Monday, May 27, 2024

#14: Dune: Imperium (Mark's Top 100 2024)


Dune: Imperium
    BoardGameGeek 
    • rank: 6
    • rating: 8.4
    • published: 2020 
    • designer: Paul Dennen
    Print Status
    • in print
    Why It's On The List
    • Despite not being a particularly big fan of Dune (the books or the movies), the game manages to combine deck-building & worker placement to evoke the feel of the Dune universe in an incredibly playable format.
    Tips & Tricks:
    • One of the things I like best about the game is the ability to adapt your tactics/strategy to the character you are playing and the ever-changing board situation.
    • You don't have to win every conflict - in fact, sometimes the smartest thing you can do is let two other opponents duke it out and save your troops for a later battle. 
    • The House Hagal mechanic (an AI deck) makes sure that 2 player games have enough filled board space without complicating the game unnecessarily.
    • I've played the game at all player counts (1-4 players) and enjoyed them all.
    Extras
    • The Rise of Ix expansion has some great twists/additions to the game... highly recommended.
    • The Immortality expansion adds yet another layer of complication - but does add new ways to spend/use resources. Only for advanced players.
    • The solo design uses the House Hagal deck to create two feisty AI opponents... highly recommended as a solo game.
    • The app (available as part of the Dire Wolf games app) automates the House Hagal deck and helps walk you through set-up... as well as offering some alternate play modes.
    • I've played Dune: Imperium - Uprising a couple of times solo... it's working in the same basic space but adding some interesting changes to how the system works. (It also offers a 6 player team mode.)
    • This is the second of two Paul Dennen designs on my list. 

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