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Colt
Express

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Play OverviewPlay Overview

Colt Express (2014) is a traversal game where you move a bandit along an express train in the Old West to collect the most loot. Each player pre-selects moves, attacks and pick-ups that then play out together. Unusually, play becomes about planning, predicting and counteracting the actions of others before watching this unravel in front of you.

You start by selecting your character which has unique bonus actions. After placing your character on the train, you take turns playing cards to specify a sequence of actions: moving, fighting and collecting loot. Once everyone has done this you play out the moves one by one to see the actions carried out. However, if you make assumptions about the location of other players and loot, things can't unfold as you hope and you often have to watch powerlessly as your plans fall apart.

This process repeats for a series of rounds as players battle to collect the most valuable loot tokens before the other players do, whilst taking damage from attacks and enduring other small events that affect the way each turn plays out. At the end, the loot is counted and added to bonuses scored for shooting accuracy and a winning "bandit" is found.

It's a fantastic game of making plans, adapting those plans, second-guessing opponents and fighting them for victory. It's chaotic, fast-moving and often very, very funny.

Our examiner, Rob Prior, first checked Colt Express 2 years ago. It was re-examined by Ellen Robertson and updated 5 weeks ago.
There are lots of games similar to Colt Express. Here are some we picked for you:

Play StylePlay Style

This is a Sequencing and Traversal game with Battle elements. You can play with 2 to 6 players in the same room. Play is more enjoyable with 4-6 players.

 
You can play this game in the following styles:

DurationDuration

Learn to Play: This takes 45 minutes to learn. The mechanics of this game are relatively simple to play, but there are a lot of smaller rules and events that make it more complex to learn fully.

The first time you play, do the following:
  • Ignore the characters' special skills.
  • Play with 2/3 people.
  • After understanding the main game mechanics, start a practice turn, discuss your card selections and the action phase, and then re-deal for your first full game.

Play Time: This game will take between 40 minutes and 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete. Play will be slow at first, but once all players know the game it becomes a much quicker game to play.

Age RatingsAge Ratings

Skill Level

8+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Although younger players can be able to play this game, they may need support with understanding the mechanics of the two-part nature of this game. They will also need to be able to cope with other players spoiling their plans - deliberately or otherwise.

Content Rating

We rate this suitable for 7+ years-olds. This game involves weapons, fighting and injury. This isn't depicted in graphic detail.

CostsCosts

There are no additional in-game purchases, loot boxes, adverts or subscription costs.
 
There are many expansions that add new ways to score points for yourself and to foil other players:
  • Horses & Stagecoach adds a stagecoach you can jump to.
  • Marshal & Prisoners adds two more characters with new abilities.
  • Bandits allow players to compete against one game-controlled bandit.
  • Playmat adds a mat to place the train on.
  • The Time Traveling Car adds a DeLorean-like car that allows a player to hide at the start of each round.
  • North Pole Station adds an extra round card.
  • The Tunnel before the Station adds an extra round card.
  • Plato Event Card adds an extra rule to tunnel rounds.
  • Cursed Loot adds extra loot tokens with very low points value.
  • Rock Promo adds a rock decoration to the game.
  • Train Station Terrain adds a holder for the round cards.
  • The Punch Cards adds extra punch cards to increase the chances of punching characters.
  • Santa's Elf adds eight tokens and an elf character who gives loot to players. 
 

DetailsGame Details

Release Date: 01/01/2014, updated in 2019

Skill Rating: 8+ year-olds

Players: 2-6

Genres: Sequencing, Traversal and Battle

Accessibility: 32 features

Components: Cards, Figures and Tokens

Developer: Asmodee USA (@Asmodee_USA)


Taming Gaming Book Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships.

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