May 01, 2011

New Games on the Horizon

This year I've decided to branch out in my gaming experiences and have decided to give several new games a go. Mainly because i really want to expand my painting horizons but also because i don't want to burn out on games i enjoy playing currently.
The games I'm currently looking at (in no Particular order)
1) Heavy Gear Blitz: Locked and loaded      
Website link: http://store.dp9.com/product_info.php?products_id=449
Although I've know about this game since it first came on the scene some 15 years ago my initial thoughts were nice models but kind of complex and slow rules. At the time i was heavily into Battletech and never gave it a try.  Now a new version of the rules (this might be version 5??) Locked and Loaded has recently come on the scene and the rules look really streamlined and the miniatures have just got better and better over the years.
HGB Locked & Loaded Rulebook Rev 1.1 (Full Color, Softcover)
[DP9-9996c]

HGB Locked & Loaded Rulebook Rev 1.1 (Full Color, Softcover)

Welcome to the 62nd century and the world of Terra Nova. Colonized by humans, left to fend for itself, and divided between two rival superpowers, recent events have brought this formerly united planet once more to the brink of war. The harsh battlefields of Terra Nova are home to a new type of fighting machine: the 15 foot tall war walkers called Heavy Gears. Filling a role between tanks and infantry, it has radically altered the face of warfare. The battle for Terra Nova has begun. Will you fight for honor, for pride, or for the land to call your own?
Heavy Gear Blitz – Locked & Loaded includes revised, streamlined miniature wargaming rules, with plentiful rule examples. Faster to learn, faster to play. Also included within this book:
  • An introduction to the world of Terra Nova.
  • 4-page map section covering all of Terra Nova.
  • A scenario generator that encourages tactical victory conditions, designed to work well with leagues and tournaments, including basic campaign rules.
  • Comprehensive Field Guides for the Northern Guard, Southern MILICIA, Peace River Defense Force, and Port Arthur Korps, along with individual Member League Armies and the Leagueless to support you in building your forces.
  • Regiments of Note listings covering the more interesting and unique regiments on Terra Nova.
  • 6-page miniatures gallery including an assembly and painting guide. Timeline covering from before the Interpolar War to the formation of the Westphalia Cabinet and the Black Talons.
  • 90+ datacards, covering all the standard vehicles used in the Field Guides.
A core miniature game rulebook for all players; Requires the use of six-sided dice (not included) and Dream Pod 9 miniatures. For two or more players, age 8 and older.
The Heavy Gear Blitz Locked & Loaded Rulebook Revised Edition Rev 1.1 includes some new pictures of miniatures not available when the book was first released. Plus small rules and text revisions along 1 new page of datacards and 3 pages of quick reference sheets at the end, that bring the interior page count up to 204 pages.
ISBN 978-1-897460-94-8
(This is how you advertise your product – from the description above i have at least a fair idea of what will be in the book.)
2) Malifaux 
This game is pretty new on the scene. Especially here in New Zealand. It has some fantastic looking models and an interesting rules system where Dice are removed from the game and instead you use a deck of cards to resolve game effects – ive played one game of this against my friend Rob from – Painted addiction and think it’s kinda cool. Small outlay for Miniatures ect means this is a great place for a wargamer on a low budget.
Malifaux Core Rulebook
Malifaux CORE Rulebook
Wyrd Miniatures is proud to announce its character driven skirmish game, Malifaux. The game book is soft covered, with 216 full colored pages inside. Malifaux is diceless, utilizing our eye catching illustrated Fate Deck, you play a unique card based system that encourages tactics, strategy and resource management over the random fall of dice.
Based in an alternate Earth, Malifaux uses gothic, steampunk, victorian horror with a dose of the wild west to inject fun and depth into the magical lawlessness of a world rife with monsters, necropunks, manmachine hybrids, gunslingers, and power-hungry politicos. Actively using character-driven stories to define the world of Malifaux, seek your fortune in this fast paced and brutal 32mm tabletop miniature skirmish game. Assemble your crew and stake your claim!
No longer do you have to trust the fickle fate of a dice roll, in Malifaux you use cards, a Fate Deck, as you lead your Crew to victory with strategy, tactics and resource management, and if that isn’t enough, you can Cheat Fate. Looking for scalability? Malifaux has it. Jump directly into a Scrap with 4 – 6 miniatures, ensuring a quick and brutal fight with each character having unique skills and abilities. Want to escalate it? Take it to a Brawl, bring in additional members of your faction or hire out mercenaries to do your dirty work.

(Not a bad description but id have little idea of the book layout if i hadent actually had a flick through this one.)
3) Infinity
Website Link: http://www.corvusbelli.com/en/02_tiendainf_rtdo.asp?IDNOTICIA=397
This is another game that has been out for a while. The Miniatures are fantastic. However the 1st edition rules we awful – very hard to get to grips with as it was poorly laid out. The production values were top notch though – awesome pictures and heaps of colour when such things were rare in the wargaming world. With a second edition out ive decided that i will take the plunge and try my hand at this game before the end of the year.
INFINITY Rulebook - 2nd English Edition



Reference: 289903
Content: 2nd EDITION REVISED
Hard cover book, 232 pages, in full colour.
With pictures, illustrations, and everything you need to play Infinity: background, rules, complete army lists, markers and templates.
(Proof that some gaming companies really need to push their product a little harder. From this description i have no idea what’s actually contained in the rules.)
Ok so not really new games but pretty new for me and my friends.
I’ve taken the plunge and ordered a Rulebook and a starter force for each game. As they arrive ill do a full review of the figures and the books. 
If anyone has played any of these games or more importantly is playing these games now id love to hear your thoughts on them and any tips for collecting, playing ect. 

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