In Inca Empire, each player is an "Apu," or leader of one of the four regions ("suyus"). Your job as an Apu is to increase your status in the eyes of the divine emperor ("Sapa Inca") by doing the best job of expanding and improving the empire. Each Apu begins with the manpower of their region. They build roads and conquer neighboring regions, increasing the manpower and resources available to them. Apus are rewarded for each new region they add to the empire and for improvements such as terraces, garrisons, cities, and temples.

The player who has the most victory points (VP) at the moment Pizarro arrives at the Inca capital of Cuzco wins the game.