Gameplay in Brief:
The hex-based map familiar to fans of The Settlers of Catan is now in America with Settlers of America (full title: Catan Histories - Settlers of America: Trails to Rails). Players begin on the East Coast, constructing depots and railroad tracks as they move westward. As players build, they create goods that then must be delivered to depots owned by other players.
Catan fans will recognize many of the elements -- resources used to build rail, trains, etc., and an outlaw who steals resources -- but there is plenty new here to recommend Settlers of America on its own merits. This is an excellent family strategy game.
The Basics:
Settlers of America: Trails to Rails is for 3 to 4 players, ages 12 and up. About 120 minutes per game.
Designer:
Settlers of America: Trails to Rails was designed by Klaus Teuber.
Publisher:
Settlers of America: Trails to Rails was published by Mayfair Games.
Awards:
Settlers of America: Trails to Rails was my pick as the #7 board game of 2010.
Also by Klaus Teuber:
Teuber's design portfolio also includes The Settlers of Catan and many related games, Hoity Toity, Barbarossa, Wild Wild West (originally published as Drunter und Drüber), and many more.
