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Game Info
Year
2022
Collection
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Description
Cactus Town is an asymmetric action programming game for 2 to 4 players (1-5 with the Lone Ranger Expansion). A highly interactive game of fast paced chase & escape.
Sleepy little Cactus Town is going to see some action: you can put yourself the Sheriff’s badge, join a group of dangerous bandits, seek ransom as a bounty hunter or even use the power of seduction being an avenging Can Can dancer. Each party has its own objectives and its own special actions, making this a perfect gateway game for asymmetric gameplay. With playing time of 10-15 minutes per player, you can swap and play various parties each session.
Players program their actions with 3 out of 4 action cards each turn. Sounds easy enough, right? But careful, actions alternate between players and action cards are programmed in reverse order, meaning the last card programmed comes up first. Mastering this is a real challenge. Can you out-think your opponents, guess their moves and get in your own. Or will you out-think yourself and create some hilarious chaos?
Each player's characters move through a 5x5 building-card grid, which is set up randomly face down each game. The game includes an advanced version with building effects and several variants, giving you even more replay value.
Are you ready for a duel? Will you plunder for gold? Are you in the mood to dance a Can Can? Going to steal a horse, are you? A lot of things are going to happen in Cactus Town, create your own cinematic Western story!
—description from the publisher
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Cactus Town Review
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 3
This page: 3
Sentiment:
pos 3 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–3 of 3
Video G8y0tRxDvaM
Meeple University Playthrough at 9:56 sentiment: positive
video_pk 89739 · mention_pk 289245
Click to watch at 9:56 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- simple rules and accessible programming-game feel
- modular Kickstarter content adds variety
- fast, quick rounds conducive to a two-player session
- family-friendly live playthrough with light strategy
- cute minis and attractive production
- asymmetrical design with multiple character options increases replayability
Cons
- some minor stream lag noted during play
- token reveals and duel options can be a bit intricate for new players
Thematic elements
- asymmetrical objectives with outlaw vs sheriff/deputies dynamics; use of buildings and plunder
- western town
- modular, asymmetric, competitive confrontation
Comparison games
- Burgle Bros
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Arrest/Imprison — sheriff/deputies arrest outlaws by moving to them and initiating duels; outlaws can be jailed
- Building effects — advanced buildings grant bonus movement or tokens that influence duels
- Duel — duel resolution largely based on dice; can be modified by tokens like bullets, rerolls, traps
- Loot/Plunder — outlaws loot buildings to collect plunder and then escape to the wilderness; first to two loot wins in two-player match
- Run — move orthogonally and flip buildings; used to move to loot locations
- Sneak — move orthogonally without flipping buildings; can sneak away from another character on the same card
- Tokens and secret reveals — tokens (reload, bullet, trap, etc.) are kept behind a screen and revealed secretly to affect duels
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Cactus Town is an asymmetrical programming game.
- this is a live party family game
- it's highly modular with all of the Kickstarter contents
- this is a simple programming game
- the first loot tends to be really easy
- asymmetrical without being too difficult
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ZEiHDu4GqoU
Board Game Dad Top List at 10:36 sentiment: positive
video_pk 89175 · mention_pk 288175
Click to watch at 10:36 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Asymmetrical gameplay
- Interesting programming mechanic
- Simple to play
- Relaxing and fun
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Players with different objectives in Cactus Town
- Western town
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- asymmetrical gameplay — Each player has different objectives.
- Movement — Players are on a grid, moving around to get to different locations.
- player interaction — Have brawls with other players and disrupt the other players' plans.
- Programming — Playing action cards at the beginning of a round and then executing them.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- If you're looking to get somebody a family board game for the holidays then first of all you are an excellent Gift Giver.
- All of the games on this list are brand new there's nothing on this list that was published earlier than 2021.
- While the age group goes as young as children of age four these are not children games these are family games meaning that they are picked to be just as enjoyable for the adults in the room as they are for the children.
- This channel is called Board Game Dad and many of my viewers and subscribers are board game dads and if there are any games that I am not aware of they are sure to leave excellent recommendations in the comments.
- I really like asking my kids to step up to a new challenge and give them something that is going to have them solving problems in a creative new ways that's why we play so many board games in my house.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video uR5K6MTNv3A
Meeple Mountain Review at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12505 · mention_pk 36468
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Rapid setup and teaching; light, accessible
- Asymmetric factions with distinct playstyles
- Modular depth via optional modules for replayability
- Fun Western theme with hijinks and humor
- Reasonably quick playtime for family gaming
Cons
- Depth relies on modules; base game is quite light
- Tactical chaos can be frustrating when plans are disrupted
- Duels and repositioning can lead to downtime if unlucky
Thematic elements
- Programming/logic to achieve faction goals
- Wild West town with four factions
- Light-hearted, chaotic, humorous
Comparison games
- Bang!
- Renegade
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Advanced buildings / modules — Optional modules add depth via special buildings and tokens.
- Asymmetric faction goals — Each faction (Can-Can dancer, Sheriff, Outlaws, Bounty Hunters) has unique objectives.
- Cactus token blocking / moving — Cactus tokens can block spaces and be moved to disrupt opponents.
- Card programming / action selection — Players choose three of four action cards to program their turns.
- Duels and stun/drag mechanics — Duels determine who is stunned and moved; second-shot tokens can modify outcomes.
- Hidden resources / tokens — Tokens behind screens and hidden dual tokens add depth and bluffing elements.
- Hidden Roles — Tokens behind screens and hidden dual tokens add depth and bluffing elements.
- Movement with map of town — Move around a 5x5 town grid, with reveal rules for lands you land on.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- movement is very clean and quick
- it's a pretty quick read which is great for the size of the box
- the base cards all are going to just be named locations
- the fun little world that's been created
- not going to be over anybody's head
- it's a blast
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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Showing 1–3 of 3