Western Empires is not a war game, as it may seem at first glance. Yes, wars happen, but it is rather a game about history, culture, trade, development and... calamities.

Players develop their own unique civilization in the fields of arts, crafts, science, civics and religion.

Each player starts their civilization with one population token in 8000 BC, but it grows and grows over time and eventually cities can be built. Cities bring wealth and fortune, of course, but also... major problems such as epidemics, famine, earthquakes, pirate attacks and civil unrest. These riches and problems are expressed in trading cards.

The more cities, the more cards a player receives. Trading is the basis of the game. A truly social experience, where all players trade simultaneously with each other for a limited time. If you end up with a problem card... then you have to suffer these problems.

Build walls, give your citizens art, music and architecture. Developing religion, democracy, improving science... 51 different advancements can be developed in five different categories. Maybe you can even construct a wonder of the world, or spread your people across the map to gain cultural dominance.

The player who best manages to cooperate, trade or fight for territory, defend his people against nature or enemies such as barbarian hordes and survive the test of time will ultimately win the game after 12 hours.