Manhattan Project: Energy Empire includes the complete original game, the Cold War expansion, the new UN Envoys expansion, and additional content in a single edition.

Set in the latter half of the 20th century, players take control of nations striving for influence and power. By acquiring resources, constructing buildings, and utilizing energy sources, they develop their nation’s industry, commerce, and government.

The central challenge of Energy Empire is not warfare, but the global consequences of industrialization and pollution. Many actions generate pollution, creating environmental pressures that can affect the course of the game. Scientific advancements can help mitigate these effects and assist in preventing global crises.

The game combines worker placement, tableau-building, and resource management mechanics. On each turn, players choose either to Work or Generate. During a Work turn, a player places a worker on the main board and activates cards in their tableau using workers and energy. Energy can also be spent to use occupied spaces, ensuring that action spaces are never completely blocked.

During a Generate turn, players replenish their energy supply by rolling energy dice representing nuclear power, coal, oil, solar energy, and other energy sources.

The reverse side of the game board allows the base game and expansion content to be integrated seamlessly into one larger experience. The new expansion material included in this edition has not been released separately and is not available on its own.