Many of us looked forward to the publication of Worthington Games' Cowboys: Way of the Gun. Relative to the plethora of fantasy themed games at this scale, and WWII tactical level wargames, there have been few games that deal with this mythic subject. Avalon Hill's Gunslinger arguably was tediously overburdened with chrome, and in any event, has long been out of print.

Unfortunately, a number of people who acquired Cowboys: Way of the Gun complained that this game erred by being too simplistic. It's basic mechanic was IGO/UGO movement system, with the on the board cowboys having to choose between either moving or shooting. In addition all cowboys took four hits, so that the only way to kill a cowboy with one shot was to roll double sixes and play a rare "critical hit" card. In addition there was no "opportunity fire." This created a situation where cowboy #1 might take a protected position behind a window in order to cover a portion of the street, and cowboy #2, in order to get passed cowboy #1 window was to wait for him to "pass" on his turn, and then simply move past the window. The game also had a highly deterministic feel. If two cowboys met in the street to shoot it out at close range, the odds were high the cowboy who shot first will kill the opposing cowboy after suffering three hits himself.

In response to some player's criticism, Worthington published advance rules on its website. These rules provided for a chit draw mechanic to determine turn order, "reaction fire," and a variable damage determination. In addition, it created the important ability to be able to move and fire, with, of course, a reduced likelihood of hitting the target. How does the game play with these advanced rules? After several plays with kids and adults participating, I happy to report the game now seems to have a more realistic feel, and given the added randomness, much more increased tension. Now to run past that cowboy staked out behind the window, one has to risk getting shot. If you decide to have your cowboy meet another cowboy in the street, who knows how it will turn out?
All the cowboys have the advantage of being able to "see" all the other cowboys given the game's "bird's eye view," but due to the fact an opposing cowboy maybe able to move twice before your cowboy moves again due to the chit draw mechanic there is now a much needed "fog" added to the gunfight.

I can only assume Worthington Games initially decided to leave out these rules in order to keep the game simple and accessible to children. I've played this game with children every time I have played it, one as young as eight years old, and even the youngest player had no problem comprehending the "advanced" rules. I'm also happy to say they absolutely loved this game.

The only problem with the advanced rules is some of the scenarios do no seem to work well with them. They were obviously designed with basic rules in mind, so players will have to exercise a little judgment in modifying scenarios in order to make a better game. Some of the scenarios, which were always a little weak, (how interesting can a a scenario where three cowboys square off for a die rolling shoot out in an open field be?), now appear even a little weaker.

It's too bad this game was published without the "advanced" rules now available on the company website. I think many people who would have initially purchased the game passed on it when they read the first version of the rules published online. It's a great looking game, (with perhaps one of the best illustrations on a game box), taking on a great theme. I hope a future expansion offers more interesting scenarios, and perhaps more chrome, such as cards which give the cowboys unexpected objects with which to fight; create doors in unexpected places; etc.