Inca Empire (2010)

About this game

In Inca Empire, each player is an "Apu," or leader of one of the four regions ("suyus"). Your job as an Apu is to increase your status in the eyes of the divine emperor ("Sapa Inca") by doing the best job of expanding and improving the empire. Each Apu begins with the manpower of their region. They build roads and conquer neighboring regions, increasing the manpower and resources available to them. Apus are rewarded for each new region they add to the empire and for improvements such as terraces, garrisons, cities, and temples. The player who has the most victory points (VP) at the moment Pizarro arrives at the Inca capital of Cuzco wins the game. Note: Due to the highly interactive nature of the Sun card placement, Inca Empire cannot be played with only two players. Inca Empire is a reimplementation of Tahuantinsuyu.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 3 to 4.
• Rules load. At 3.1/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.