Dune: Imperium

A worker placement/resource management/deck builder game based on the new DUNE movie. This is easily a top ten game for me now. It just has that perfect balance of depth and playability. Games run pretty short (an hour…not 20 minutes), set up doesn’t take too long and it’s pretty easy to teach. The game comes with a deck of cards (or, use the free app) for solo/2 player games but we play two player all the time WITHOUT the AI deck. I really don’t think it’s needed. It may add a bit of uncertainty and/or excitement if that’s what you feel might be missing from the 2 player experience but for us, the pacing, board space selection…it’s good enough. Each player chooses a character (1 of 8) from the DUNE universe. Each has an ability that’s usually ongoing but then another that can only be activated when you play a certain card. Players start with the same 10 card deck that they randomize and draw five from. These cards have special markings on them that unlock spots in the board for you to place an agent (meeple) on. Card doesn’t show an orange triangle? Then you can’t put an agent on any of the orange triangle spaces. Each of the spots grants resources and/or some minor action like unlocking your third agent (you start with only two). To me, this is all very reminiscent of Lords of Waterdeep - one of the best games ever made, IMO. Cards may also have additional bonuses like drawing a card, etc. that happen in addition to allowing you to place an agent. The nitty gritty however, is in the THIRD spot of the cards that can only be used when you pass for the rest of the round and “reveal” what’s left in your hand. These bonuses might be income (to buy additional cards in the market place - the deck building aspect of the game), combat strength or a combination of other things. Do you use a card to place an agent or do you save it because it will grant combat strength when you reveal? Tough choices! At the end of the round comes the “combat” which is basically just how many troops (cubes) you’ve committed to the current combat round, plus those additional combat strength cards plus special, “Intrigue” cards you can play (they are earned from spots on the board) for that extra, “ah HA!” Moment. …and so much more. You have influence tracks that you need to move up on in the hopes of acquiring victory points…but wait! You need Spice first! No! You can’t get the Spice without paying Water…and you don’t have enough water. No no no!!!! Your opponent just went to the spot you wanted!!! This is a great game and I’m glad it didn’t just turn out to be a money grab coasting off of the hype/popularity of the new movie. An absolute must buy in this veteran board gamer’s opinion.

Love this game. Rules are not overwhelming. Choices are plenty and meaningful. The game is really balanced and plays well at 1, 2, or 3. While I am a Sci-Fan fan (books, movies) I dont really care about the Dune theme one way or the other. The game is fun and crunchy.

As a Dune fan, I really enjoy this game. As a frequent board-game player, I really enjoy this game. Its interesting, complex, and loaded with flavor. Cant recommend enough, especially for hardcore Dune fans.

Let me just start off with my negative is the sheer mehness of several of the faction leaders. Ones like Paul, very useful but a couple of others are their big bonus is a one time thing that just is flat overall and generally unimpressive and feels awfully weak. Beyond that, you are what you buy concept is fantastic. Water is important but not the end all be all. Many ways to Victory, combat surprisingly is a very secondary way of winning. The group consensus was that the combat wasnt important at all (except i will argue for 3 missions in the second round and our games have never lasted until the 3rd combat tier, anyways) and just something to do to get some stuff. What is important was the Faction side of it for the easy 4 VP then getting your 1-3 alliances you can do for more victory points. With the Drawing power of several locations being the best way to win when combo with the right card from the Market. So yes typical flaws of the deck building, but a very well done game overall that makes worker placement games actually enjoyable in this version.

It was exactly what my son-in-law wanted

This is a worker placement/engine building/deck building game that incorporates the story and themes from Frank Herberts Dune novel. It plays well, has a lot of variety of play, and is pretty captivating. We played once through to learn the rules. Then played through 2 more times after looking up some questions we had that werent quite clear in the rule book. It is a 3-4 player game with rules for solo and 2 player that include card generated rivals to bring to 3 player. We are 2 players and found that the 3rd card generated rival added the right amount of tension and strategic resistance to make the game very interesting. As with most games, the rule book could use an index and a bit better organization, but it is reasonably complete with only a one page errata available online. If I was rating this game on boardgamegeek.com, I would give it an 8. There is plenty of room for expansions and I hope the expansions include more deck cards, combat cards, and leader cards.

This hits all the right buttons for me. Smooth blend of deck building, worker placement, and combat.

Awesome design, so much fun!

One of my favorite of 2020. Such a fantastic game. I love everything about it. I just want to keep playing this one. Great to play solo and with up to 3 players. Havent tried it at 4 players yet.

Im a big fan of Dune saga and cant wait for the movie, I have the movie from the 80s and scifi channels mini series, play the video game Dune 2000, and now table tip board game is fun to play