Empire of the Sun 5th Printing

From the Publisher:

Empire of the Sun (EOTS), uses a variant of my card driven system. The game has one map that covers the Pacific Theater of operations from India to Hawaii, and from the Aleutians to Australia. EOTS is the first card driven game to use hexes, which facilitates calculating movement and aircraft ranges. Each game turn covers 4 months (three turns per year) with a special December 41 (special two card) game turn, for a total of 12 game turns for the campaign.

The game is at the strategic level using naval units built around a capital ship class (e.g., CV Wasp, BB Washington, etc.), air units at the Air Force/ Air Flotilla/ Air Division level, and most ground units are Corps/ Armies although there are a host of specialized units at the division and below level. The game has 165 cards divided into an Allied and a Japanese deck.

The game uses a two tiered combat system with air-naval combat preceding ground combat. The system has players roll for combat efficiency, which is a strength multiplier from .5 to 2. This value multiplied by the unit strengths is the number of hits the enemy takes in combat, with some special conditions based on number of CVs present and the like.

As far as game play is concerned, China is abstracted using a track whereby the play of certain events and Chinese offensives puts pressure on the Allies to support this theater with resources or see it fall and hurt Allied morale. This is balanced against the fact that Japanese land replacements come from this theater, so the more they draw it down for conflict in other locations, the more likely China will survive.

Northern India and Burma are active theaters of operation where the majority of the continuous ground warfare in the game occurs. If the Japanese can successfully occupy Northern India, they can drive this nation and its Commonwealth units out of the war.

Australia can also be knocked out of the war, although it is hard to keep it out permanently.

Then of course there is the famous island campaigns with the US driving across the Pacific to knock Japan out of the war.

COMPONENTS

• 280 9/16" counters and 88 5/8" counters
• Two decks of Strategy Cards (82 Japanese and 83 Allied)
• One 22"x34" MOUNTED Mapsheet
• 2 x Player Aid Cards (11"x17" & 8.5"x11")
• Rules Booklet
• One ten-sided die

Command the entire Pacific Theater in Empire of the Sun (5th Printing), the definitive strategic-level World War II wargame from GMT Games. Masterfully designed by legendary wargame creator Mark Herman, this critically acclaimed Card-Driven Game (CDG) is built for 1 to 2 players with an overarching playing time spanning 60 to 360 minutes.

The 5th Printing brings refined rules, updated card text, and a pristine mounted map to your gaming table. Balancing high-stakes historical events with operational flexibility, players orchestrate macro-level offensives, manage critical air-sea supply lines, and engage in tense political brinkmanship from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo. Whether deploying carrier strike groups or managing vast ground forces, Empire of the Sun delivers a gripping, historically authentic simulation of the war in the Pacific. It stands as an absolute masterpiece for serious board gaming grognards and strategy enthusiasts alike.

The Definitive Strategic Simulation of the Pacific War

Few tabletop wargames command the respect and awe of Empire of the Sun. Published by GMT Games, this monumental design by Mark Herman offers an unparalleled strategic overview of the Pacific Theater during World War II (1941–1945). Rather than zooming into isolated battles, the game places players in the supreme command centers of the Allied or Japanese forces. The eagerly awaited 5th Printing incorporates years of community feedback, erring out minor rule ambiguities and updating player aid cards to streamline one of the most intellectually rewarding experiences in hobby wargaming.

Core Gameplay and Masterful Card-Driven Mechanics

At its absolute foundation, Empire of the Sun is a Card-Driven Game (CDG), utilizing unique historical strategy decks for both factions. However, it takes the genre to a higher operational level than classic card-driven titles. Cards are spent either to trigger a major historical event (like the Doolittle Raid or the introduction of the B-29 bombers) or to gain Operational Points.

These points allow players to activate headquarters, construct massive lines of communication, and launch sweeping multi-axis offensives involving army, navy, and air forces simultaneously. Ground combat, carrier duels, and land-based air attrition are integrated into a unified combat system resolved through realistic, historical interservice rivalries, intelligence checks, and logistics constraints.

The Interplay of Offensives and Intelligence

What truly separates Empire of the Sun from standard hex-and-counter wargames is its handling of military intelligence and asymmetric operations. The opening phase of the standard campaign showcases the devastating force of the historical Japanese offensive. Allied players must desperately work to break Axis codes, intercept naval pathways, and establish defensible perimeters across a sprawling single map based on a 1942 equal-area projection of the entire theater. The risk-versus-reward tension of overextending supply lines while launching a surprise counter-offensive across thousands of miles of open ocean keeps players fiercely engaged.

Scenarios, Solo Play, and High Replayability

While a full 12-turn campaign is a deep, multi-hour investment, the game features brilliant annual scenarios (1942, 1943, and 1944) consisting of just three turns each. These competitive scenarios can be completely packed up and finished in under two hours, making tournament play and weeknight sessions highly viable.

Furthermore, this 5th printing leans heavily on its highly advanced card-driven solo bot system. This allows lone-wolf strategists to square off against a brilliantly modeled AI opponent that reacts dynamically to territorial changes, creating endless hours of single-player replayability.

BOARDGAMEGENERAL ADVICE

At Boardgamegeneral, we consider Empire of the Sun to be on the Mount Rushmore of strategic wargames. However, we want to give you our direct, unvarnished staff opinion: with a BoardGameGeek complexity rating of 4.22 out of 5, this game is a mountain to climb. It is strictly suited for veteran wargamers or highly dedicated intermediate players ready for a deep strategic challenge.

If you have played and loved card-driven grand strategy titles like For the People, Paths of Glory, or Twilight Struggle, you will appreciate the fundamental card engine, though this title adds significantly more operational maneuvering and supply network tracing.

The primary strength of this game is its macro-level scope. Watching an entire theater-wide offensive come together over hours of careful planning is an unparalleled tabletop high. The 5th Printing’s mounted map and component upgrades are absolutely beautiful. The potential drawback is a notorious learning curve; the opening moves of the 1942 campaign can feel utterly overwhelming to a new player. We highly suggest learning the game via the smaller, focused South Pacific tutorial scenario included in the box.

Verdict: A deeply complex, historically brilliant masterpiece. If you want the ultimate strategic simulation of the Pacific War, this is the gold standard.