Dawn of Empire

Dawn of Empire is a strategic naval wargame from Compass Games covering the Spanish-American War of 1898. The game focuses on the naval struggle in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, using fast, accessible systems to give players a broad but engaging view of the conflict.

One player commands the United States, aiming to control key sea areas, blockade Spanish holdings and destroy Spain’s naval forces. The other commands Spain, trying to disrupt American sea control, protect vital waters and strike back against U.S. warships where possible.

The game is designed to keep operational and tactical details manageable, making it a good option for players who want a shorter naval wargame on an important but less commonly gamed conflict. With individual warships, area movement and victory points tied to sea control and losses, Dawn of Empire keeps the focus on deployment, timing and strategic pressure.

Contents include: a map of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, a battle board, one countersheet with 176 large 5/8″ counters, player aid cards, one rulebook, dice, and one box and lid set.