Westward Rails (2021)

About this game

Westward Rails is a stock-holding and route-building game about western expansion in the United States. Three-to-five players will bid on shares in five historical railroads, use that money to build routes, connect specific cities to satisfy demands, and develop important metropolitan areas, all with the aim of securing bigger and bigger dividends for the companies in which they are invested. Westward Rails is played on a point-to-point map, sprawling out west by connecting cities to make major profit. On your turn, you choose to build, auction, or upgrade. This continues around the table until all demands have been met or companies run out of track. Most money wins the game.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 3 to 5.
• Rules load. At 2.0/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 14 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.