Gold West (2015) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Gold West is a board game designed by Vincent Dutrait and Adam P. McIver, and was released in in 2015. The game is set in the American West during the gold rush era, where players take on the roles of prospectors looking to strike it rich by mining for gold and building up their territories.

Game Components of Gold West

Player boards

Resource tokens (wood, stone, and others)

Camp and settlement tiles

Contract cards

Endgame scoring condition tiles

Terrain tiles

Tracking tokens

How To Setup Gold West

To set up *Gold West*, each player receives a player board and starts with a set of initial resources. The main board is populated with terrain tiles, contract cards, and endgame scoring condition tiles. Players place their tracking tokens on the respective tracks on the board. The resource generator track on each player board is initialized according to the game’s rules.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Resource Generation: Players activate their resource generator at the beginning of their turn, picking up resources and moving them along a track, dropping one resource in each bin until they move off the board.

Resource Management: Players must place all gained resources in one of the four bins on their player board, gaining points based on the bin chosen.

Building: Players can build camps or settlements using the resources, each requiring specific combinations (e.g., 1 wood/1 stone for a camp).

Contracts: Fulfill contract cards using resources.

Tracks: Advance on three tracks to gain points.

Endgame Scoring: Grab endgame scoring conditions and score points for building camps/settlements on the most terrain types.

Objective: Win by combining points from endgame objectives, track advancements, and terrain control.

Player Experience

Playing *Gold West* feels like navigating a complex yet streamlined resource engine. The game is designed to be played within an hour, making it more accessible than its spiritual progenitor, *Terra Mystica*. Players must balance resource generation, building, and fulfilling contracts while aiming to score points through various tracks and endgame conditions. The game requires strategic planning and timely decision-making.

Pros

Multiple Paths to Victory: Offers various ways to score points, keeping the game engaging.

Streamlined Gameplay: Designed for a 1-hour playtime, making it more approachable.

Balanced Mechanisms: A delicate balance of resource management and area control.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful planning and resource optimization.

Cons

Comparisons to Terra Mystica: Some players might find it lacking the depth and complexity of *Terra Mystica*.

Resource Waste: Unused resources are wasted, adding a layer of pressure to optimize each turn.

Limited Interaction: Low player interaction might not appeal to all players.

Personal Thoughts on Gold West

*Gold West* is ideal for fans of mid-weight euro games who enjoy resource management and area control without the lengthy gameplay of more complex titles. It is a good choice for those looking for a game that captures some of the essence of *Terra Mystica* but in a more condensed and accessible format. However, players seeking a highly interactive or extremely complex game might find *Gold West* too straightforward or lacking in depth.

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