Dune: Imperium

Imperium is a combination of a few "euro-style" game systems. Deck builder, Worker Placement, and Area Control all rolled into one game. The components are good quality and the board and card art give it a nice atmostphere. The game mechanics have been streamlined and updated from the old Dune game(so I've heard), but the game play is fun and not complicated.There are 8 leaders, 2 from each house(Atreides, Thorvald, Richese, Harkonnen) to choose from, each with different powers in game play. You start with a deck of 10 cards and buy more cards to your deck through "persuasion" points as you play cards from your starting hand. You have 2 agents(3rd can be obtained later as well as use of the "Mentat" for another placement) that occupy spaces on the board to gain the resources listed and can gain influence with the 4 factions(Emperor, Fremen, Bene Gesserit, and Spacing Guild), as well as handling troops to win combat for rewards. You will gain spice, solari(money), troops. and water, to be utilized in many ways around the board. The 1st player to 10 points triggers the end of the game. The cards you play, tell you where on the board you can place a worker( 7 spots on the Dune planet, 2 spots at each faction you want as allies, 5 spots of the High Council, and 2 spots of the Sell Melange[market]). Each space has a different benefit/cost/reward for placement. Victory points are gained in many ways, creating different paths to win parameters.I would place this game in the medium weight category for complexity and time. There is a lot to take in, but it's not a tough game to learn how to play and the game time is roughly around 1-3 hours or so. 3 hours only for the 1st couple learning games, while more plays reduces it to 1-2 hours maybe. The pieces are simple and effective, with great card and board art work. This is a fun game for 1-4 players. I have not tried the solo player version yet, but the Automa(House Hagal) cards are a decent challenge. You use 2 Hagal bots in a solo game and 1 in a 2-player game. They are there to occupy spaces and add some troops to combat for competition, they gain nothing else. I've played a lot of board games, it's a big hobby for me. Dune: Imperium is a great game for enthusiasts, not the best gateway game into coaxing lighter/non-gamers into the hobby, but certainly can be used for it. It's complex, but not that complicated of a game.

I've had this on my wish list for almost 4 years and finally decided to get it. I absolutely love this game. It's so much fun and easy to learn. Then you just have to figure out your strategy that you want to use to win.There are different ways to get your victory points and depending on which house leader you play, will perhaps make a difference in what you decide to do each turn. This game has lots of replayability in my opinion.8 Different leaders, 2 for each of the 4 Houses.Even if you know nothing about Dune, it's still a great game. My wife knows the bare minimum about Dune from things I've explained, and she really likes this game and found it easy to learn.I've played it once as 2 player game, 3 or 4 times Solo, and once as a 4 player game. Loved all of it. I will say playing 4 player, it starts getting tough to find a space you can go to. Especially if you haven't been purchasing cards that have some of the symbols. It will really hurt you.It has some similar game mechanics to Lords of Waterdeep with regards to some of the spaces, pertaining to if you control that space with your House banner b/c you won a conflict there. You'll get a bonus each time afterwards that you or another player goes to that space.The cards remind me of Lost Ruins of Arnak, in regards to how they're used. You can either use the top part of the card to place an agent on a space on the board if you have the correct symbol on the card that matches that symbol on the board. Or you use the bottom part of the card in the Reveal step, if you didn't play that card that turn. So you have to figure out your strategy on when to play the card for the top or the bottom part to help you.Absolutely love it!!!! So much fun! I'm definitely looking forward to getting the other expansions, one a time to see how it helps with the game. But honestly, you will have a great time with just this base game if you like a board game that has a mix of card hand building mixed with Worker Placement. And has conflict each round, if you choose to participate. But ignore conflict at your peril, b/c you'll miss out on some nice rewards including victory points.The Spice Must Flow!!!!

When I first got the game, the board—and only the board—was in simplified Chinese. But Amazon got me a replacement really quick, so now I’ve actually been able to play the game!I love it!The single player mode is challenging, but not unfair, and I’m eager to play this game with friends and family. I also purchased the Ix expansion, which I’ve heard improves so much upon the base game, so I’m equally excited to try that out!!! Gave all the stars backOld Review:The board is in Chinese. I don’t read Chinese. There’s a guide card that tells you what each square does, but it is a shallow comfort. I am sure the game is excellent, BUT having to translate every space is such a high barrier to my enjoyment. I might return it and try my luck again

If you want a strategic game for ~4 players, with a blend of elements like Lords of Waterdeep's worker placement, dudes on a board combat, and deckbuilding, this game is perfect. Irreplaceable in my boardgame collection.