Colonialism: Expanded 2nd Edition

About this board game

Colonialism: Expanded 2nd Edition is a 2–4-player strategy game about 19th-century imperialistic struggle, with a play time of approximately 90 minutes. Each player takes the role of a nondescript colonial power competing for influence in the unindustrialized regions of the world.

Every turn alternates between action phases and colonization phases. During action phases, players use cards to secretly bid influence in the game’s six regions, creating uncertainty about where rival powers are committing their strength.

• Action phases: Secretly bid influence in the six regions using cards.
• Colonization phases: Reveal all cards in play, resolve influence placement, and settle conflicts.
• Resource collection: Collect a region’s resources once all native influence there has been eliminated.

The amount of resources each player receives depends on their influence in the region. This makes every contest important: players must weigh their efforts across the board while contending with hidden bids and the conflicts that follow revelation.

The Expanded 2nd Edition adds six new cards, including five Upgrade cards. These additions introduce a new action to Colonialism: purchasing an Upgrade card, expanding the choices available during the struggle for influence.

At the end of the game, the player who has collected the most resources wins. With secret bidding, regional competition, conflict, and a direct race for resources, Colonialism: Expanded 2nd Edition presents a focused contest for control among competing colonial powers.