[Disclaimer: This is not a review. A single play could contain unusual circumstances that might not be realized until after further playthroughs. When I've played enough for an honest and fair review, you'll get one. Until then...]
Twilight Imperium.
That name strikes fear into the hearts of many.
It's sort of an enigma among board-gamers. Like any other game there are those who love it, and those who don't care for it. And then there are those who have never tried it, who look on it with wonder and probably confusion, and maybe even awe. It is arguably the most epic of all epic games, a space-civilization-simulator in which players must manage combat fleets, planetary exploration and conquest, politics, research, and diplomacy, all while pursuing secret and public goals that lead to the claim of the imperial throne. The game lasts anywhere from 4 hrs to upwards of 10-12 hours, depending on how many players, their experience level, and how many of the expansion rules you include.
Though the idea of an 8-hour game was intimidating, I'm a sucker for epic space games, and I dove in to my first experience on December 17, 2011. We were 5 brave souls that ventured into the universe, none of us having played before. We loaded up with snacks and pop and set forth in the morning, starting at about 11:15am (after a few late arrivals and a tasty breakfast) with rules explanation, and finishing around 8:00pm.
