Good day, Skirmishers!
I'm here to present a review of Wreck Age, a post
apoc skirmish game with what I think are fairly keen miniatures. Let's start, shall we!
First, the obligatory website URL:
htp://wreck-age.net - home of Hyacinth Games.
The creators of the game, as with most 21st century Skirmish games, are quite responsive on their forums, as well as keeping up with a news/blogroll. It is a small community, but growing. I picked up the game at Adepticon (well, the minis), after playing and watching the demos, and chatting with the game's creators.
The game is post-
apoc, and has a good backstory. There will be both Skirmish and
RPG rules, which makes for a good thing (
imho), as the
RPG rules cater to the casual, and the Skirmish rules can cater to a more Tourney-oriented field. However, the game is not designed for Tournament Play. Instead, the game offers a series of 'linked scenarios' to play, where the results of the first affect what happens in the next, and so on. Miniatures that survive the first scenario are available in the second, and so forth. All in all, the game promises a more narrative-based approach to Skirmish gaming, giving you a reason to put terrain and minis onto the table.
Quickstart rules should appear on their website this weekend. There is already a demo scenario (being tweaked) and a quick reference card available. I expect these rules to really take a hard swing at Necromunda, Gorkamorka, etc. Any company's miniatures can be used, and the post-
apoc stylings really work for these existing miniature lines. Bomb Boars == Bomb Squigs. I'm just sayin'.
So, let's talk about the miniatures. <bias>I bought them. All of them. OMG. BOMB BOARS. How could I not?</bias> The Price at Adepticon was reasonable, about $7 per figure, but I do not know what the final cost will be.
The miniatures currently come packed in plastic blister cases, but ones that are easy to open. No packing foam, which I think is a bit of a worry, but as this is a small direct-ship operation, they're less worried about warehousing, per-se, which reduces the need for extra-bonus packing materials. And, reduces cost. Always a trade-off. A card insert and an advertisement for the game/website came in each package. Several minis were in a ziploc bag, these were the giveaways in my Swagbag at Adepticon.
the miniatures appear to be true 28mm scale, but they're proportioned a bit 'skinny'. This gives them a bit of a 'flat' profile when viewed from the side.
(All pictures clickable and zoomable)
Each mini comes with a standard 25mm (1") slottabase, as well as a newer 'lipped' 30mm base, such as the ones used by Warmahordes. I chose to use the 1" bases. The miniatures themselves are 'fiddly', but in a good way. A good amount of detail on each sculpt. I understand that some of these (not sure which) are digital sculpts.
For the Drifters, I picked up a slew of boars, both pack and bomb. I also got a Chieftan in my swag bag, one of the "Kickstarter" Chieftans, which is a resculpt, and a Drifter with a sword.
Boars:
Drifters:
While I like resculpts, especially in metal, I would have liked to see a different right-hand. As it is, I have a little too much Disco.
It is interesting working in metal again, after years of plastic (and now resin). The details are crisp, and the casts are pretty good. I got one semi-slipped cast, but not bad. All mould lines are easy to clean up with standard tools. The scenario calls for a couple of drifters and boars, so that's what was available, and what I picked up.
Stalkers:
Here is where, I think, the line really starts to shine. Three female miniatures, none of which whom show major cleavage, naked limbs, or other typical female miniature stereotypes. The one make figure gets a trenchcoat AND a cool hat. Which, really, is all you need.
The weapons are well-scaled, which means they're not the usual OMG how can you carry that sort of thing. This means you can use 1:48th scale weapons with these miniatures, and they'll work. Some of the weapon details are simple, but that's not a major issue. Some of the fiddly bits will need gentle handling (tails, aerials) so make note.
Group, with a Cadian for scale:
The creators are working on more sculpts, which are available for preview on the site. I had the pleasure of seeing some of the 'carts' to be pulled by the boars, and they're amusing as all get out.
All in all, I'm pleased with these miniatures, and they should be fun to paint up.
Pros:
Good community.
Narrative-based skirmish rules.
Good sculpts.
BOMB BOARS.
Reasonably priced for skirmish miniatures.
More figures coming in the pipeline.
Successful Kickstarter Campaign.
Cons:
A little fiddly, means you have to be careful with them.
Miniatures Line not as developed as others, due to being brand new.
No full ruleset out yet, coming soon.
