Colonial: Europe's Empires Overseas (2011)

About this game

Colonial: Europe's Empires Overseas is a board game about colonial times, from the Renaissance to the Industrial Revolution. In Colonial players are the rulers of mighty European states and send their ministers to explore the earth, establish missions, ascertain scientific supremacy, and trade in exotic goods. These commodities will have to be exploited on an industrial scale and resold in Europe or in the colonies. Set against an epic historical backdrop and using a branded Character Card-driven system, conventional dice and custom dice, this fast-paced board game requires careful management, knowledge, diplomacy and a degree of luck to lead to victory in the race for prestige.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 2 to 6.
• Rules load. At 3.5/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 14 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.