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Welcome all ye merry travelers to the next installment of the Gamer's Update. As most of you are aware, this is NOT the new millennium, as there was no year zero. That'll happen in 2001. OK, now that we're clear of that, on with the show.
Games Workshop is still running strong, as the new Imperial Guard Codex has hit and is a hit. New formations, new tank variants, and a whole heap of good stuff_but be warned, this is the army version, not the mechanized infantry part of the IG. That'll come later. Also from the fine folks at GW, the new Mordheim minis are out, and the word is_fish! Yes, fish. A vast majority of the new figs are holding fish as weapons, have them strapped to their belt, or some other format. No stats for `em, just fish.
WOTC, our personal version of Bill Gates, has announced the Basic Set 2 for Pokemon, which will combine cards from the Fire and Jungle expansion. Look for it in a few weeks. Also, Ambition's Debt for L5R is still doing well, but I think more for the desire for the chase cards more than anything else. As for Magic? Well, the fire is still burning, but the coal is running out. What will Hasbro do next?
Speaking of Hasbro, Avalon Hill games are finally going to be coming back into the mainstream. Yes, a whole slew of cool ones are coming back out, including my personal favorite, Monsters Ravage America. Look for `em this Spring in a hobby shop near you - or Games Nation. And more words from TSR?!? 3rd Edition is just around the corner. Be prepared.
FASA has released a couple of new books for Crimson Skies and VOR, and both are quite good. They seem to be doing better in the minis market than the RPG one, but then again, that has always been FASA's strength.
AOG is the company to watch this year. The Earth Force Fleet box for Babylon 5 Wars is out, and it's a beaut'. In fact, all of their recent stuff has been up to and above par. Showdowns 1 and 2, Militaries of the League of Non-Aligned Worlds, and of course, their minis. Look for a demo or six this January here at Games Nation.
AEG, though, has stolen my heart. The L5R RPG just keeps getting better, with the Book of the Naga, and 7th Sea is kicking along quite nicely with the Villians Toolkit (four stars!) and the book on Avalon. Yes, we know its based on England, Scotland and Ireland, but it just seems that much more interesting when the faeries play a big part. Also, 7th Sea, the CCG is humming along quite well. Strange Vistas, the latest expansion, includes the Corsairs of Khered-Din, one of the most impressive fleets out there. Its breathtaking - I suggest you try it.
The new hit, though, is Krash. Produced in the Kingdom of Sweden by Cell Entertainment. The basic premise is to build your car, equip it with devastating weapons, and attack your opponent. OK, you say, but aren't there like 50 different games like that out there? Yes, but none of them have Hot Wheel sized cars with over 50 different miniature accessories in a collectible format, do they. What? That's right, folks. You have no idea what kind of vehicle you'll get when you buy a Krash Vehicle or Equipment expansion, but the best part is that its all interchangeable. For example, my kit came with a Hydra and a Taurus. They take some time to load, but make the opponent's car go away in a burst of flame.
Check this one out!
And as a final note, Reiner Knizia has done it again. Res Publica from the fine folks of Avalanche Press (remember Great War at Sea vol 2?) is a civilization building game, and the best part about it is that is requires no experience to play and win. The artwork is cool, and the game plays quite fast_until the end of the game. Then things take a while. But all in all, worth the $28 admission. While you're at it, check out Airlines and Airlines 2 from AP. They are fine games, and a good addition to any collection.
See you next month!
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