Inca Empire (2010) Board Game

Inca Empire is a board game released in 2010 that takes players back to the ancient civilization of the Inca Empire. Designed by Alexandre Roche, the game allows players to experience the strategic decision-making and resource management skills needed to build and expand an empire.

Game Components of Inca Empire

Map: A long map with numerous regions to conquer and develop.

Labor Tokens: Used as the primary currency for actions.

Sun Cards: Event cards that provide helps or hindrances, affecting players in different ways.

Roads: Used for connecting cities, garrisons, temples, and terraces.

Cities, Garrisons, Temples, and Terraces: Buildings that provide victory points and other benefits.

Sun Board: A board where players place their Sun Cards, which affect players based on color pairing.

How To Setup Inca Empire

To set up Inca Empire, players begin by placing the map, distributing the initial labor tokens, and setting up the Sun Board. Each player starts with a set of labor tokens and a few starting roads. The game includes several phases and components that need to be organized before the game begins, such as the Sun Cards and the building sites marked on the map.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Route Building: Players build roads to connect their buildings and expand their empire.

Empire Building: Constructing cities, garrisons, temples, and terraces to gain victory points.

Civilization Lite: Managing resources and labor to develop the empire.

Event Cards: Using Sun Cards to help or hinder players.

Objective: The goal is to gain the most victory points by building and connecting to the most areas on the board, as well as by constructing various buildings and using event cards strategically.

Player Experience

Playing Inca Empire is a strategic and interactive experience. Players must balance the construction of buildings for one-off victory points with the development of their road network for recurring scoring. The game features a rein-in-the-leader mechanism through event cards, where trailing players can penalize the leader. This dynamic requires players to think ahead and adapt to the actions of others. The game is rewarding but can feel scripted in the early stages due to the fixed sites for cities and garrisons. However, there is still ample room for smart play and strategic decisions.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Players need to plan carefully and make strategic decisions about resource management and building placement.

Interactive Gameplay: The game is highly interactive, with players competing to block each other and race to building sites.

Replayability: The event cards and the dynamic nature of the game ensure high replayability.

Thematic Engagement: The game feels satisfying as players build and expand their empire.

Cons

Long Playtime: The game can take 90-120 minutes to complete, which may be daunting for some players.

Complexity: Managing Sun Cards and labor tokens can be complex and require frequent rule checks, especially in the early games.

Scripted Early Game: The initial stages of the game can feel somewhat scripted due to fixed building sites and resource management.

Personal Thoughts on Inca Empire

Inca Empire is ideal for players who enjoy strategic, long-form games with a strong focus on empire building and resource management. It is particularly suited for fans of Euro-style games who appreciate the depth of planning and the interactive nature of the gameplay. However, it may not be the best choice for casual gamers or those who prefer shorter play sessions. The game’s complexity and long playtime make it more appealing to experienced board game enthusiasts who are willing to invest time and effort into mastering its mechanics.

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.