Great Western Trail Full Playthrough - JonGetsGames

[@yannhillion6316]

An "OK job"? No Jon. This is, hands down, one of the best game playthrough I've ever watched (and I watched it all like a movie). This was like a "reverse Rahdo" video (which I also enjoy)... First, it was a complete game, and hence, satifying and then you sped up the decision making process instead of taking 15 minutes per turn. I too was surprised at how close the top two players were at the end (no spoilers). I should be getting my copy within a week or so. I can't wait to try it out. Kudos to you!

[@JB-ym4up]

Yann Hillion haha yes

[@BlueSapphyre]

Yann Hillion the only bad thing about speeding through the decision process is that I don't get a feel for how AP inducing the game is, whereas in Rahdo's video is very apparent.

[@JonGetsGames]

Thanks for the pep talk, I'm glad you enjoyed what I made here :) I was mostly refering to how I wasn't able to get some parts of the game going to show them off as much as I'd have liked. It's one thing to film a full playthrough, and it's another to do so while also making interesting and entertaining decisions along the way. I was worried mostly that it wouldn't be very entertaining but the response here has erased that fear :)

[@jeremyrugg3015]

But sometimes Radho shows analysis paralysis on games where there really isn't much as he seems very prone to slowly and not so effectively look through options.

[@Arjay82]

Rhados videos are great for getting a quick feel for a game to see if I want to dig deeper into it. After that if I'm still interested I'll seek out a proper playthrough/rules explanation like this.

[@hotshot100]

This is, hands down, one of the best game playthrough I've ever watched too

[@JohnQSpartan]

I really appreciate the fact that you do a full runthrough of the whole game. So much more informative than a few turns ...

[@partypao]

This is the best boardgame playthrough in youtube, bar none!

[@NekoNoBaka13]

I decided I wanted to learn this game, since it's on BGA in beta right now. I watched an 8 minute video with fancy camera work, music, and special effects, and came away very, very confused. Then I watched this one and was all set! Thank you for making these, Jon!

[@tkindree]

For the record, this was the first time I watched a play through video from start to absolute end, in one sitting. You should get a commission on the sale of that copy! Extremely well done, thank you sir!

[@thoughtsthroughsound]

I have never seen unanimous approval, but man does this video deserve it. The best playthroughs available. Nice work

[@clumsydad7158]

omg, grab the popcorn, it's Jon's Great Western Theater !! (-:

[@brianrodenbeck]

Great Video! This was a game that I didn't actually think I was going to like, but you're playthrough was perfect in showing how the game plays... and now I'm sold. I literally paused the video to make my order and then came back to finish.

[@alexxpfister]

Fantastic video! Thank you, Jon

[@chrispoulsen5922]

Mr. Pfister, how you come up with these games is amazing! New favorite designer hands down!

[@JonGetsGames]

I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@smoothcriminal28]

Alexander Pfister Thank you for making imcredible designs good sir.

[@BGBarbarian]

Alexander Pfister are you THE Alexander Pfister that created one of my favorite games Port Royal? If so, you are awesome!

[@zerepier]

Really thx for this great western playthrough! Your job gives a perfect and clearly overview of this incredible game and is a perfect format for me.

[@Calistake047]

Best GWT playthrough, period. Great job man, thank you.

[@JamesBjorkSax]

This was brisk and on point and exactly what I needed. Bam bam bam, each turn explained, each move rationalized. Gave me a solid grasp

[@beautifulboards4404]

Great job Jon. Your playthroughs are easily the best way to learn a game!

[@superomelet2897]

This is a great video! I just bought the game and I was looking for some different approaches. This does a great job of explaining not only what each player is doing, but why.

[@jagdisc]

Thorough, professional, easily the best of board game videos on KZbin.

[@SilentBeutlin]

Still, and without a doubt, the best video on youtube to learn GWT. A tremendous help for all of us designated rules teachers. Thanks a lot!

[@JonGetsGames]

This is really nice to hear, thank you so much for the kind words. I'm glad you found it informative :)

[@johnbrown6230]

Thanks for the great play through. 32:00 clarified one point which I wasn't sure about.

[@jaredbeiswenger3766]

This is just what I needed. Was just reading the rulebook, prepping to play at Euroquest in a week.

[@Deadshot15]

I love watching Jon play games. I have seen flashier productions but he just has a great way of explaining that actually helps me learn the game which is the whole point. Great job and thanks for posting!

[@PaulRuane]

I can't imagine how long that took to film and edit.

[@JonGetsGames]

This one was on the longer end for my playthroughs, I estimate it was around 15 hours total once the dust settled :)

[@Bill-xv9mz]

Quite possibly the best playthrough that I've ever seen for a relatively complex game. Thanks Jon. P.S. I got to play this game for the first time a couple weeks ago, and absolutely loved it. Thanks for making this much easier to understand.

[@JonGetsGames]

That's great to hear that you enjoyed the video and the game :)

[@chrispoulsen5922]

AMAZING! Jon, this playthrough was incredible and was seriously top notch work. Thank you!

[@dave0754]

I felt intimidated to play that game but not anymore! This is an incredible video. Thanks for everything you do, Jon.

[@smoothcriminal28]

Dude, you're a beast. This is where I come to learn games now.

[@JonGetsGames]

Thanks! Glad you've found it useful :)

[@jollyroger1009]

I was glad when I saw that Jon had done a video explaining this. Great as always!

[@Tomwitch32]

OMG, such an amazing production. Really helpful and extremely detailed, especially with the zoom-ins. Keep it up!

[@JonGetsGames]

Thanks!

[@dougwarr9459]

I just got this game for Christmas 2021. Been wanting to play it for a while now. This play through was fantastic. Thank you! Will be getting it to the table soon!

[@JonGetsGames]

Thanks! I hope you enjoy it when you get time to play :)

[@timoseppa9124]

This young guy has a lot of energy and promise. I enjoyed this playthrough!

[@JonGetsGames]

I try not to cringe too hard when I watch myself from all those years ago :P Glad you enjoyed it!

[@timoseppa9124]

@@JonGetsGames Ha. I've found that stuff in the recent past can be embarrassing. When it's further in the past, you shrug your shoulders and just realize it's just a younger version of you.

[@mattsmith6558]

Awesome video! Another game to add to my wish list after one of your playthroughs.

[@tommessig2060]

i love the pace of your playthroughs. i don't need to learn all the rules, just enough to know whether or not i would like the game.

[@MoriMemento117]

This is an incredible playthrough, Jon!

[@jolcheung2]

Thank you Jon for making this playthrough. Hands down the BEST on youtube. Love your reviews and playthroughs. You deserve more subscribers!

[@JonGetsGames]

Thanks for the kind words, I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@neilgilham4120]

Need to thank you, this game is very complex and although I’m not a newbie to Games this one intimidated me for a bit. I literally oh all my thanks to you and this video. After watching this I no longer had any questions and consult this video anytime I forget something. A++ Job

[@JonGetsGames]

Thanks Neil, it's great to hear you found this to be so informative :)

[@TheDiceman56]

Jon...... what an amazing playthrough. It is absolutely seem less. You should be proud of this playthrough as it really is professionally done. Well done sir!!! Your editing is fantastic. Again, well done sir!!! I am sure I will watch this many times when I purchase the game to guide me through the rules. You say at the end "An ok job at explaining". It's good to see someone that is so modest. Best playthrough ever!!!!

[@JonGetsGames]

Thank you so much for the compliments, I'm glad you found it both entertaining and informative :)

[@seanmayer1695]

You're one of my go-to guys for game reviews and playthroughs...very well done sir.

[@bonehead797]

Great playthrough. I just got the game and after watching a few reviews and quick playthroughs, I was gonna go hard in a strategy of either just cow buying or engine moving but after watching this I think that you really to diversify. Quite eye-opening. Thanx.

[@PauloRenato23]

Excellent video Jon :) Thanks for the playthrough

[@stevesmith7351]

Top notch playthrough and I liked your wrap-up analysis. Good job, Jon.

[@BGBarbarian]

Dude you are a beast for making this video. I know it must have taken a lot of work. Great video and great game.

[@morepewpewlessqq]

It is amazing!!!!Very detailed and professional! I almost gave up on trying to understand this game after buying it and watching other tutorials! Thank you

[@anshuljoshi6149]

What a superb playthrough... easily the best I've seen of GWT. It's unfortunate you don't like the game but we are very fortunate that you made this runthrough for us. :)

[@JonGetsGames]

It's been a few years and I do plan on trying out the new versions that were announced :)

[@nigelgraves174]

Filming, lighting, editing, and explanation all first rate as usual: excellent work!

[@samiamagaimagain]

Awesome playthrough from start to finish! I am sold on this game.

[@andrewwalsh9849]

Not sure if you mentioned this in the video, but it looks like each color went with a strategy revolving around the worker of a similar color. Blue went conductor, Red was cowboys, and Yellow went craftsman. Nice touch.

[@JonGetsGames]

Huh, that was purely a coincidence!

[@rappscallion3238]

Thank you Jon. This video really, really helped. I've read the manual but seeing it played out made it so much clearer. Great work, keep it up.

[@nala28]

Well done sir. We just finished our play through and your video should almost be essential viewing. I hope you got some sort of bonus from the producers of GWT.

[@DavidOdum]

Amazing playthrough. On par with Before You Play. Really good way to learn the game.

[@framebrain]

Awesome job on this Jon. Have fun at BGG this week (and on your other trip the following week)!

[@shatnershairpiece]

Very good runthrough. 16:30 you mean bottom 'right' of the map, not left. You mixed this up as well at 12:35 when you say "far left as you can." You mean "far right"

[@JonGetsGames]

Gah, I have a life long struggle with left and right. For the most part I have it down but it appears I slipped up here :P

[@EclecticCamel]

Jon, this series is really great, very helpful. Thanks so much.

[@carrickrichards2457]

Fantastic: Entertaining, concise, focused and very helpful. Thank you

[@Boardgame_fun]

I really love your playthroughs! You're doing a great job!

[@jeremyrugg3015]

I have watched quite a few different youtubers for board game playthroughs so I can get a better idea of a game before purchasing it. This if the first video I have watched of yours and it is hands down the best playthrough that I have seen. It satisfied the content I am looking for in that it is a full playthrough of the game and showed off most every aspect of the game. It also showed the different strategies and why you would take certain actions. The part that sets your video apart from the others is the production value. Your extra effort shows. The audio is good and is consistent throughout. The camera is always showing what is most important. Every card was visible and legible unlike many videos. There were many useful cuts instead of one camera angle which allowed everything to be visible at the right time. It is clear that you knew what to say and may have even practiced before as you don't have scenes where you are stumbling for words or sitting and thinking. The production and the many editing cuts made your video above and beyond what else is currently available on youtube. Thank you for the extra effort and for the great video.

[@Scubasgamecorner]

Nothing to say here except...... Bravo Sir Best Playthrough ever

[@stefanhammarsten6369]

Great playthrough mate! Been looking at this particular game for a while now and, judging from this, it's a must buy! Keep up the good work :D

[@heupsche]

Amazing job! Very clear and I actually had lots of fun watching your video even though it's long. I've heard about this game from so many people but I wasn't interested in buying this myself since it seemed a bit too complicated. But after watching your video this got on my to buy list. Now I am so excited to play it. Thanks!

[@MohamadSobh]

Stellar work as usual Jon! Thank you for demystifying another game for me.

[@Aquadoozy]

If I caught on to the game correctly, I noticed a potential better move before your final Kansas City delivery. During turn 29 for red, instead of going straight to Kansas City with the 2 jerseys, you could have stalled in the building just before it. Moving your train ahead one, but more importantly use a double action. Which you could have drew 2 cards and discarded two, with hope to draw a couple better cards than the single point jerseys.. Thanks for the full playthrough Jon! You're awesome, and did such a great job thoroughly explaining the gameplay in such an easy to follow fashion. The game seemed to be really intimidating, heavy, with such complex rules. But watching the full video it doesn't seem so difficult. Definitely going to keep an eye out for it... and in the meantime try to convince hubby to play with me T_T

[@armandp9852]

The rule book states that if you land on a neutral building tile (or your own) then you can: (1) perform some or all of the local actions OR (2) if you do not perform any local actions then an auxiliary action is permitted. Correct me if I’m wrong but I continually noticed you performed local actions AND auxiliary actions?

[@JonGetsGames]

I looked through the first 10 minutes or so and didn't see this mistake happening. I agree that it is an "Or". Do you recall any specific sections this happened so that I can specifically answer it?

[@armandp9852]

JonGetsGames I’ll take a look and let you know if I find such a case. I used your video to learn the game so maybe I misunderstood your actions.

[@wemser82]

Thanks a lot Jon, for so much effort you've put into this video!!

[@JonGetsGames]

No problem, I'm glad you found it worthwhile :)

[@Higgins21]

Thank you so much Jon! You're the best, plus I'm a big fan of Mombasa so I was really looking foward to this video! It officially confirmed that I must get this game ASAP and will really help for teaching it. I can't wait :)

[@davidgustafsson5559]

This is a really great video for me to watch. I am soon going to play my first game with some friends that haven't played it before either. This video is the best "how to play" I have found. Without being a how to play :p

[@reigh_leigh]

Love this video, thanks for doing this!! I was on the fence about buying this game but now I think I want to.

[@jeffhayward7159]

Thanks, Jon. Love the content. This video made me decide to pre order. Also, to contribute to you over on Patreon. Cheers!

[@smoothcriminal28]

Jeff Hayward He really does deserve it. I can tell these runthroughs take a lot of man hours. Jon has become the best reviewer in the game for me.

[@KBrandes]

This was excellent! Feeling confident to tackle it myself.

[@alisss9346]

I have watching so many channel but you r the BEST!!

[@deanlowdon8381]

Great runthrough. Really helped us with our first few games 🙂

[@echirellė]

At 56:00 red player took auxiliary action and only got rid of one cattle but they are allowed two discards; you were silent on that so was it by choice. Thanks

[@JonGetsGames]

Hmm, it looks like I did indeed forget to grab that second auxiliary draw. Good catch.

[@glamalkisen]

Why don't the train move once the player is done in Kansas City? You moved a disc to the different cities, but not the train?

[@JonGetsGames]

Honestly it's been far too long since I've played this game to be able to accurately answer your question.

[@echirellė]

Excellent job,,best play through video I have ever seen

[@stevegeorge7773]

31:09 are you sure, for stations, other players can place a token at this same location? I realise one can do that with the cities, but I understood the stations could only be filled by a single disc. Question 36:32 re double auxiliary actions. On the player board the icon only shows a single cog at the top. Does the two cogs in this action mean you could do two different auxiliary actions? At 1:34:00 is putting a disc at this point legal? I thought you could only put discs when your delivering, at action point 5?

[@MarlonKruis]

Good job Jon, looks like a tricky job playing 3 players by yourself ;)

[@chayashida]

Thank you for a great playthrough. I looked at the rules, and I looked at a number of other playthroughs, but the game was *way* too confusing. Someone on /r/boardgames mentioned that your video was a good way to learn how to play the game. After watching your video, I feel like I can teach it to my friends now. Thanks!

[@JonGetsGames]

I'm very glad this helped :)

[@DeathlyDiJ]

also, you can choose to play objectives at the end of the game. do you get the money for playing them if their special action is gaining 2 dollars? this could get you 5 dollars for a point.

[@JonGetsGames]

You don't get the one time benefit in the top left if you play them for points from your deck at the end of the game

[@TheGunslinger019]

Now that i've seen this played i have to say that GWT rocketed to the top of my wishlist! Alex Pfister is on a roll lately.

[@carolineheinz3573]

Thank you very much for this great explanation, you make the game seem interesting and fun. I have been afraid to play this game because it looks so daunting but also dry somehow and the theme about cowboys and cattle wasn't really something I was interested in. But now, thanks to the insight you gave me, I'm looking forward to the next game night, I am sure they will suggest Great Western Trail again 😁

[@zakwasny]

Lot of work you put in this video! Thank you for this, because it's superb!

[@Scubasgamecorner]

Great Video, and perfect timing...we are playing this tomorrow

[@nmestler]

Wow! Great runthrough! Sold me on the game. Thanks.

[@harleygrattan2851]

Well explained and I enjoyed it.

[@Cleansweep38]

I’m Very Happy to still discover some of your FULL Play throughs! Thanks for sharing! I also just watched your Maracaibo play thru and I certainly like the Maracaibo game better and just bought it! I do have a question for you. There is a western themed game that plays like the first half of Sir Francis Drake (the board walk part) and I think you build properties or buildings in the desert part of the board. ( I only played it once over 10 years ago. I thought it was this game, but it’s not,) Thanks for being out there and I still let people know about your videos!

[@JonGetsGames]

I think you are likely thinking of Carson City. Glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@Cleansweep38]

JonGetsGames yep! Carson city is it! Thanks Again!

[@mongoosethe]

This is an amazing job. Many thanks!

[@shagua2]

Thank you for the playthrough and don't worry about strategy, I watch only to learn the rules

[@jonahdunstan6514]

jon the mj of playthroughs

[@sugaranddice]

Thank you for the complete run through, can't wait to play this tonight! I was thinking about your review as I watched this and it does feel like you neglect the buildings in favor of other strategies, I'm not sure if this is a weakness in the game so much as it is just an area you haven't taken the risk to explore in favor of other avenues. It definitely feels like one of those games with such variation potential in strategy that you can't help but neglecting something...

[@Arjay82]

He's giving a demonstration playing three handed. I doubt any kind of "strategy" was on his mind.

[@ZoidbergForPresident]

Terrific work, sir! Thanks! I'm ready to play this now! :D

[@victoralonsomartinez8292]

Awesome video Jon!! Thank you!!

[@sergeyobruch9519]

Excellent video! Thank you!

[@thegameacademy1]

Wow Jon, great work. The amount of work this must have taken to produce... was this all done with one camera? You've sold me on the game. I don't quite have the patience to film like you just did, lol. Just fantastic work!

[@JonGetsGames]

Yep, just one camera. I took a time lapse of my recording proces for the Scythe playthrough which gives you an idea of how I do this recording, you can see it here if you are interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJK5l2d5jaiDsJY

[@jlateralus21]

If you're going to start on square 1, wouldn't it be a good idea to start at the building prior to KC, so you can sell your first load of cattle and then move to the beginning? Assuming you draw a good variety of cards first?

[@nelsonnexus9531]

Great Playthrough!

[@koilalang]

Hi Jon, in 42:44, in the last tile, should you discard two cards instead of one card? Since the icon shows discard 2 black cards in in order to get 2 dollars.

[@JonGetsGames]

I believe that means you discard one value 2 black cow, not two cows total.

[@Jan-oh4fj]

Awesome video, totally have to get this game thanks to you :)

[@mvbracing]

Great playthrough, great game

[@wickedmosher]

Great great video, thanks for doing a full play through. I subbed and shared.

[@Ruiao6]

At 1:18:52 would it be legal to just move once and use and auxiliary action to move the train back once and get that station?

[@JonGetsGames]

I don't think we had that auxiliary action available at that point.

[@Ruiao6]

@@JonGetsGames yes, you're right. I was mistaking it with the action above. Thanks!!

[@andrewhalferty]

This was a fantastic help! Thank you!

[@alisss9346]

Do we put our duty cards next to our cow cards? How do we get rid of the duty cards when we get them? Are we also looking at the side cards when completing the task cards?

[@JonGetsGames]

Unfortunately I can't answer any of these questions because it's been too long since I played the game. I suggest going to the BGG forums and ask there.

[@GameWeekendChalbie]

I love your videos so much