Pocket Imperium (2013) Board Game

Pocket Imperium is a science fiction board game designed by Brett J. Gilbert and Todd Sanders, released in in 2013. The game is set in space and revolves around territory building and space exploration.

Game Components of Pocket Imperium

Game board

Player boards

Space tiles

Resource tokens

Ship tokens

Event cards

Scorepad

How To Setup Pocket Imperium

Setting up Pocket Imperium is relatively straightforward. Each player chooses a player board and places it in front of them. The space tiles are shuffled and drawn to create the galaxy, which is placed in the center of the playing area. Each player starts with a set of resource tokens and ship tokens. The event cards are also shuffled and placed within reach of all players. The game is now ready to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Exploration: Players explore the galaxy by placing space tiles.

Expansion: Players expand their empire by placing their ships on the galaxy tiles.

Exploitation: Players collect resources from the tiles they control.

Extermination: Players can engage in combat with other players to take over their tiles.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most points by controlling tiles, collecting resources, and completing events.

Player Experience

Playing Pocket Imperium offers a condensed yet rich 4X experience. The game is designed for 2-4 players and typically lasts about 30-45 minutes. Players must balance exploration, resource management, and strategic expansion, all within a compact and portable package. The game’s small size belies its depth, making it an excellent choice for those who want a full strategy experience without the lengthy setup and playtime.

Pros

Portable: The game is very compact and easy to carry.

Quick Playtime: Games are relatively short, making it accessible for a quick strategy fix.

Deep Strategy: Despite its size, the game offers a lot of strategic depth.

Easy to Learn: The rules are simple to understand, but the game has plenty of complexity.

Cons

Limited Player Interaction: Some players might find the interaction between players to be limited compared to larger 4X games.

Luck Element: The draw of space tiles and event cards can introduce a significant luck element.

Personal Thoughts on Pocket Imperium

Pocket Imperium is perfect for fans of 4X games who want a more casual and portable experience. It is ideal for those who enjoy strategy but have limited time or prefer a quicker game session. While it may not replace full-scale 4X games for hardcore enthusiasts, it serves as an excellent introduction to the genre or a fun filler game for experienced players.

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.