Heroscape is cool
I'm always fascinated by those tabletop games you see in game and hobby stores. Usually they're populated by Warhammer miniatures, or any number of re-creations of historical or alternate history battles. I admire the sheer amount of work that goes into the painting and creation of such interesting and diverse landscapes, but I admit they do intimidate me. Emphasis on miniatures games is usually on accuracy and logistics, which means voluminous rules and excruciating details. This isn't a criticism, because there's obviously a sizable number of gamers that this level of complexity appeals to, but more casual players like me find the barriers to entry a little high.
And then there's Heroscape. Taking it's cues from traditional tabletop miniature games and collectible card games such as Magic the Gathering (no surprise, since both properties are owned by Hasbro), the game is easy to learn, fun to play, and accessible even to players like me who don't want to have to remember hundreds of different rules and their exceptions. It only takes a few games before I began to understand how different elements can interact with each other, making a seemingly weak unit a powerhouse when combined with other units. By the 3rd game I was drafting some pretty decent armies.
Speaking of armies, one of the interesting aspects of the game is the notion that warriors from across history come together to duke it out. The result is an eclectic mix of monsters, robots, and historical units that add a lot of flavor to the game. Players “draft” armies based on point values, and games can last anywhere from an hour to several or more. I played over at a friend's house for about 6 hours, and we managed to fit in 3 very leisurely games, plus the necessary instruction on how to play.
Overall, what makes the game fun is that it's complex in the few instances it needs to be, and simple where it needs to be fun. Hardcore tabletop gamers might perhaps turn their noses up at the game, but open-minded gamers will understand that it's simply another choice for gamers, and could perhaps even be a “gateway” game into the more serious miniatures realm.
I could go on, but Matthew Gray has a more extensive review of the game on his blog. Simply put: if you're looking for something a little different to supplement your computer gaming, Heroscape might be for you. Give it a try.