First released in 2016, Great Western Trail has proven popular with game players and critics, receiving multiple international design awards. Set in 19th Century America, the game calls on players to lead their herds from grazing lands in Texas to the railheads of Kansas City. Along the way, they can build and use buildings to help them maintain their herds, hire staff, and invest in improved railway lines. An expansion, Rails to the North was offered in 2018 (see “‘Great Western Trail’ Expands”).
Now, Eggertspiele, owned by Plan B Games, is working with Great Western Trail designer Alexander Pfister to produce an upgraded “essential edition” of the game which will include new gameplay elements. The new edition will feature all-new artwork by Chris Quilliams (Great Western Trail, Pandemic Legacy).
Great Western Trail: Second Edition will be the beginning of a planned trilogy of games. It will be followed in the summer of 2022 by Great Western Trail: Argentina and in the summer of 2023 by Great Western Trail: New Zealand. Each title in the series will be a complete stand-alone game.
Details about the new games including MSRP and components have not been released.
Plan B Games has also announced the launch of Reiner Knizia’s Equinox this summer (see “Plan B Games Unveils ‘Equinox’”).
