Empire!

When your computer first tells you that you've just lost a war because you ran out of money, you understand that Empire! is not your typical action game. Year 1988, DOS, and here we're not talking about air combat or a shooter — it's a simulator for building an empire where battles are just consequences of your strategic decisions.

Empire! puts you in the role of an empire leader that you have to develop from small territory into a world power. You build factories, armies, ships, develop technologies. The goal is clear — control the world or at least be the last one standing. The game runs in turns, each turn gives you time to decide, then all forces move simultaneously. A complex economic system determines what you can even afford to build.

Playing is careful and often frustrating. A small mistake in production or unit placement costs you dozens of turns and ultimately the game. Graphics are straightforward, text menus with navigation exactly according to period customs — nothing extra, but readable enough. Almost no music, minimal sound. Everything happens in tables and a map made of squares.

Empire! belonged to that wave of computer games when simulation meant thinking instead of yelling and clicking. It wasn't the prettiest game in the catalog, but definitely one of the most challenging. Today it's viewed as a predecessor to Civilization — similar spirit, far less elegant execution.

Who plays it now? Someone who likes solving logistic puzzles and doesn't need a game animated like Disney. In the browser you can handle a few hours without trouble. But don't expect a miracle — Empire! is more of an interesting relic than great entertainment. Still, it's worth seeing how strategies were played when the monitor took two seconds to redraw.