[3] Players move their various units (including explorers, colonists, and soldiers) through a blacked-out world, uncovering mountains, plains, and rivers.

Lastly, players must train armies with which to conquer the other colonists and eventually proclaim independence from their mother country.

A reviewer for Next Generation judged that while Conquest of the New World is not as enthralling or addictive as its competitors Civilization II or Sid Meier's Colonization, and is too lacking in flair and style to appeal to the casual player, it has a distinctive simplicity and a need for forethought which would make it enjoyable for hardcore strategy fans.

[6] In contradiction, Trent Ward of GameSpot argued that Conquest of the New World is much less dry than other historical simulations.

He commented that the battles are tactically deep while refreshingly short, and that features such as the ability to name landmarks and networked multiplayer make the game generally outstanding.