Monopoly Empire (2013) Board Game

Monopoly Empire is a spin-off version of the classic Monopoly board game, released by Hasbro in in 2013. Unlike the traditional Monopoly game where players buy properties, in Monopoly Empire, players buy and trade famous brands and companies. The game is designed for 2-4 players and has a playtime of about 10-25 minutes, making it a quicker and more fast-paced version of the original game.

Game Components of Monopoly Empire

Board: Featuring brand spaces and Empire spaces.

Chance cards: Placed facedown on the board.

Empire cards: Packed with super-powered actions, also placed facedown on the board.

Billboards: 22 billboard tiles matching brand spaces.

Tokens: Golden tokens for player movement.

Tower: Each player has a tower to fill with billboards.

Office tiles: Bonus tiles for collecting color sets of companies.

Dice: Standard dice with an additional “sneaky swapper” option.

Money: Three denominations of money, no complex mortgage rules.

Electric Company and Water Works billboards: Placed on their respective spaces.

How To Setup Monopoly Empire

To set up the game, start by shuffling the Chance cards and Empire cards and placing them facedown on their respective spaces on the board. Choose a Banker who will manage the Bank’s money, conduct auctions, pay players when they pass GO, and collect fines and taxes. Each player starts with A1000 K, two Empire cards, one token to place on GO, and one tower. The 22 billboard tiles are placed on their matching brand spaces around the board. Finally, the 4 Electric Company and 4 Water Works billboards are placed on their designated spaces.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Movement: Roll the dice to move your token clockwise around the board.

Buying Brands: When you land on a brand space, buy it and slide its billboard into your tower.

Empire Cards: Collect Empire cards when you land on Empire spaces; these cards have super-powered actions.

Color Sets: Collecting all the billboards for a color set earns you a bonus office tile.

Sneaky Swapper: If you roll the sneaky swapper on the dice, you can swap the topmost billboard in one tower with the topmost billboard in any other tower.

Objective: Fill your tower with billboards first to win the game.

Player Experience

Monopoly Empire is designed to be a quicker and more family-friendly version of the classic game. Games typically last 20-30 minutes, making it ideal for short attention spans. The game involves strategic moves and the use of Empire cards, which can significantly impact gameplay. Players appreciate the engagement, as everyone stays involved each turn, and the rules keep players in the game even if they run out of money. However, some players find the game’s reliance on luck and the brutal nature of some Empire cards to be drawbacks.

Pros

Quick Gameplay: Games last 20-30 minutes.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for younger kids and adults alike.

Engaging: Everyone stays involved each turn.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules and fast-paced gameplay.

Value for Money: Relatively inexpensive and good quality components.

Strategic: Involves strategic decisions and use of Empire cards.

Cons

Luck-Driven: Some gameplay elements are heavily based on luck.

Brutal Mechanics: Empire cards can be very harsh, potentially causing significant setbacks.

Corporate Focus: Some players see it as a commercial barrage of brands rather than a pure Monopoly experience.

No Hotels or Motels: Unlike the classic version, there are no hotels or motels to increase property value.

Personal Thoughts on Monopoly Empire

**Monopoly Empire** is great for those looking for a faster, more dynamic version of Monopoly. It’s ideal for family game nights and is particularly suited for players with short attention spans. However, it may not be the best choice for purists of the classic game, as it introduces significant changes and a stronger emphasis on luck and corporate branding. Despite this, it offers a unique and engaging twist that keeps players involved and strategizing throughout the game.

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.