Andrew Lotz, Play Unplugged

From the darkness, a single strand of steel wire flew forward and coiled around the guard’s throat. With a subtle tug from its master, the wire pulled the guard off his feet in a silent collapse. Emerging from the shadows, coiling the wire was a thin figure dressed in garb of black. The Way of the Pulled Strings had claimed another victim. Now, to slip inside and show the Emperor who the REAL puppeteer is…

Wu Xing, from Third Eye Games, is a ninja-themed roleplaying game based around a complex clan war structure. The latest release for the system, a sourcebook called Truth and Lies, is the second Kickstarter-funded sourcebook for the system, and an indication of a growing trend in gaming: fan-funded expansion projects. Funded in the Fall of 2012, Truth and Lies made nearly double its goal amount from just 88 total backers. Third Eye Games has used Kickstarter to fund other great projects, such as the utterly fantastic Mermaid Adventures roleplaying game where players explore quirky undersea adventures as a variety Atlantean mermen and mermaids, and Part Time Gods, where seemingly normal folks are suddenly gifted with godlike powers and have to try to balance their old and new lives. And with the Kickstarter model, instead of producing countless splat-books to grind sales from the fan base, a sourcebook like Truth and Lies comes directly from a player base that wants the product.

Cutting edge gaming: a sourcebook that the PLAYERS actually want!

Truth and Lies hits the reader first and foremost with the level of depth. The book immediately jumps into two extended narratives in the first two chapters of recruits learning about the two clans presented in the sourcebook (The Will of Iron and the Hidden Strands of Fate). This is solid gaming fiction, no doubt about it. Page after page of each Clan’s chapter weaves a deep and thorough story about the Clan: its practices, its motivations, its members, and its history. The reader feels immersed in the Clan politics, and it can clearly be a springboard for building very deep characters with a lot of connections to the political machinations of the Wu Xing game world.

The latter chapters include a variety of game rules to pair with the new Clan offerings or be used a la carte. While there is some variation, the main feel of these options is that they give you a role in your Clan—again, about embedding the narrative of the Wu Xing world into the character generation. From new fighting styles to new mystical powers, there are some great and flavorful elements to enhance characters. The cool-factor hits its peak with a fighting style that uses razor-thin wires to dispatch foes, which combines with puppeteer powers to make a malevolent ninja a master of control, manipulation, and even sinister marionettes. With these new options, Wu Xing players will find that their ninjas can be more unique and powerful than ever. The only thing lacking is a solution to the now-classic defense against ninjas: lighting oneself on fire.

There was no way that I could get thru a review of a ninja game without a shout-out to the epic glory of Christopher Hastings’ Dr. McNinja series.

The main critique I felt when reading Truth and Lies was that it felt like a great sourcebook for people who don’t actually play any games. We all know a player or two like this: the sit-and-imagine-what-could-be roleplaying crowd. What they are looking for is not necessarily rules to run gaming sessions, but rather an immersive world to imagine various characters of their own partial creation inhabiting. There’s a strong resonance with a lot of the White Wolf Vampire: The Masquerade sourcebooks here, which I was always convinced were more for people to read and imagine, rather than practically use in a game. While certainly people can play games with the rules in Truth and Lies, to really “use” much of what is presented both the GM and all the players would have to have read the entire book—there is so much lingo, multiple names for the same Clan, and variety of intrigue going on, it’s hard to keep it all straight. And like the White Wolf products, it feels like that “being grounded in your Clan” element is necessary to the kind of stories that are going to be generated. The narrative depth that makes this book a really fun read actually makes it hard for me to imagine playing—a problem with many of the more “political intrigue” sorts of RPGs.

A supplement for a leisurely afternoon read.

The only other (and related) complaint about Truth and Lies is the adventure included in the supplement. There’s a lot going on in the adventure: too much. It’s the classic moment where as a potential Game Master running it, I said to myself “how in the world will the players figure out all this backstory and intrigue that is supposed to motivate them?” And it’s why I feel like this book may be more interesting to the aspirational gamer than the actual gamer. The aspirational gamer, the older gamer who may not have many free nights to actually get together with friends for a game, can read through the adventure and enjoy the level of intrigue—they can think about how they would interact as a player and how the story would unfold. But for the actual gamer, I think the adventure might be a baffling experience (the classic “what is our motivation?” problem) or feature so much non-organic explanatory revelation from the Game Master that it would bog down (the classic “you missed the fact that this guy works for the shadow organization because his younger sister was kidnapped 18 years ago during a full moon—you didn’t realize that from the earlier description?” problem). Thus, I think it’s indicative of the product as a whole: it’s more for the imaginative space about gaming that is created by the product than a tight rule set for busting heads on the table top. And frankly, in this era of gaming, that might be one of the best-selling and most-popular reasons why game materials are consumed!

The Breakdown

Positives

+ Fluff-lover’s dream, full of great narrative elements
+ The layout and design is crisp, with industry-standard art
+ Build a rich roleplaying environment
+ Exciting new options for the Wu Xing game, particularly a very thematically cool “Way of the Pulled Strings” character option for murderous ninja puppeteers who fight “silkworm style” with deadly razor-thin wire

Negatives

- Lack of even a short introduction can lead to some confusion about the clans (which of the many variations is the actual name of the clan?)
- Complex elements require high player investiture
- The adventure presented in the book is unwieldy and overly complex

Overall, Truth and Lies, the new sourcebook for Wu Xing from Third Eye Games, hits more than it misses, and is a great pick-up for fans of the Wu Xing world. Though it can be unwieldy at times, players who want a deep immersion in the story of two ninja clans for their own ninja-themed games will not be disappointed. You can purchase Wu Xing: Truth and Lies at your friendly local game store, or the Third Eye Games webstore for $19.99 (MSRP) print edition or $9.99 (MSRP) for a PDF version.

Jason Vey, Play Unplugged

A few years back, Pinnacle Publishing and White Wolf Games took an unprecedented step in the tabletop gaming industry when they listened to fan demand and re-released the classic versions of Deadlands and Vampire: the Masquerade, respectively. These re-releases were ostensibly done to celebrate the anniversaries of the games in question, but were met with cheers from the fan base of these games. What no one expected, however, was for Wizards of the Coast to follow suit.

The edition wars that erupted when the fourth edition of Dungeons & Dragons came out gave rise to the niche movement that is generally referred to as the OSR—the Old School (Renaissance, Revival, Revolution, Revo-take-your-pick). These are those fans of older editions of D&D who dropped the newer versions of the game and went back to their retro edition of choice. Some even went so far as to use the Open Gaming License to create their own versions of these classic editions so that they could be in print once more, and once more see support.

Several of these “retro-clones” became popular, and somewhere in the depths of the dank Mountain-Dew-and-Doritos-filled basement in which I like to imagine Hasbro locks its WotC subsidiary, someone was listening. The gaming community was delighted when Wizards announced the re-launch of the first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons corebooks to celebrate the game’s 30th anniversary, with faux leatherette  covers, foil-edged pages, and a ribbon bookmark, with a portion of the proceeds donated to a memorial to honor one of the hobby’s creators, E. Gary Gygax.

When these flew off shelves, WotC announced that they would re-release second, 3.5 edition, and original D&D premium reprints as well.

It’s important to view these things in context. The first edition re-releases got a royal treatment from WotC, and from the looks of it, the forthcoming Second Edition books will get the same treatment—leatherette covers, ribbon bookmarks, etc. The OD&D set in November will come in a real wooden box with premium dice and nicely presented reprints as well. So what about the 3.5 books?

This review will examine the re-released Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 Spell Compendium. This book is an outstanding resource for DMs and for players of spell casters, a collection of over 1,000 spells above and beyond those found in the Player’s Handbook, drawn from such diverse sources as the Complete book series, Dragon Magazine, various D&D setting books, and the Wizards’ website. Many spells have been upgraded from the 3.0 edition to work seamlessly with the 3.5 version.

Dungeons & Dragons: Spell Compendium (3.5)

The book contains rules implemented between the printing of the cores and the release of this book (and useful to magic users), such as swift and immediate actions. It gives advice regarding various supplemental spell casting character classes such as, “this class deliberately has a limited selection of spells; be careful in choosing how to expand it.”

The spells include passages that describe what a spell looks, sounds, and feels like when cast (a neat idea, though giggle-worthy: imagine a player saying, “I cast Beast Claws,” to the DM’s response, “Hold on a minute while I look it up for the descriptive passage”).

Another nice element is the addition of book and page references for the spell’s sources and rules references where needed. There is a full page of spells re-named from their original source material, and I did wonder why this was necessary; no explanation is given. But it’s nice to have the reference handy. After the spells is an appendix of spell lists for the core classes, as well as an expanded list of clerical domains.

The book is thorough and while I never owned it the first time around, I’ll be glad to have it at the table any time I play 3.5 in the future.

“Fetch my Spell Compendium!”

The book is high-quality, with paper stock and interior art and design identical to that in the original release and a much thicker and heavier cover than the original, which features a glossy, metallic look in its evolved version of the original book cover design. One wonders why WotC didn’t take the leatherette approach with the 3.5 re-releases; these don’t even include a ribbon bookmark.

With a cover price of $50, it’s an investment, especially when the original can be found on the secondhand market. Back in 2004 Wizards released real leather-bound anniversary editions of the cores; perhaps they didn’t want to confuse the issue with another set, or that leather binding may have pushed the price to $75; however, the 1e and 2e books aren’t actually leather bound—they just look like it.

Let’s be fair: $50 isn’t unusual for a 285-page full color glossy hardback gaming book, and the binding and cover stock do seem high-end. Still, they just don’t look “premium.”

The Breakdown

Positives
+ A fantastic resource for spell casters in a 3.5 D&D game
+ 1,000+ spells, some upgraded from 3.0, from various sources
+ Rules references and good citations
+ Expanded clerical domains and spell lists
+ Heavy, sturdy binding; this book just feels strong and substantial

Negatives
- $50 price tag could turn some gamers off
- For a “premium” book, the cover treatment could have been more “premium.”

The Verdict: If you’re a 3.5 fan who missed this book the first time around, grab it. It’s well worth the cost and effort if you plan to play the game. Also, we as gamers should be supporting the effort—call it a cash grab if you like, but the truth is this is a big-time game company who listened to their fans and is trying to give them what they want: all the older editions, back in print, along with the new stuff. Sure, they’re trying to make money off it. They’re a business. That’s to be expected. But this is a classy gesture that has brought a lot of gamers back into the D&D fold. Plus, again, the book just rocks. OVER A THOUSAND SPELLS, ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!

Enrico Nardini, Play Unplugged

Those of you vigilantly following Stone Blade Entertainment know that a new expansion has been released for the popular Ascension deck-building game. Enrico unboxes Ascension: Rise of Vigil to give us a glimpse at all of that awesome Eric Sabee card art.

Ascension: Rise of Vigil

Enrico Nardini & Andrew Lotz, Play Unplugged

Llllaaaaawwwwwwww! This is a review we haven’t been… dreading! The film heretics return to talk about Dredd (2012), the latest film adaptation of the 2000 AD Comic featuring Karl Urban as the eponymous lawman of Mega City One. Join us for our usual rambling chatter, culminating in a discussion relating the film to tabletop gaming!

Dredd (2012)

Enrico Nardini, Play Unplugged, 5/5/2013

Play Unplugged sponsor Arcane Wonders has a fantastic new announcement for Mage Wars fans! Read on below to find out more about the newest expansion for the game of dueling Mages!

Arcane Wonders® is proud to announce CONQUEST OF KUMANJARO, our new Spell Tome Expansion including Alternate Mages!

Far to the south, the Johktari tribes of Kumanjaro have thrived for hundreds of years. Now the peace of a century has turned to conflict as the forces of Westlock carve out their own territories for the good of the crown and the glory of Asyra. Players can wage their own matches as a Priest of the Order of Malakai, or as a Beastmaster of the Johktari, using new ability cards for each, and a trove of new spells from all the spell schools. Join the fantasy phenomenon that pits mage against mage. The conquest begins with you!

The Johktari Beastmaster is a fierce and proud hunter, defending her people’s lands against invaders. She is a skilled archer and has the Ranged +1 trait for all of her non-spell ranged attacks. She can also sprint quickly across the vast savannahs, running swift as a Cheetah using her Sprinting ability which gives this Mage the Fast trait. If these Abilities weren’t deadly enough, the Johktari Beastmaster can use her Wounded Prey ability to mark and relentlessly pursue wounded prey, working with her animals to finish it off.

The Priest of Malakai is a crusader against non-believers. He seeks justice and relentlessly pursues enemies with Holy retribution. The Priest is blessed with the burning light of Malakai, and his basic melee attack deals light damage. In addition, once per round, if the Priest attacks and damages an enemy creature with any attack which deals light damage, the creature may burst into flame via Malakai’s Fire. To round out the divine might of this Mage is his Holy Avenger ability. When a friendly non-Legendary Holy creature comes into play, you may make it your Holy Avenger. The Holy Avenger is blessed with divine strength and it gains +5 Life.

 A few of the creatures in this expansion, such as the Guardian Angel, are ready to defend their Mage at any cost and thus introduce the Intercept ability which allows them to jump in the way of ranged attacks if they are on guard.

 Kumanjaro is home to the Legendary Makunda, bold, fierce, and true king of the land.

 The set also introduces three (3) new conditions: Bleed, Stuck, and Tainted.

Whether your Mage must treat a potentially fatal open wound, escape the web of the Giant Wolf Spider, or deal with a wound that just won’t heal… You and your opponents are guaranteed a thrilling battle with many tense moments and exciting surprises in the Arena!

Based upon customer feedback, we have included some new tokens for bookkeeping: Armor +1, Melee +1, and Ranged +1. These vivid tokens will ensure that you and your opponent know the current state of affairs on the board.

 The EXPANSION INCLUDES:

• 2 Alternate Mages: Priest and Beastmaster

• 2 Mage Cards + 2 Mage Ability Cards

• 106 new Spell Cards

• 22 Punch Markers (with new conditions!)

The Conquest of Kumanjaro Spell Tome expansion will be available in the USA on June 12^th at the 2013 Origins Game Fair in Columbus, OH. MSRP $29.99

 For more information go to www.magewars.com!

Enrico Nardini, Play Unplugged

Battlefields is what I call a creamy peanut butter game… I know; I’ve lost you already…  Hang in there! Some products like peanut butter, tomato sauce, and miniature games come in many styles (for example smooth, chunky, that kind with the grape jam mixed in). Chunky rules are more granular. They try to encompass and/or simulate multiple battlefield conditions, troop types, special abilities, and more. Rules and rule interaction in these types of games can be quite complex, and if you are up for the challenge, quite rewarding and thus satisfying.

Sometimes however, I don’t want to play with a very complicated set of rules. There are times when I want to grab batch of figures and some terrain, come up with a scenario, and throw it all down on the table and have a good time. For the sake of this tortured analogy we’ll call these rules that reside on the far side of simple as creamy rules. Battlefields: From Broadswords to Bullets is that kind of rule book.

Battlefields: From Broadswords to Bullets

Presentation

Battlefields honestly doesn’t do much for me presentation wise. This is a very humble product, about the size of a thin magazine (25 pages) and printed in color on sturdy paper. The cover image is a cartoony and attractive illustration of toy soldiers of various periods doing battle. It’s a nice picture that triggers feelings of nostalgia for a younger and more simple time in my gaming life, and it is what sparked my initial interest in the product.

That is the “high water mark” as far as production value goes in this product. Don’t get me wrong, I am not one of those who believe that every miniature in a rule book needs to be painted to competition levels. In fact, I believe that can be quite intimidating. The photos in Battlefields however are not only of models painted to a very basic standard, but they also aren’t particularly well taken photos. At first I just attributed this to the humble production values, but honestly Quick and Easy Games has better pictures on their website, so I don’t quite understand the picture choices here.

The layout is quite spartan. It doesn’t dazzle, but it is very easy to read with large font size and good sentence spacing. Some pages could be spruced up a bit, and there is the occasional typographical error. New topics are presented with a bold heading, and the rules are presented in a logical sequence. There is no table of contents or index to speak of, but in a publication of this size, its absence doesn’t detract.

Rules

As stated previously, Battlefields rules are basic. The game is designed with 25mm (HO scale) figures in mind. Each model is referred to as a troop, and they are combined into groups referred to as units in the rules. The game does not use point values which will annoy some, but I found it quite refreshing. The rules are simple enough that you should be able to balance forces based on equipment, number of heroes, and other advantages.

The game follows a modified You-go-I-go rules structure (somewhat similar to Games Workshop’s Lord of the Rings: Strategy Battle Game). The turn sequence is as follows:

1. Initiative
2. Movement
3. Missile
4. Melee
5. Morale

Initiative is diced off for each turn. The winner decides whether they will move their figures first or second. This adds a degree of tactical decision making to the initiative round, as there are advantages to moving first or second depending on your position.

Troop movement is in inches and depends on the troop type. Each type has a fixed walk and run number. After the figures have moved, missile combat is resolved simultaneously; meaning that two figures could shoot each other dead in the same turn. Figures in base-to-base contact then fight melees. If a unit loses half its number it routs and must then be rallied by a hero.

The system utilizes six-sided dice to resolve all actions. The core combat mechanics for shooting and melee are equally simple. In ranged combat you roll 2d6, and you kill on a score of 8 or higher after modifiers. In melee you and your opponent each roll 1d6 and the higher roll wins and kills, once again after modifiers (ties remain locked in combat). Gaining modifiers is the key here, and you can do that in numerous tactical ways, such as taking cover to reduce the effectiveness of enemy fire (a negative modifier), to charging into an opponents rear in melee (a positive modifier).

In the end, it is the simple core mechanics coupled with modifiers that makes this game so customizable. I’d been wanting to do some Roman vs. Celt skirmish gaming, and I’ve already thought of the relevant modifiers I could use. It was quite fun just thinking of things to add to make a custom variation of these rules for my specific need. It’s very empowering and reminds us that any set of rules we pick up can be changed to fit the needs of the user.

In addition to these rules, Battlefields includes an advanced rules section. This section includes variety of rules for things like destroying terrain pieces or playing in a fantasy setting. This offers some examples of how the rules can be customized to fit your needs and is good for inspiration even if you never end up using what is presented there.

The Breakdown

Positives

+ Inexpensive
+ Simple mechanics that are quick and easy to learn
+ Highly customizable and versitle

Negatives

- Low production value
- Lacks a force balancing mechanic (exp. point values)

There are times when you want a set of rules that covers every aspect of the miniature on the table, and there are times when you just want to throw some figures on the table and roll dice. Battlefields: From Broadswords to Bullets is for the latter, and so long as that is what you are looking for, it will not disappoint. The casual “beer and pretzel” crowd will enjoy its simplicity and customizability. You can purchase a copy of Battlefields from the Quick and Easy Games website, Indie Press Revolution, or a friendly local game store that supports independent games ($12.49 MSRP).

Jesse Dana, Blackborder, Republished 5/1/13

This article was originally published on www.blackborder.com and forms part of the Play Unplugged/ Blackborder partnership.

I have gone on record many times in stating that Magic is far more than a game and that I often prefer to describe it as a community.  To me it is a collection of brilliant minds, creative souls and passionate hearts that have been united by a common interest and I feel truly blessed to be a part of it.  I am, however, part of another great community, the City of Boston.  As you all may know by now, my hometown has been devastated by the recent tragic events at the Marathon this past Monday, which resulted in multiple casualties and hundreds more wounded.  Although those who are suspected of creating this havoc have been brought to justice in some way and Boston can somewhat breathe again, it is now time to rebuild.  That is why I am reaching across the Multiverse today to ask you, my fellow Planeswalkers, to assist in helping those affected.  I have gathered pieces of my own personal collection together that I am going to raffle off to one lucky winner, with 100% of the proceeds going to onefundboston.org designed to help those most impacted by the tragedy.

Here is how the raffle will work.  For every $2.00 U.S. Dollars you donate your name will be entered in the drawing. (So if you donate $10.00 U.S. Dollars your name will be entered 5x and so on…)  Money will be transferred to me via WePay at this address jessemdana@gmail.com  through youcaring.com. Please include the #MTG4BOS and your name in the message so I know it’s for this purpose. The raffle will go on for two weeks+ after it is posted in order to try and raise the most money possible.  When the two weeks+ are up, I will have a local judge pick the winners name at random.  I will then ship all prizes to said winner, no matter where on Earth or any other Plane they happen to be.

Awesome prizes from Jesse’s personal collection!

Prize Structure:

1. The raffle will start with a brand new and unopened COUNTERPUNCH Commander deck (Yes the one with Scavenging Ooze in it).
2. If donations exceed $100.00 U.S. Dollars I will add 120 new Commander’s Arsenal sleeves, a foil Swamp, Plains and Forest an Ob Nixilis the Fallen and Collective Blessing to add to the deck and a brand new Swamp Logo Ultra Pro flip top box to store your new Commander deck…
3. If donations exceed $200.00 U.S. Dollars I will add a Garruk Wildspeaker, Garruk Relentless and Liliana of the Veil Planeswalker card.  I will also add a Necropolis Regent signed by artist Winona Nelson.
4. 4) If donations exceed $300.00 U.S. Dollars I will add a factory sealed box of Return to Ravnica as well as Chandra Nalar’s goggles and Chandra pin that were exclusive prizes at PAX 2013.
5. 5) If donations exceed $500.00 U.S. Dollars I will add none other than Jace, the Mind Sculptor to the pool along with his friend Snapcaster Mage as well as a one of a kind artist proof Vampire Hexmage that has a sketch of Mr. Beleren on the back drawn by artist Eric Deschamps who did the Jace art for the Worldwake Fat Pack.

I know times are tough for many of us so I humbly ask you to contribute whatever you can as no donation is too small.  Whether you have the ability to donate or not, please Tweet this #MTG4BOS, post it on Facebook or share it anyway you possibly can, as there may be non-Planeswalkers who wish to donate in your name for the cause…

I thank you all for your help and for continuing to show what an amazing collection of people the Magic community is.

All the Best,

Jesse

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at these two locations.

Email: jessemdana@gmail.com

Twitter: @JesseMDana    Please use #MTG4BOS

As of our republishing date (5/1/13) there are ten days left in Jesse Dana’s fundraiser.  Make sure you check it out today!

Enrico Nardini, Play Unplugged

Play Unplugged releases another miniature gaming salvo! This time we’re opening fire on Battlefront, the makers of the popular Flames of War miniature game. Enrico and Dave unbox their latest starter set: Open Fire!

Open Fire!

D. L. Spurlock, Play Unplugged

Ah, Victory at Sea. It brings to mind battle cries, newspaper headlines, and grandiose symphonic music. And, it is the title of Mongoose Publishing’s foray into World War 2 naval miniature war gaming.

Physically, the book is a standard 8½” x 11”, paperback, glue-bound product. The cover is printed full color and semi-glossy. It depicts an artistic rendering of the German World War 2 battleship Bismarck firing on an indiscernible enemy vessel. One would presume it is the British battle cruiser Hood.

Victory at Sea

The interior pages are black and white printing on non-glossy paper. The pages are all standardized print style with silhouette line drawings of naval vessels bordering every page. The text is cleanly printed with good use of white space, and there are numerous black and white photographs and other illustrations throughout.

The rules are logically laid out. The information leads the reader through the turn procedure in the order in which the game is played. The rules are spelled out in 18 pages of text and illustrations. The remaining 90 pages contain scenarios, campaign and fleet information. The last few pages contain black and white sheets of ship and aircraft counters and game gauges. Players can photocopy these pages and use them until they obtain ship miniatures and their own game aids.

Victory at Sea is not a dense set of rules. If you are an experienced gamer you could sit down read through them and be playing within a half an hour. Simple mechanics, doesn’t necessarily mean a simplistic game. The depth of naval miniature gaming comes with the vast variety of historical ships available. Mongoose Publishing shows this by dedicating a full 50 pages of the rulebook to the fleet lists.

The game is played in turns broken down into essentially two phases, a Movement Phase and an Attack Phase. It uses the standard IGO UGO system within these phases. Players dice off for initiative. The loser nominates a single vessel and moves it. Then the winner of the initiative roll nominates and moves one of their vessels. Players alternate, moving one vessel at a time until all of their vessels have been moved. During the Attack Phase players do the same with the victor of the initiative roll selecting a ship first. Players dice off combat one model at a time in similar fashion. Pretty straightforward, no?

There are rules for critical hits and other special orders. What naval game would be complete without the possibility of a ship going “Boom!” with a single salvo? Mongoose Publishing’s set is no exception. Where it differs from the normal fare is the way forces are selected for the game.

There are several historical scenarios given. But the heart of Victory at Sea lies in the Fleet Lists. The initial rulebook comes with the big six nations of World War 2:

• Royal Navy (Great Britain)
• Kriegsmarine (Germany)
• US Navy (United States)
• Imperial Japanese Navy (Japan)
• Regina Marine (Italy)
• Marine Nationale (France)

The fleet lists contain some, but not all, of a particular nation’s inventory of surface ships, aircraft carriers, submarines and aircraft. The rules assign each vessel type a point value and then organizes them into four distinct groups called Priority Levels.

Players pick the Point Level and Priority Level in which they wish to play, and then select their ships accordingly. They place their miniatures on the table depending on the scenario selected or diced for, and then romp through the rules playing out the game.

Graf Spree

Overall, I would say Victory at Sea is an interesting and different way to play World War 2 naval miniatures. It has a feel that modern miniature gamers will appreciate. If you are coming from say, Games Workshop’s Warhammer or Privateer Press’s Warmachine, then you will be right at home with the way Victory at Sea games out. Not necessarily historical, but rather “historical-esque”. And this is where the game lets me down.

Victory at Sea will give you a game using historical ship models with historical names, but players are going to end up in match-ups that are anything but historical. Does this make Victory at Sea a bad game? Not at all. In fact it is a very good set of rules to push model ships around on a tabletop. It will give you several hours of enjoyable game play and fun with your friends. Just don’t think you are making the same choices faced by Admiral Yamamoto or Nimitz.

The Breakdown

Positives

+ Simple to digest system that will have you playing in very little time
+ Decent layout; information is easy to find for reference
+ Players should be able to handle fairly large battles
+ Well supported by Mongoose Publishing

Negatives

- Incomplete ship list (However, this is alleviated by follow-on books)
- Not a simulation, more like historical-light

Victory at Sea is available as a printed copy through Mongoose Publishing or your local hobby shop. It is also available as PDF downloads from the usual places. There are at the time of this review three other books expanding the fleet lists and moving the game system into World War One. Mongoose also published several articles containing additional scenarios and ship types in their Signs and Portents e-zine, as well as starting a new line of ship miniatures for the game.

Bottom line? Victory at Sea is a decent game offering a fun way to push lead around on the table with your friends. It should give you many afternoons of fun for the price of entry.

Enrico Nardini, Play Unplugged
Who wouldn’t want someone to fight their battles for them? 2000 AD’s series featuring combat robots designed to resist atomic, bacterial, and chemical weapons, is one of it’s most iconic contributions to the comic book world. Wargames Foundry must agree as they have multiple packs featuring miniatures of these unique characters. Let’s crack some packs, and take a look!