| Complexity | Low |
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| Cost | £15 |
| Duration | Medium |
| Players | 2-4 |
| Producer | Rio Grande Games (alea) |
| Size | Small |
Wyatt Earp | Cardgame |
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Recreate the Wild West
This small originally German game is a cunning variation on Gin Rummy set in the Wild West. The game is played over several rounds, the idea being to be the first player to reach $25,000.
The game is comprised of the cards, and seven outlaw cards featuring well known outlaws of the period: Wes Hardin, Bob Dalton, Billy the Kid, Jesse James, Belle Starr, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. These cards are about A6 in size, and are beautifully illustrated complete with a bio.
At the beginning of the game, each outlaw has a $1000 reward on them. This reward increases as players play various cards, and variations of cards. The aim in each round is to try and get a good majority of the points relating to an outlaw. This is done by playing cards relating to them as well as special cards and Sherrif cards.
Play starts like Gin, each player in turn takes either two cards from the deck, or the
upmost discard and then plays a card if they wish. They must then discard a card.
A player can play only one Sherrif type card, but as many other cards as they like.
Initially, there is a minimum meld for each outlaw of three matching cards, but
once a player has played these, anyone can play any number of these cards in a bid
to get a majority of the points and so the reward.
Play stops like Gin, when a player discards their last card. The outlaws are then scored. If there are at least 8 points for a particular outlaw the cash is distributed. If a single player has at least five points more than anyone else, then they take the lot, otherwise it is shared. Any reward money not distributed is left on the outlaw, and $1000 is added to each outlaw for the next round.
Although it is clearly based on Gin, the game's special cards add great interest, and the rollover from round to round makes battles for lucrative outlaws inevitable. All of the components are beautifully illustrated, and the game itself is quite portable, unlike most of the German games. The rules are in full colour, with plenty of examples in Alea's usual style.
| Depth of Play | Good | Every game is subtlely different |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Play | Very Good | Trivial after a few games |
| Production Quality | Very Good | Monochrome wood cut style cards |
| Rule Book | Excellent | Full colour with examples, rule summary cards |
| Setup | Excellent | Very simple indeed |
| Value for Money | Excellent | Another fine German game, but much more portable |
| Overall | Very Good |