Building and governing a state, caring for the population, and forming alliances with new colonies is a significant challenge. In Hadara, two to four players take on this challenge and establish their realm over three consecutive epochs.

To do this, they must recruit individuals and, with their help, feed their population, increase income, conquer colonies, carve busts, and collect victory points. However, such specialists demand good pay, so players should also keep an eye on their gold reserves. It may also be wise to send someone into exile at times. After three epochs have been completed, the final scoring takes place. The player with the most victory points in front of them at that point wins the game.