Looking to the Future....

The IOGre has been away for awhile, but now he has returned from his travels re-energized and brimming with information about some exciting games that will be appearing in your local game stores in the not-so-distant future!

No reviews this time out, but fear not faithful ones, there will be reviews aplenty coming in the next few weeks.  Instead The IOGre wants to talk about expansions, companion games and just some other cool stuff.  This info is top-secret*, so its just between the IOGre and you, ok?  After all... many Bothans died to get us this information**

And with that reference.... How many of you play Star Wars X-Wing Miniatures Game from Fantasy Flight Games?  The IOGre's review is forthcoming, but he has seen the spin off... Star Trek Attack Wing from Wizkids, who have licensed the mechanics.   Having seen gameplay, The IOGre can assure you that The Enterprise will not be dogfighting the way a TIE interceptor does!  Attack Wing is more focused on individual ships than on squadron tactics.  You will be customizing the ship...

adding crewmembers, customizing and upgrading components....  Attack Wing will also feature ships and crew from all eras of Star Trek canon... so toss Kirk and Picard in equivalent ships and finally hash out the all-important "Who is better?" argument.   A well-placed Romulan spy that the IOGre maintains in Wizkids' Headquarters even says one captain choice in an expansion will be... KHAN!

The IOGre is pretty sure he will be grabbing the Enterprise/Reliant pack when it comes out!

Fortune and Glory from Flying Frog Productions is also one of the IOGre's top picks from last year... ( How has the IOGre failed to review this?  Abject apologies....  This oversight will be rectified post-haste, IOGre's honor! )  This game is a favorite for many reasons, not the least of which is the ability to play in a cooperative mode, a competitive mode, and even solo.  You are a Globe-Trotting Aventurer facing off against the might of the '30s Mob or the vile villainy of the Nazis.  Well in September you can add the evil mysticism of the Order of the Crimson Hand to the growing list of foes! This expansion, entitled Rise of the Crimson Hand,  will not only add new Villains, but new cards for all decks, a new type of challenge, and Major Cities Events to add unique flavor to spots on the map!

This will be followed by Treasure Hunters in November.  This expansion will 4 new heroes, new cards for all decks, 2 new Mob Villains, and a new game mechanic: Personal Missions.

Ok, who here is a Bat-fan?  Yes yes, you can put your hand down Bob, we know.....  well the IOGre has some news for you.  There are 2 new games coming.  One is from Wizkids... Batman Gotham City Strategy Game, where you take on the role of one of Gotham's iconic villains, be it Killer Croc, the Penguin, Two-Face or The Joker!  You will vie for control of Gotham against your opponents, but you all have to worry about attracting the attention of the Dark Knight.

  The IOGre isn't very fond of the name... finding it kind of plain, maybe Conquest of Gotham or Gotham City Mob Wars... but as long as the play is engaging, whats in a name?  As an added bonus, the figures in this one are set in slotted bases, and come with interchangeable Hero Clix bases, allowing the figures to do double duty.... bet Two-Face loves that!  This should be out by the time you read this!
And of course, new expansions for Hero Clix are coming as well....

Batman Arkham City Escape is from Cryptozoic and is due out in May.  In this one, One player is Batman, the other player controls the Villains.  the goals are simple... the Villains want to escape Arkham and leave the city.  Batman, naturally has other ideas for them.  The Villains are random, so each game will play out differently, and Batman customizes his equipment each game by choosing what to put in his utility belt.  The IOGre didn't see any Bat-Shark Repellant, but isn't giving up hope.   This one will set you back $45.00 well spent dollars.



Recently Cryptozoic also released the excellent DC Comics Deck Building Game, and plans an expansion for it in the Fall....  no real news on this other than that it is coming.

Marvel Comics also has a popular Deck Building Game out, Legendary from Upper Deck and it too will have an expansion: Dark City due in late June.

These are just a few of the highlights coming to your friendly local game store in the coming months...  Robotech is making a comeback....  yes Battletech fans, your unseen are once again there if not officially....

There's Roller Derby.....

 

Malifaux is getting an RPG, Mayfair Games will be rolling out Aeroplanes, a boardgame set at the dawn of commercial aviation, Catalyst Game Labs will be producing advanced rules for Leviathans ( another game the IOGre cant believe he has not reviewed yet.... ) as well as 2 new Fleets.  They will also be unveiling a new edition of the beloved Shadowrun RPG, as well as a card game, with more news to come for next year.....  and thats just the tip of the iceberg....

*  ok not so top secret... most of this was revealed at the GAMA Trade Show

** In fact, no bothans died to get this info... but one stubbed his toe really badly