Why I picked the game
Having joined a board game group recommended by the mental health charity I was seeing at the time, I rediscovered my love for board games, but didn't have a huge collection myself. Having exhaust their limited amount of racing type games which I owned, I went to look for something a little bit different. Then I stumbled across Colt Express, played on 3D board, set in the Wild West about bandits robbing a train. This intrigued me and I had to buy it, and after playing it with my boarding group it soon became one of my favourites.
About the game
The creation of Christophe Raimbault, Colt Express is set at the culmination of the 19th century upon the Union Pacific express in New Mexico. You play as one of six bandits trying to steal as much loot as you can, specially the strong box holding the payroll of the nice valley coal company, whilst avoiding Marshall Samuel ford. You have 5 rounds to plot against your fellow bandits, laying different action cards to try and obtain as much loot as you can and foil the other bandits.
The characters
Belle - Disguised as a saloon girl, she uses her beauty to get the upper hand on her opponents, with a passive special ability she's perfectly suited for less strategic player or players new to the game.
Cheyenne - Looking innocent is her game which makes her an excellent pickpocket, for the sneaky game player, she lets everyone else do the work and takes advantage after.
Django and Tuco -The gun aficionados of the game, they let their pistols do the talking - perfect for the aggressive game player.
Doc – The most cunning of players - doc uses his wits to his advantage by giving you extra options to get the better of the other players. The perfect character for the player who makes a slow start and wants to make a comeback.
Ghost – It’s hard to stop what you can’t see and ghosts’ stealth is the perfect advantage for the strategic game player. He’s my personal favourite.
Gameplay
You have 5 rounds to try and loot as much as you can via purses jewels and strong boxes. Marshall Samuel Ford will do what it takes to protect the passengers as you loot, shoot, punch and transition your way to get to the upper hand on your fellow bandits. Colt Express is played by playing action cards in turns, based on the train station cards in a Schemin’! Phase. Once all cards are down you then do their actions in the Stealin’! Phase, meaning you may have to change your plans on the spot if others have effected your game.
Variants
In Colt Express there are three variants you can play. Basic, advanced and expert. The basic game is a good chance to learn the gameplay without having to think about the special abilities of your character. This a good way to start for the first couple of times you play.
The advanced rules brings characters special abilities into play. It also brings train stations effects to the end of each round, giving players more things to think about and more excitement to the game.
The expert variant is for the strategic game player and will make it harder for you to get the cards you want in your hand. This can also be played with some players using the advanced rules, and some the expert rules, creating 2 difficulties in the same game which is good for mixed ability groups.
There are also specials rules if you’re only playing as two or three players, allowing you to play as multiple characters at the same time, this allows the same hectic gameplay when you have less players.
My review
Artwork - Designed by Jordi Valbuena, Cédric Lefebvre and Ian Parovel, Colt Express is strikingly designed from each Individually created character, 6 bespoke train cars with locomotive, scenery pieces and meeple style playing pieces. It’s a very immersive experience.
Complexity - At first, with the different action and round play station cards to be played, it can look a little bit confusing. But once you’ve played a few rounds it is quite easy to get into the flow. Once you get the hang of it, the hardest part will be moving your bandit meeple for those who have bigger hands.
Replayability - With each game lasting around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the amount of players, you can quite happily play this game two or three times in one sitting. Also, with the six different characters to play as and different variants, it gives you opportunities to play different games, using different techniques to win.
Player interaction - Being able to play cards against your fellow players, the quick thinking nature of the game and the choices of who you play against, this is a brilliant game for interacting with your fellow players. My group of board gamers particularly likes this as it is good for interrupting my strategic plan. Not that I am a competitive player, I just like to win.
Component quality - The locomotive and train cars have to be assembled when you first open the game, the instructions supplied make this easy to do, and gives you a sturdy game play area. The wooden player pieces are of strong design - the only thing letting down the game is the flimsiness of the internal storage box.
Comeback ability - This game is very good for keeping everyone in play, with Bullet cards taking up your hand, another plays actions affecting your own - this is a very easy game to come back from. Those who do well early on will likely also become targets later on.
Family game – My nephew loves playing cards against my niece (and I do against my sister)
Board gamers group - It is quick to explain, game play within an hour, good strategic elements, visually pleasing and everyone stays competitive throughout the game.
Improvements that could be made
· I would like there to be more turns in each round
· Although the player pieces are well made, I would have like unique looking pieces
· Sometimes you can get stuck with multiple rounds without being able to loot. A 3rd looting card would be useful.
· A solo mode
What I enjoyed most
· The 3D game board and immersive experience
· Different player abilities
· Easy to read instruction booklet
· Different levels of play
· Comeback ability of the game
My final thoughts
Colt Express is a very well designed game which keeps each player in play thought, and can be replayed again and again.
