Rise of the Empire is a meta-expansion that includes a completely new layer to Imperial Settlers by introducing an open-world campaign setting. From game to game, players' empires will forge ahead, reaching new eras, goals, technologies, discoveries, and provinces. (You don't need to play the campaign in a set group of co-players as each empire can create its own pace and represent different stages of advancement.)

This meta-expansion includes 220 new cards split into three types: Provinces, Goals & Achievements, and Technologies & Discoveries. Plus Imperial Settlers: Rise of the Empire shortens gameplay from 5 to 4 rounds.