Playing "Spulk" - First Impressions

Playing Space hulk is definitely a learning curve, for those of us who have never played any of the original versions of the game. My wife and I have decided that it fit our time restraints well, on the plus side, with most of the games being played in an hour or less. It also had simpler rules than 40k. That is a big draw for my wife, who likes more traditional board games with simpler rule-sets.

Getting the rules right really is crucial for the games to be more balanced. We must have played the first mission 6 or 7 times because we kept getting rules mixed up. For instance, it can lend a considerable advantage to the Genestealer player if you play it so that the blips do not have to remain out of Space Marine LOS to move, giving them a movement with a voluntary reveal. That is a good idea for a special rule when creating your own scenarios if you want the Tyranid player to have the advantage.

The maps can take a lot of space, but no more than a regular 40k game. Unfortunately for me, I only have a 4x4 table (hence my infatuation with cityfight rules). This means that some of the maps can really push the limits of my playing surface. Make sure you have a pretty decent-sized table to use.

Don't rules lawyer. The game was designed for fun, not tournament settings (hmm... much like 40k now that I think about it). Don't play this game with somebody that is overly competitive, because that can detract from the experience of the game. This is the perfect Saturday Game Night system for you and a buddy. If a situation arises that is not covered in the rules, use the 40k solution: roll off for it.

So far, my wife and I are enjoying our Space Hulk games almost nightly. They are short enough to play nearly every night, and customizable enough that I foresee a lot of replay ability. Currently, if you google it, there is a program created by a fan that uses the board sections from the game to let you drag and drop them to create a picture of a map, allowing you to publish your own scenarios. I would download it quick though, before the ol' gee-dub drops the "cease and desist" order on him.

Get it HERE

Well, that's it on Space Hulk for now. Next post, I have the test model for the new Tyranid 40k army I have in the works. It is a little different than the concept picture was, but I think it's in a good way.

So until next time,
--FP135