Colorado County (1998) Board Game

Colorado County is a board game set in the American West, released in in 1998. Designed by Sabine Stephan and Dirk Westphal, the game challenges players to build up their own counties by acquiring land, constructing buildings, and attracting settlers. The game’s artwork by Schmidt Spiele brings the theme of the American West to life.

Game Components of Colorado County

Game board

Land tiles

Building tiles

Settler meeples

Money tokens

Event cards

Rulebook

How To Setup Colorado County

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Shuffle the land tiles and place them face down.

Shuffle the building tiles and place them in a separate stack.

Each player receives a starting amount of money and settler meeples.

Determine the starting player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Players take turns auctioning off land tiles, building structures, and attracting settlers to their counties. The goal is to strategically develop your county to earn the most points by the end of the game. The game incorporates auction/bidding, simultaneous action selection, and tile placement mechanics.

Player Experience

Pros:

Engaging theme of building up a county in the American West

Strategic depth in deciding where to place buildings and attract settlers

Balanced mix of luck and skill in the auction and tile placement mechanics

Cons:

Limited player interaction outside of auctions

Steep learning curve for new players

Game can feel repetitive after multiple plays

Personal Thoughts on Colorado County

Colorado County offers an immersive experience in the American West, allowing players to feel like pioneers establishing their own territories. The game’s components are of good quality, and the artwork enhances the thematic elements. However, the game may not appeal to everyone due to its complexity and lack of player interaction.

In terms of pricing and availability, Colorado County can be found in both used and new condition, with prices varying depending on the edition. For those looking for alternatives or similar games, titles like “Carson City” and “Western Legends” offer similar Western-themed gameplay experiences.

Ultimately, whether Colorado County is worth your time depends on your preference for strategic board games with a historical theme. It may be best suited for players who enjoy deep strategy and are willing to invest time in learning the game’s mechanics. On the other hand, casual gamers or those seeking more interactive gameplay may want to skip this title.

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