Review Detail

Although not much can match this game for sheer epic scale, be prepared for a long sit in with this one. The unapologetic mishmash of chrome and Euro-style strategy rules results in a game of quite astonishing tactical variety where the path to victory is never obvious. The circular nature of the board, political and trade mechanics and objectives system combine brilliantly to ensure that this is a game which rewards negotiation without allowing it to dominate.

For clarity, to get the full six, this needs some optional and expansion rules in play. Out of the box it's worth about four stars. Add in the official variant "Imperial II" card and the optional "Age of Empires" rules and it's worth five. Add the expansion and it's got the six.