I must confess: I teatered around the outskirts of joining the Great Western Trail hype train for the first edition. Much to the (assumed) discust of my gaming group. A board game enthusiast who hasn’t played a modern classic? How do I even call myself a gamer. But fear not, redemption has arrived in the form of the second edition.
Let me just say, the hype trail did indeed deliver on it's promise. I’ve now played this game a handful of times and I’m hooked. The engine-building, the resource management, the cattle herding (yes, really) – it all comes together in a beautifully balanced package. The fact that I've managed to pull off three consecutive wins may be swaying my judgement, true. Which has unfortunately turned my partner into a quivering mass of defeated gamer. Oops. But I am officially on board.
Can I think of any negatives? Hmm, the game is a table hog for what it is. I did find myself awkwardly reaching for things on occasion... but look, I'm really nitpicking here.
If you’re like me and somehow missed out on the original, do yourself a favour and jump on board the Great Western Trail train. Just be warned: you might become that annoying person who won’t stop talking about it. Oh & did I mention there's a New Zealand version too? Gotta love that!