title image

Eight-Minute Empire

Control, strategy, conquest!

Ratings

Age

4+

Category

Board

Languages

English

Eight-Minute Empire is the ultimate area control game for players with a busy schedule. In each turn, you'll select a card from a moving track that grants you an action—like moving armies or building cities—and a resource. You must balance spreading across the map to control regions and continents while collecting sets of goods for bonus points. It's easy to learn but packed with tough decisions and finite resources.

Dinsun Expert Review

Our Expert Score

87/100

Eight-Minute Empire is a brilliant distillation of the 'area control' genre into a fast, portable package. Board games often struggle with mobile translations, but the clean digital interface and interactive tutorial make this an exception. The core mechanic—choosing a card that provides both a resource and an action—creates a constant tension between short-term expansion and long-term scoring.

As the name suggests, matches are lightning-fast, making it the perfect 'filler' game. However, don't let the speed fool you; the strategy is dense. Managing your limited coin supply is a game in itself, as overspending early can leave you powerless in the critical final turns. The AI is competent, but playing with friends (locally or online) is where the tactical nuances of blocking and regional majority really shine. It’s a must-have for any board game enthusiast who wants a deep strategy fix on the go.

Dinsun reviewed on: Wed Feb 25 2026

Features

1

Official adaptation of the hit Ryan Laukat board game

2

Interactive in-game tutorial for quick learning

3

Asynchronous and real-time online multiplayer

4

Play against AI or local Pass & Play with friends

5

Beautiful artwork and multiple language support

Tips & Walkthrough

Gameplays

Screenshot

screenshot 0screenshot 1screenshot 2screenshot 3screenshot 4screenshot 5screenshot 6screenshot 7screenshot 8screenshot 9

Q&A

The game supports 2 to 5 players in both local and online modes.

Ratings & Reviews

A Problem
Sun Sep 17 2017 SirAfrica

I purchased game and Mountains expansion and everything went fine but then when I tried to purchase one of the maps it took my money, confirmed the purchase, but then said it was invalid and did not make the map available. Press on app support and there is no clear way to reach them. Game is good but how do you reach app support to report a problem??? When there are problems reaching app support I cannot give it a 4 or 5 star rating. Game was fixed and I gave it 5 stars but after recent update it immediately crashes to desktop on my iPAD with 500mb free space running IOS 10.3.3 each time I hit play. Still hard to contact support when you hit app support. The app is again 5 stars. The game is a lot of fun. And I must say that their support response to problems has been quick and efficient. They seem genuinely concerned with producing the best product possible and you cannot ask for more

Fast & good
Sun Apr 05 2020 TheDudeAbided

While many civilization building games are marathons, this one is more like a 100 yard dash. You play cards to gain resources, which you have to balance, and choose actions from city building, raising troops, moving your troops, naval movement, destroying enemies, etc. the objective is to control regions of the board and preferably continents which you do by gaining a majority. You have a limited number of turns and curren$y to work with, and often the game is over before you know it, generally 10 minutes or so. These limitations make a quick play, but they also mean that each movie has to be thought about pretty carefully, because you don’t have time to waste. Well done!

Great for busy people
Wed Jun 19 2019 WRS15743

I like civilization games but my schedule doesn’t allow for long gaming sessions. This game is perfect for people like me who like the genre but only have time for shorter games. I’m so glad to have stumbled upon this one! This is very well designed and user friendly. The rule book is a fast and clear read, and between that and a tutorial game you’re good to go. The AI seems balanced to me and I’m enjoying playing against it. Even though the games are brief the strategy is deep enough to keep it interesting without being overbearing. The perfect balance for a sort-of casual gamer like me. I’m glad the game board allows for easy zooming, because even on a large phone the map and icons are small. But the zoom function here is well done and very helpful for people like me who wear glasses. I find the pricing fair for a game of this quality. I’m glad there are good developers like this one and am happy to support their monetization model. Thank you, developers!

Map pack issues
Sat Sep 16 2017 Pilotboy172

Good game! 5 stars. However... Prior to their map pack bundle, I purchased two of the four maps at full price. Now, with the bundle, I am not able to "complete the bundle" for the last two maps at the discounted price. I need to purchase them at full price.

Multi-player needs work.
Fri Mar 23 2018 BrChuck

This a fine, faithful adaptation of a very good board. I would easily add another two stars to my review when the following issues are addressed. Most importantly there are no time limits in an asynchronous game. This means when a player abandons a game, the game goes into limbo. I have two such games hanging as I write this post. Secondly, there does not appear to be a way to set a specific numbers of players in a multi-player game. So if I want to create a three player game, I have to be constantly watching the game lobby to start the game when the desired number of players join. I’m certain the developers will address this in a forthcoming update and I will happily revise the game’s rating at that time.

Pretty Much Perfect
Thu Mar 04 2021 ph349397

Could Acram just take over all digital board game design? The UI is insanely polished. I’ve played the game about a dozen times in 24 hours and I’m ready to take on higher AI difficulty. Edit: one thing I can’t stand about online multiplayer is that you can’t add AI players to a multiplayer game. Seems like this could be done and would make it easier for two people to play online multiplayer but not have to resort to a two player game.

Nice quick game
Sun Sep 17 2017 rktca

This is a fun, quick game. Make sure to turn off the high speed frames per second, it absolutely eats battery and I cannot see a difference. Text is usually too tiny, especially on my SE. Some of the button placement could be more convenient, and stronger indicators for when your movement is complete would be nice. E.g. Move the end turn button to the upper right where it's easier to press, and next to the indicator for remaining moves (which I didn't even notice for a while). Also make it bigger, why are the buttons so tiny? In general it seems like there is dead space on screen so I wish it could be used more efficiently. I'd have to think about how to make that happen though.

Love it, Just like board game
Sun Nov 26 2017 Fartinglsutiger

I have all the board games. This game is awesome I especially like the multiplayer. Little discombobulated about paying $5 for mountains which has negligible general effect on the game but just consider it a helping fund the developers for making an iOS version.

Some Youtube Videos found!

News found!

Eight-Minute Empire: Complete Edition review for Nintendo SwitchEight-Minute Empire: Complete Edition review for Nintendo Switch

Platform: Nintendo Switch Also on: PC Publisher: Acram Digital Developer: Acram Digital/Mobo Studio Medium: Digital Players: 1-5. Online: Yes ESRB: E10+.

Gaming Age Wed Jun 16 2021

Snag Concordia, Charterstone and other digital board games during Acram’s spring saleSnag Concordia, Charterstone and other digital board games during Acram’s spring sale

Acram's full catalogue of digital board games are enjoying some reduced prices during the developer's spring sale.

Dicebreaker Sat Jul 16 2022

Polish studio Acram Digital banned from Steam for review tamperingPolish studio Acram Digital banned from Steam for review tampering

Valve has pulled every single Acram title from its digital marketplace, and claims it will no longer be doing business with the studio.

Game Developer Thu Dec 16 2021

Stone Age video game coming from Unmatched: Digital Edition studioStone Age video game coming from Unmatched: Digital Edition studio

The developer and publisher behind Unmatched: Digital Edition – Acram Digital – has created a video game version of Stone Age.

Dicebreaker Sun Apr 16 2023

Aussie Weekly Switch eShop Deals (Week 39) Slayin’Aussie Weekly Switch eShop Deals (Week 39) Slayin’

Cardpocalypse, Disney Speedstorm, Slay the Spire.

Vooks Sat Dec 16 2023

Concordia, the game about leading a Roman dynasty, is getting a digital versionConcordia, the game about leading a Roman dynasty, is getting a digital version

Establish an ancient trading monopoly and garner influence with the gods in Concordia digital, a video game version of the empire management...

Dicebreaker Sat Jan 16 2021

Unmatched, the skirmish game featuring Medusa and King Arthur, is getting a digital versionUnmatched, the skirmish game featuring Medusa and King Arthur, is getting a digital version

The digital board game will be based on the original tabletop series that sees players taking control of famous figures from both fiction and history.

Dicebreaker Thu Sep 16 2021

You may also like