Empires of the Middle Ages (1980) Board Game

Empires of the Middle Ages is a classic board game released in 1980 that allows players to simulate the rise and fall of medieval empires. Designed by Anthony F. Buccini, Jim Dunnigan, and Redmond A. Simonsen, the game offers a deep dive into medieval politics, economics, and warfare. With stunning artwork by Morgan Crusader Bible, Redmond A. Simonsen, and Joe Youst, this game is a must-have for history buffs and strategy game enthusiasts.

Game Components of Empires of the Middle Ages

Map: A two-piece map of Europe and Asia Minor.

Year Cards: 56 cards representing five-year periods.

Event Cards: 56 cards in the original edition, with an additional 107 in the second edition published by Decision Games.

Counters: Six sets of 100 colored counters.

Charts and Tables: Various charts and tables for game mechanics.

Rules Booklet: Comprehensive rules for gameplay.

How To Setup Empires of the Middle Ages

To set up the game, players start by distributing the map board, which covers Europe and Asia Minor. Each player selects an empire, composed of various areas rated for wealth, religion, language, and population. The Year cards are shuffled, and each player receives five facedown cards. The Event cards are also shuffled and prepared for play. Players determine their order based on leader stature rating and the number of areas controlled.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Rounds: Each Round represents five years of game time.
– Players draw an Event card and apply its result.
– Players undertake endeavors such as conquest, pillaging, fortification, ruling, and diplomacy.
– Players collect Gold from their controlled areas.
– Players decide whether to continue with more endeavors or end their turn.

Game Turn: Five Rounds constitute a Game Turn, representing 25 years of game time.

Objective: The goal is to manage and expand your empire through strategic decisions and resource management.

Player Experience

**Empires of the Middle Ages** offers a complex and engaging experience, requiring players to balance economic, political, and military strategies. The game is known for its depth and longevity, making it suitable for players with a significant amount of time and patience. The mix of Year cards and Event cards introduces unpredictability, keeping the game exciting and challenging.

Pros

Historical Depth: Provides a detailed simulation of Medieval Europe.

Complex Strategy: Offers a rich and complex gameplay experience.

Replayability: High replay value due to the random nature of Year and Event cards.

Awards and Recognition: Won the Charles S. Roberts Award for “Best Pre-20th Century Game of 1980”.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: Requires a significant amount of time to learn and master the rules.

Rulebook Issues: The second edition’s rulebook was criticized for being poorly organized.

Time-Consuming: A single game can take several hours to complete.

Personal Thoughts on Empires of the Middle Ages

**Empires of the Middle Ages** is ideal for players who enjoy grand strategy, historical simulations, and complex gameplay. It is particularly suited for those with a good understanding of medieval history and the patience to navigate intricate rules and long gameplay sessions. This game is not for casual players but rather for those who are willing to invest time and effort into mastering its mechanics and strategies.

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