Before the First Emperor
A board game by Terry Cheung
1-5 Players 90-150 minutes Unknown
Modular Board, Solo / Solitaire Game, Worker Placement, Different Worker Types
Ancient, City Building, Civilization
View onBoardGameGeek
Friends and Communities with Before the First Emperor
Description
Imagine stepping back to the dawn of Chinese civilization and watching your fledgling settlement grow from a handful of huts into a thriving city before the first emperor ever set foot on the land. In Before the First Emperor you and up to four friends (or just you, if you fancy a solo challenge) take on the role of early builders, placing a quirky mix of workers—farmers, artisans, scholars—to claim resources, erect structures and shape the landscape on a modular board that shifts every game. The rules are so quick to learn you’ll be rolling dice and laying tiles before the tea even cools, yet the decisions feel weighty enough to keep you hooked for 90‑150 minutes of strategic fun. Designer Terry Cheung packed this 2023 release with the satisfying click of worker placement, the thrill of expanding your own ancient city, and enough replay variety to make each session feel fresh. It’s a breezy yet deep dive into civilization‑building that anyone can jump into and love.
Similar Board Games
Imperial Settlers
1-4 Players
45-90 minutes
Medium
Roll Through the Ages
The Bronze Age
1-4 Players
30-45 minutes
Low
Clash of Cultures
Monumental Edition
2-4 Players
180-240 minutes
High
Atlantis Rising (Second Edition)
1-7 / 1-6 Players
60-120 minutes
Low
Clash of Cultures
2-4 Players
180-240 minutes
High
Frostpunk
The Board Game
1-4 / 1-2 Players
120-150 minutes
High
Wayfarers of the South Tigris
1-4 / 1-3 Players
60-90 minutes
High
Cyclades
Legendary Edition
2-6 / 3-6 Players
60-90 minutes
Medium
Sankoré
The Pride of Mansa Musa
1-4 Players
150-180 minutes
High
Propolis
1-4 Players
15-30 minutes
Low
