In case you haven’t been following Asmodee Digital’s development blogs, they’ve just officially released all of the details regarding next month’s digital adaptation of their Spiel des Jahres and Ace d’Or award-winning, programmed movement, Old West family board game, Colt Express.
Colt Express is set in the American Wild West, with players taking on the role of train-robbing gun-slinging bandits. On their turn players either draw cards, or play action cards to a common pile.
These action cards can cause your character to move, punch, shoot, steal and more. Once the cards have been played (sometimes face up, sometimes face down), they are activated in the order in which they were played and this is where the real chaos ensues, as even the best plans will certainly go astray. Will your punch land on the correct player or just hit empty air? Will you stay safe, or accidentally walk into the path of a flying bullet? All bets are off.
With its unique 3D train ‘board’, the physical game is quite the spectacle on the game table, and doesn’t necessarily easily lend itself to a 1-for-1 digital adaptation. So instead of trying to create an exact digital version of the cardboard game, Asmodee, along with Frima Studios, have crafted a brand new experience that is still faithful to the board game. Introducing six new characters, a brand new story mode and online multiplayer, the digital release of Colt Express looks like it’s going to be another stellar digital board gaming experience, complete with a mood-setting original soundtrack inspired by the work of renowned spaghetti-western composer Ennio Morricone.
“This is more than just an adaptation of the board game, it is a genuine revision of the physical version of the game,” said Remi Hanesse, product manager at Asmodee Digital. “We have crafted an imaginative and expansive world where players experience fast-paced, challenging gameplay, fueled by a riveting storyline which sparks competition and festivity among friends.”
Here are all of the details we know, direct from Asmodee Digital:
Original Characters with Strategic Skills
Each of the six original bandit characters featured in Colt Express have their own custom objectives, skills, personalities and life stories. These distinct skills and personalities play a key part in the strategy of the game. For example, a character with hypnotic charm will be able to take control of an opponent at a crucial moment while a character with superhuman strength will be able to detach train cars when needed. The characters’ stories are told in exclusive graphic novel chapters which can be unlocked as players progress through the game.
New Story Mode
Colt Express’ new story mode creates breathtaking adventure captured in 30 chapters loaded with challenges, twists and exclusive unlockable content. Centered around the six characters of the game, the story mode not only reveals the rich histories of the characters, but also opens up new gameplay mechanics, items, environments, skins and game mode variants. These variants change the way the game is played and add new depth to the game and how the stories of the characters unfold.
Online Multiplayer Gameplay
Playable in single player mode or through a worldwide online multiplayer leaderboard, the digital version of Colt Express is playable anywhere, anytime and allows for interactive real-time gameplay with friends. The game even allows for the creation of a “friends list” which players can use to easily organize playing with their friends. Colt Express also hosts an online global community which includes a leaderboard that tracks the game’s best players, which is updated in real-time.
Colt Express will be available next month on both iOS, Android for $6.99 and on PC (via Steam) for $9.99.
