Imperium: Empires in Conflict – Worlds in the Balance (1977)

About this game

"Imperium" is a 2-player wargame of space empire conflict set in 22nd Century AD, and shortly after release, retconned into the history of the "Traveller" role playing game. It simulates the clash between Earth (Terra) and an alien civilization, represented in the form of a widespread Empire (the Ziru Sirka). Both sides have a variety of star-ships and ground forces to choose from, and the game is notable for how the two sides are asymmetrical: their forces aren't identical and their economies work differently. Movement takes place via 'jumps' from one star to the next, and conflict is resolved at these 'points'. There are two types of star-ship weaponry, short-range beam factors, and chiefly long-range missile factors also used for planetary bombardment. Reimplemented as: Imperium: 3rd Millennium

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 2 players — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 2.6/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.