Saloon Tycoon

I bought Saloon Tycoon because the title appealed to me — a model of responsible consumer behaviour — and found a very pleasant hour-long game instead. Its 3-D table presence does the initial work of catching your eye, but it is not merely decoration: everyone is a little lost on the first outing, and later plays reveal where the strategy has been hiding.

Each player is trying to build the best saloon, putting up buildings and keeping them supplied. Turns take nanoseconds, which is a fine quality in a game where you want things to happen rather than watch someone take up permanent residence in their turn.

Multiple objectives and cards provide surprises and reasons to bring it back, while the interaction ensures that nobody is simply building their own little business in silence. You will watch the other player's saloon. You should.

The best part is how clearly Saloon Tycoon opens up after that first game, once the early confusion becomes small plans and sharper choices. It remains light and quick, but it has enough bite to invite repeat visits. Just keep an eye on the Ancient Old One: he won comfortably by arranging a trio with the senator above the printing house, which was deeply disturbing.