Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North is a new, standalone card game in the established Imperial Settlers universe, with players heading to the far north where three different factions live: Scotsmen, Inuits, and Vikings. Take on the role of leader, and make your faction into the best empire in the world!
Choosing the faction is only the first step, though, as each faction can be played using one of the two separate and unique decks. Yes, in the base game, players will find six pre-constructed decks ready to use straight out of the box. Each one offers a completely different gameplay style!
Develop your economy, deflect your opponent, and fight for dominance in the north. Learn new mechanisms, and experience a unique style of Imperial Settlers. Will you be able to create the most successful civilization in Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North?
- great replayability and scenarios
- lots of civilizations
- can be heavy to learn
- solo mode requires some setup
- Civilizational growth with multiple routes
- Tableau-building empire management
- Scenario-driven with civic focus
- 51st State
- Urania
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- scenario-driven play — play across different setups with replayability
- tableau-building — build up civilizations with varied decks/choices
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's always your turn
- one of the best solo deck builders you can get
- this is one of the most impressive solo titles from GMT
- this is such a fantastic puzzle
- a masterpiece of minimalism
- it's such a satisfying card play
References (from this video)
- variety of factions
- deep engine interactions
- learning curve for asymmetry
- takes longer to play
- engine-building and asymmetric factions
- Northern empires and trade networks
- tableau/engine-building with faction asymmetry
- Gaia Project
- Gauntlet of Empires
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Asymmetric play — Each faction has its own strengths and scoring paths.
- engine-building — Asymmetric factions develop unique engines for scoring and actions.
- set collection — Gather resources and cards to fulfill scoring opportunities.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- “it's another episode of board games and brew where we don't have brew”
- “we launched our merch store”
- “Arc Nova is a tableau builder”
- “it's been chaos because everybody is trying to outsmart everybody”
- “159 games in a week or 10 days”
References (from this video)
- cute, approachable visuals
- lots of interaction between factions
- expansion options broaden play
- some factions feel more powerful than others early on
- civic development with multiple factions
- ancient civilizations
- asymmetric engine-building with accessible play
- Caverna
- Gaia Project
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- multi-faction engine-building — each faction acts differently with distinct powers and paths to victory
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's board game adjacent let's just say it's kind of like an activity where you've got a big map on the table and you're trying to solve crimes
- i really really like tapestry
- it's simple but fun
- the fan track keeps you relevant when you're behind
- it's a bundle of fun
- i love calico
- radlands is a fantastic two-player card dueling lane fighter
References (from this video)
- accessible civ-building
- quick play
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area-control — Civilization-building with area control mechanics
- resource_management — Manage resources to advance civilizations
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's CMon, it's IDW and it's a miniatures game
- I really appreciate daniel and Nicolas taking the time to talk with me
- remember you're playing Flugelschlagen
References (from this video)
- interesting faction combos; scalable play
- teaching complexity for new players
- conquest and tableau-building
- fantasy empire-building across islands
- asymmetric factions with deck-building
- 51st State
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- asymmetric faction decks — each faction has unique abilities and starting conditions
- deck-building / tableau — factions choose actions from a shared pool via card draws
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Number 50 for me is a Vital Lerta game. A big cool thematic experience about what happens after a heist. This is Escape Plan.
- Invincible is my number 50.
- San Juan's one of my favorites; I love how those buildings synergize with crops and selling them.
- Spectral is one of those deduction games where you're just trying to avoid the curse and getting gems out there.
- This is one of those classic polyomino games. My favorite in the genre. This is Baron Park.
- Twilight Inscription is infinitely expandable.
- Adrenaline is a bit of everything: euro, shooter vibe, and tense last-hits moments.
- Robinson Crusoe—cooperative survival with fantastic stories.
References (from this video)
- Rich engine-building depth
- Multiple factions provide variety
- Can be heavy for newcomers
- Direct interaction varies
- engine-building and tableau construction
- civilization-building in a nordic theme
- multi-faction empire-building
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area control via tokens — control of hexes yields diminishing returns
- engine-building via cards — cards grant resources, actions, and points
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- we're here today again for another installment of who plays it better
- please subscribe we hope to see you again soon
References (from this video)
- Adorable art style
- Engine building mechanics
- Empire Building
- Adorable Art
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- If Jamie wins a game the first time we play it is an asterisk win if I win a game the first time we play it it is not an asterisk win
- I absolutely love this game
- We understand why everyone loves this game, in our playthroughs it just did not work for us
- Instant love for me
- Jason dominated our January
- He's an undercover competitive person and he's just really good at games
- We are even stevens
- If one of us have no chance of winning and I'm hell-bent on making sure Jamie doesn't win
- You should see us play ping pong
- I feel like you were surprised that I liked this game
References (from this video)
- strong solo support in North expansion
- familiar engine design
- some players find it repetitive
- empire building and resource management
- northern expansion of the Imperial Settlers universe
- engine-building with scenario variety
- Concordia
- Great Western Trail
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- engine-building — crafting efficient actions across the empire
- solo campaign potential — supports solo play with expansion content
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- we together are the horsemen of the apocalypse
- the solo mode is the same rules you're just using one bot
- Concordia solitaire is so good you can play it with any map and any expansion
- the expansion for Star Wars Outer Rim tweaked the solo mode nicely
- Baseball Highlights 2045 I freaking love baseball
- Final Girl is ultimately going to be the more palatable one
- I love root solo; it's a bear but worth it
References (from this video)
- Cute art with adorable factions
- Each faction plays differently
- Character-driven gameplay
- Expansion factions available (Japan, Rome)
- Jeff rarely wins due to faction balance
- Empire building, exploration
- Multiple factions and cultures
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Card Play — Lay down cards to build engines
- engine building — Build card engines for each faction
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- These go to 11 - just like in Spinal Tap
- I literally started this video by saying everything will be cute and animal related, and the first one is murder war counts
- You're basically Bilbo Baggins trying to steal Smaug's treasures
- The only reason this game is on your list is because you always win
- It's like clue but cooler and more dynamic
- I love space... love space theme games... any space related games I'm in love with
- I have Disney tattoos all over my arms
- 1v1 all day, give me that
- It is uncanny how lucky Jamie is
- Mansions of Madness is so good like I love it
- Jaws of the Lion was a great compromise where Gloomhaven is super heavy
References (from this video)
- lovely engine builder
- no AI maintenance; you take turns and solve puzzles
- rule depth can be intimidating; solo learning curve is notable
- engine-building with tableau and island civilizations
- 51st State
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- engine-building — turn-based engine-building with worker tokens and island conquests
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's one of the most beloved solo board games out there
- this is a wonderful engine builder
- a game that you can take anywhere
- the rule book was perfect in my opinion
- one hell of a title by chip theory games