SPALDING WARGAMING CLUB
If the players enter into the rootin' tootin' spirit of things, act like varmints and raise all kindsa hell, then Western Legends throws up fantastic narratives Maybe Western Legends is riding on the buzz generated by Red Dead Redemption II but this big sandbox game took Kickstarter by storm and made its way to my table. It's been a big hit on Wednesday Club Meets. So saddle up, pard'ner...
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The game encapsulates every broad Western archetype (or cliche) known to man. You choose your (largely historical, some fictional) character, collect your equipment and money, place your miniature on the board in or around Dark Rock and nearby Red Falls and off you go. To do what? Well, you could prospect for gold then ride into Dark Rock and bank it, take the money to Red Falls and spend it on showgirls. Or just rob the bank! You could pick up cattle at Sunny Hills Ranch and wrangle the livestock at the railhead - or rustle them over to the other ranch at Mesito's Point. You can play Poker at two different saloons. You can bring in NPC bandits - or attack other players.
It's a sandbox game. Go where you want, do what you want. Goal cards are randomly drawn and give you some starting direction. Good deeds advance you on the Marshal Track (lucrative and good for endgame scoring) and bad deeds advance you on the Wanted Track (great short term benefits but it paints a target on your back).
Instead of dice, the mechanics involve playing cards, with the highest card winning. Each card also has another power it can be played for, forcing you to consider whether winning a duel is so important it's worth using up a really useful card.
It's deeply thematic, but not terribly taxing. Definitely a game that's as much fun as the people playing it. If the players enter into the rootin' tootin' spirit of things, act like varmints and raise all kindsa hell, then Western Legends throws up fantastic narratives. Players looking for more thoughtful strategy will find it swingy and unfair. Those guys need to play Great Western Trail instead.