Empires of the Ancient World (2000) Board Game

Empires of the Ancient World is a board game that was released in in 2000. Designed by Peter Dennis and published by Warfrog Games, the game allows players to take on the roles of ancient civilizations and compete for dominance in the ancient world. With a mix of area majority, campaign battles, and trading mechanics, players must strategize and outmaneuver their opponents to come out on top.

Game Components of Empires of the Ancient World

Full-color army cards featuring units like pikes, swords, war bands, elephants, heavy cavalry, foot skirmishers, light horse, siege towers, artillery, and galleys.

Special cards for developing military leaders, diplomats, traders, and engineers.

Province markers for territorial control.

Standard empire army cards for initial units such as swordsmen, spearmen, and skirmishers.

Additional army cards acquired through gameplay, including cavalry, artillery, archers, and more.

Game board depicting the ancient world from the British Isles to Iraq and North Africa.

How To Setup Empires of the Ancient World

To set up the game, each player selects an empire to start with, such as Italy/Rome, Carthage, Pontus, or Parthia, each with its own colored tokens and historical generals. Players begin by placing their occupation markers in their starting territories. Each player is given a set of standard empire army cards and can draw additional cards to enhance their army. The game board is laid out, showing the hexagonal grid of the ancient world.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Innovative Card Combat System: Players secretly choose five army cards, sorting them into a battle pile. Combat is resolved by simultaneously revealing the top cards from each player’s battle-deck, considering special skills and modifiers of the units involved.

Territorial Control: Players expand their empires by annexing neutral provinces and defending their territories.

Trading: Players can focus on building the largest trading empire as an alternative to military conquest.

Victory Points: Points are awarded for controlling provinces. The game ends after four turns, with the player having the most victory points declared the winner.

Balancing Military Might: Having the largest army results in losing the most victory points, encouraging strategic use of forces.

Player Experience

Players experience a mix of strategic planning, resource management, and tactical combat. The game requires balancing military expansion with the need to maintain a sustainable empire, as over-militarization can penalize victory points. Trading and diplomacy also play crucial roles, offering alternative paths to victory.

Pros

Innovative Combat System: The card-based combat mechanic adds a unique layer of strategy.

Multiple Paths to Victory: Players can choose between military conquest, trading, or a balanced approach.

Historical Depth: The game incorporates historical units and figures, enhancing the immersive experience.

Replayability: With various starting empires and the random draw of additional army cards, each game offers a different experience.

Cons

Complex Setup: The initial setup can be time-consuming and complex.

Steep Learning Curve: Mastering the card combat system and strategic balance requires practice.

Lengthy Gameplay: The game can take several hours to complete, which may deter casual players.

Personal Thoughts on Empires of the Ancient World

**Empires of the Ancient World** is ideal for fans of strategy and historical games. It caters to those who enjoy deep, complex gameplay and are willing to invest time in learning the mechanics. The game is perfect for groups of experienced gamers looking for a challenging and rewarding experience. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or those seeking quick, light-hearted gameplay.

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