Old West Empresario (2019) Board Game

Old West Empresario is a board game that takes players back to the American West during the 19th century. In the game, players take on the role of empresarios, who were agents contracted by the Mexican government to attract settlers to the region. The game captures the essence of city building and development in the Old West, with a focus on strategic decision-making and resource management.

Game Components of Old West Empresario

Dice: Used for dice drafting, with each die being usable in multiple ways.

Tiles: Nine different types, including mines, undertakers, and other buildings, which are used for tile laying and tableau building.

Signposts: Represent the six faces of a d6 die.

Building cards: Placed under signposts and used to construct the city.

Victory point tokens: Represented by people, which are the ultimate goal.

Cardboard pieces: Sturdy, with above-average card stock.

Dice and tokens: Included for various game actions and scoring.

How To Setup Old West Empresario

To set up the game, start by placing six signposts on the table, each representing a face of a d6 die. Under each signpost, draw two buildings randomly from the reserve and place them there. Each player receives two dice, and an additional die is rolled. The first player token is determined, and any buildings not used are left on the table for the next round.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Drafting: Players select one die from the rolled dice to use in their turn.

Tile Laying: Players use the selected die to activate or place tiles in their city.

Tableau Building: Building a city by strategically placing tiles to maximize victory points.

Game Objective: The goal is to construct 15 buildings in your city, or be the first to run out of victory point tokens, or exhaust the tile supply.

Player Experience

Old West Empresario offers a engaging and strategic gameplay experience. The game’s simplicity in rules is balanced by the complexity of the tiles themselves, making each play more about strategy than learning new rules. Games typically last around 45 minutes, making it an excellent ‘one hour wonder.’

Pros

Strategic Depth: Effective tile placement is key to maximizing victory points.

Variety: Nine different types of tiles ensure the game remains interesting.

Component Quality: Sturdy cardboard pieces and nice dice.

Thematic Victory Points: Victory points are represented by people, adding a thematic touch.

Cons

Art and Design: Some tiles have greyed-out sides, causing confusion during play.

Comparison to Other Games: Less impressive than some other games in the same category, especially for those who prefer resource management over tile laying.

Personal Thoughts on Old West Empresario

Old West Empresario is an excellent choice for fans of tile laying and tableau building games. It is particularly suited for players looking for a game that combines simplicity in rules with strategic depth. While it may not appeal as strongly to those who prefer resource management mechanics, it offers a unique and engaging experience that is well worth exploring. The game’s short playtime and high replayability make it a great addition to any board game collection.

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