn Structure: Players place colonists in event boxes, which are then resolved in a specific order (Initiative, Colonist Dock, Trade Goods, Merchant Shipping, Capital Building, Specialists).

Resource Collection: Players collect resources based on their colonists’ placements.

Region Discovery: Players commit colonists to discover new regions, which must exceed the defense value represented by Native American symbols.

Trade Goods Management: Players earn and manage trade goods to maximize income.

Victory Points: Earned through control of regions, final-turn income, discovery tiles, discovery cards, and certain capital buildings.

Game Objective: The player with the most victory points at the end of the game wins.

Player Experience

In **Empires: Age of Discovery**, players immerse themselves in the age of exploration, taking on the roles of colonial powers vying for fame, glory, and wealth. The game requires strategic planning, resource management, and tactical decision-making. Players must balance the need to discover new regions with the necessity of managing their trade goods and colonist placements to maximize their income and victory points.

Pros

Engaging Theme: The game’s historical setting and exploration mechanics make for an engaging and immersive experience.

Deep Strategy: Multiple layers of strategy, including resource management, area control, and event resolution.

High Replayability: The random placement of discovery tiles and the variety of capital buildings ensure unique games each time.

Quality Components: The game comes with high-quality components, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

Cons

Complexity: The game has a steep learning curve due to its complex mechanics and multiple phases.

Lengthy Gameplay: Games can be quite long, typically lasting several hours.

Luck Factor: The random elements, such as discovery tiles and event resolutions, can introduce a significant luck factor.

Personal Thoughts on Empires: Age of Discovery

**Empires: Age of Discovery** is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy complex, strategic games with deep themes. It is particularly suited for those interested in historical settings and economic/resource management mechanics. However, due to its complexity and lengthy gameplay, it may not be the best fit for casual or new board game players. Despite this, the game’s engaging theme and high replayability make it a valuable addition to any serious board game collection.

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.