Stats:
No. of players: 1-4
Amount of time to play: 45-90 min
Age requirements: 10+
Set-up time: 5 min

The Atlanteans expansion introduces a new faction to Imperial Settlers with some new mechanics and new cards for all the existing factions.

Imperial Settlers Atlanteans Rules Description:

The Atlanteans is the first big expansion for Imperial Settlers and the second expansion overall. If you have not tried the base game check out my overview and review of Imperial Settlers here. The rest of this post will focus on the new elements added by the Atlanteans expansion.

The biggest new mechanic this expansion adds is a technology resource. There are two types of technology tokens, basic and advanced. Basic technology tokens double the production, effect or action of the location they are on. Advanced defense tokens get you one extra defense and cannot be placed on a location that has your normal defense token. Advanced scoring tokens get you 1 VP each time the location they are placed on is activated. Each location can only have one basic token, one advanced defense token and one advanced scoring token on it

Event cards are new and trigger as soon as they are drawn. There is only one in this set but more might be coming in the future.

Here are a couple other notes on the Atlanteans faction. Be aware their faction locations sink at the end of the game. They are worth 0 VPs. Also at the start of the game they get a number of defense tokens equal to the number of players.

There are 10 new cards for the existing factions, 28 new common cards and a couple cards for solo play. Some use technology tokens as Goods to activate Actions on certain locations.

A Quick Review of the Atlanteans Expansion:

The Atlanteans expansion for Imperial Settlers adds a new faction and a few new mechanics. The new faction is unique and fun. And the new mechanics add your strategy options no matter your faction.

The components for this game are really nice. They are in-line with the other sets and everything looks great. The rules are easy to read and follow and cover the things added in the Why Can’t We Be Friends expansion in case you did not get it.

Since the Atlanteans’ locations sink and are worth no VPs and the end of the game, you need to generate as many VPs as you can during the game. Technology tokens can really help you do this. The new mechanics are added fairly seamlessly and this faction is truly unique.

The event card feels insignificant. Maybe it is only because there is one but it feels like there could be more. That might make the game more chaotic but maybe having more and the choice to use them be optional would have given them a bigger footprint.

If you enjoy Imperial Settlers, you should buy the Atlanteans expansion. It gives you one more faction to play and adds some fun mechanics.

Score and synopsis: (Click here for an explanation of these review categories.)
Strategy 4 out of 6
Luck 5 out of 6
Player Interaction 5 out of 6
Replay Value 4 out of 6
Complexity 4 out of 6
Fun 5 out of 6
Overall 5 out of 6