- BGG rank
- BGG #8,063
- BGG rating
- 7.7
Downfall of the Third Reich
- 2–3 players
- 150–240 min
- Complexity 2.8/5
- 2022
- BGG rank
- BGG #7,048
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Downfall of Empires
2022
Rules assistance for Downfall of Empires
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 120–180 min
- 14+
- Complexity 2.7/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Downfall of Empires
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Downfall of Empires is a board game released in 2022 for 2–4 players, 120–180 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Victor Catala and its main mechanics are Simulation and Action Points.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,909
- BGG rating
- 7.6
The Lamps are Going Out: World War I
- 2–4 players
- 180–240 min
- Complexity 2.7/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #8,385
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Grand Illusion: Mirage of Glory, 1914
- 1–2 players
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 2004
- BGG rank
- BGG #416
- BGG rating
- 7.8
Nemo's War (Second Edition)
- 1–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.3/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #741
- BGG rating
- 7.8
Star Trek: Ascendancy
- 3 players
- 180 min
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #919
- BGG rating
- 8.3
Empire of the Sun: The Pacific War 1941-1945
- 1–2 players
- 360 min
- Complexity 4.4/5
- 2005
- BGG rank
- BGG #991
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Wallenstein
- 3–5 players
- 150 min
- Complexity 3.3/5
- 2002
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,180
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear! – Russia 1941-42
- 1–4 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2008
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,413
- BGG rating
- 8.6
Europa Universalis: The Price of Power
- 1–4 players
- 90–300 min
- Complexity 4.7/5
- 2023
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,491
- BGG rating
- 7.8
Pavlov's House
- 1–3 players
- 60–75 min
- Complexity 2.8/5
- 2018
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,685
- BGG rating
- 7.5
UBOOT: The Board Game
- 1–4 players
- 30–120 min
- Complexity 4.2/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,715
- BGG rating
- 7.7
V-Sabotage
- 1–4 players
- 30–180 min
- Complexity 2.7/5
- 2016
About the game
Downfall of Empires is an army level World War I strategy simulation wargame designed with the goal of creating a fluid, historical and fast game. This is a game with only 4 pages of rules that works perfectly as an introductory wargame, lasts 18 turns, can be played from 2 to 4 players (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Allies and Russia) and can be completed in less than 3 hours. Each turn, each player has 2 or 3 actions (depending on which side they control) that they can use to move or attack with their armies, build trenches, conduct diplomacy with non-aligned countries, reinforce their armies or secretly develop technologies. At the end of the game someone will win with most victory points obtained by controlling key areas on the map. The German and Franco-British Powers have three actions per turn. The Russian and Austro-Hungarian Powers have two actions per turn. Available actions are: • Recruit: Create new units or reinforce reduced units to full strength • Activation: Move units and attack • Research: Develop new technologies. • Entrench: Build trenches in an area. • Diplomacy: Increase markers on the political track to persuade neutral countries to join the war. • Missions: Create Air missions and Tank missions to help in attacks. With the exception of Activation, actions can only be played once per turn. The Recruit action can only be played as the first action. Conquering enemy cities earns Victory Points, at the end of the game the side/player with most Victory points is the winner.
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- (Self-Published)
- Doit Games
- Shakos
- Banner Of War
Questions and answers
Downfall of Empires supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Downfall of Empires is 120–180 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Downfall of Empires for ages 14 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Downfall of Empires has a complexity rating of 2.7 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Downfall of Empires belongs to these categories: Wargame and World War I. Its main mechanics are Simulation and Action Points. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Downfall of Empires are: Victor Catala. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Downfall of Empires as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.