Empire — archived product artwork
Original product artwork supplied with Battleward’s review archive. Artwork belongs to its respective rights holder; shown for identification and review. Copyright & Trademarks

Review commentary

"Empire" is a set of rules for Napoleonic Era miniatures wargames, first published in 1975. It offers general rules for enacting any battle from this period, including aspects like leader ratings, troop types, frontage, range, and maneuverability. Over the years, multiple editions have added new rules and concepts, such as "Telescoping Time" and tactical reactions. Notably, "Empire" was considered the dominant miniatures wargaming rules system during the 1980s, influencing both historical and non-historical game designs. According to some folks the best version was Empire III, while some consider Empire IV to be the ultimate. Ultimately, Empire set standards that even today are still unmatched, and yet today’s Napoleonic miniatures game designs are more focused on quick and easier play. Although the game rules are out of print, some sellers have Empire rules sets they're willing to sell, but the pricing could be prohibitive.

Sources and review basis

From the original Battleward Games page, with spelling and presentation edits. Firsthand memories are retained where supplied. These are short editorial impressions, not claims that every game received a personal playtest. Edition details, availability, and links may have changed since the original review; consult the linked publisher or product information before purchasing.