You lead a great civilization at the height of its influence, but can you save it from collapse? In Empire's End, 2-4 players battle to keep disaster at bay. Empire's End combines the intuitive and elegant mechanics of reverse bidding with engine building, long-term planning and strategic depth. The result is a fast-paced game with abundant tension and multiple challenging paths to victory.

Players start with a civilization at the height of its power. The game progresses through a series of stages that vary as you progress through the game. During the Disaster Phase, players face a common threat, such as famine, a flood, or barbarians. The player who ends the bidding must take the ramp, which destroys one of their territories.

With every disaster that strikes an empire, its people grow in wisdom and resilience. In the manner of the modern classic game "No Thanks", the resources offered by all players will ultimately accrue to the player who ultimately takes the disaster card. That player will also gain a new ability, an innovation that reflects their empire's adaptability in times of challenge.

Each turn, players move along a progression track that determines whether they face a disaster or another type of stage. Players can obtain new resources during production phases, rebuild lost territories during industry phases, and challenge each other during military phases. At the end of the progress track, the game ends and the winner is the civilization with the most victory points. Intact areas contribute to points, but innovations and military successes can provide alternative ways to win.