Description
End of Empire, Deluxe Edition covers the gradual unraveling of British colonial dominance in North America. The War of Jenkins’ Ear (1739-1748) began as a trade conflict between Britain and Spain. Also covered are King William’s War (1689-1697), Queen Anne’s War (1702-1713), and the French and Indian War (1754-1763). Finally, the American War for Independence (1775-1783), culminating in the loss of Britain’s Thirteen Colonies and the formal recognition of the United States. The British Empire’s defeat marked the end of its first great imperial era in North America.
End of Empire includes 23 different scenarios: Two Short Training Scenarios – The Invasion of Canada and War of Jenkins’ Ear, Three American Frontier Scenarios, Two of King George’s War, Three of Queen Anne’s War, One of King William’s War, Ten American Revolutionary War Scenarios.
Leaders and initiative are the crux of this design. Armies will sit by useless for months, letting opportunities slip by. But when they get moving, things can happen very quickly. The gradual improvement in quality of the Continental army is not at all obvious at first glance. The British army is very different from the American and is much more brittle.
Each End of Empire game turn represents two months time. Each year consists of one spring turn, two summer turns, one fall turn, and two winter turns. Each hex is approximately 20 miles across. Units are mostly regiments but a few represent other sizes, each step represents approximately 250 men.
End of Empire features two maps showing eastern North America. Each hex or town contains natural and/or man-made features that can effect the movement of units and the combat between units.
Game mechanics are quite straightforward — End of Empire uses a modified turn based system — making even the monster scenarios playable. Leadership sits at the heart of the game system. Most units are severely constrained in their abilities unless stacked with a leader, who himself needs to pass an initiative die roll to do anything. Reaction allows stationary units of the non-phasing player to have impact.
End of Empire is an epic game and perhaps the most detailed coverage of the critical period that saw the Empires of England, France, and Spain exit North America and the rise of the United States of America. With 23 scenarios, End of Empire represents plenty of value for your gaming dollar.
Product Information
- Complexity: 7 out of 10
- Solitaire Suitability: 6 out of 10
- Time Scale: 2 months per turn
- Map Scale: 20 miles per hex
- Unit Scale: Various sizes – mostly regiments and fleets
- Players: Two
- Playing Time: Six to eighteen hours depending on scenario
- Designer: William M. Marsh
- Developer: Don Johnson
- Artist: Brien Miller
Components:
- One Rules book
- One Historical booklet
- Two 22″ x 34″ mounted maps
- Six counter sheets of 5/8″ die cut counters.
- One counter sheet of 1/2″ die cut counters and markers
- Four 8.5″ x 11″ player aid cards
- Two 11″ x 17: player aid cards
- Two identical 11″ x 17″ Terrain Effects Chart/Sample Unit cards
- Four 8.5″ x 11″ single-sided setup cards
- Five 8.5″ x 11″ double-sided setup cards
- One 11″ x 17″ single-sided setup card
- Twelve 11″ x 17:” double sided setup cards
- One 8.5″ x 11″ single-sided available card
- Two 8.5″ x 11″ double-sided available cards
- Two 8.5″ x 11″ Turn Record cards
- Four 8.5″ x 11″ Turn Record cards
- Nine army holding box sheets for large stack overflow
- One six-sided die
Want to learn more about this game? Check out the videos below! Note: These videos were made using the original edition.
