December 14, 2009
It's the ides of December, and that means only one thing: the new massive Axis & Allies Pacific 1940 version of our favorite wargaming franchise is shipping from stores. You can order your copy from Amazon and Funagain Games and still get it under the Christmas Tree if you act fast! We hate to sound like a board gaming infomercial but, well, there you go.
This is a substantial release. Pacific 1940 incorporates the new rules from last year's limited Axis & Allies Anniversary Edition. That edition sold so well that it's nigh impossible to get your hands on it unless you're willing to shell out 200 bucks.
So what does this game have over the recently released Axis & Allies Spring 1942 Well this puppy has a new large format board, new - and more importantly, interesting - rules surrounding the war in China, new units, the combat rules, new damage rules, the works. And everything is souring-high with top notch production values, too.
And most interesting is the Pacific theater of the game. Fleet and invasion combat is always fun, but now you're fighting over a huge version the Pacific. Guadalcanal is just a blip on the radar of an epic land, air and sea campaign ranging all the way from the USA, to Australia ( who plays a role in this title) on up to the Philippians, Burma, China, and rolling on into Japan. And lead designer Larry Harris has gone on the record that A&A; Pacific 1940 will work in conjunction with an upcoming European Theater Release next year.
Man, we can't wait to get those two in a room together. Seriously, talk about epic.
For more information about Axis & Allies Pacific 1940, please see our previous stories:
- Axis & Allies Pacific 1940 Details
- Axis & Allies Pacific 1940 Previews at AxisAndAllies.org
- Axis & Allies Campaign Setting Timeline
Here are the official details:
Axis & Allies celebrates 25 years of strategy war gaming with the release of this deluxe theater-level game in December 2009. Axis & Allies Pacific 1940, designed and developed by Larry Harris, utilizes the updated rules established in the A&A; Anniversary Edition.
Two new combat units debut in this game, Tactical Bombers and Mechanized Infantry. Australia and New Zealand, joined together as the ANZAC forces, debut as a new playable ally. China fields more forces than ever before, but will need all the help they can get from their allies the United States, ANZAC and the UK to withstand the might of Imperial Japan.Axis & Allies Pacific 1940 features an oversized board that measures 35 wide by 32 high. With over 450 pieces, deluxe game components and local storage boxes, this game raises the standard established by the A&A; Anniversary Edition.
All new rules for neutral nations, naval & air bases, kamikaze attacks and convoy disruption add even more depth and historical accuracy to this giant game.For 2 - 4 players.
Axis & Allies Pacific 1940 is shipping from Amazon and Funagain Games.
Critical Gamers Staff at
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December 10, 2009
First up are the nasty, highly aggressive, and diseased ridden ratmen of The Skavenblight Threat [Amazon, Funagain]. These guys are the dregs of society. We're talking punch a baby in the face rotten, and they're not afraid to show it.
In fact, some of the skaven have a nasty little trick up their sleeve: they're willing to corrupt themselves if it helps the great good. Or at least what they conceive to be the greater good , which is probably eating rights to a moldy piece of blood sausage.
Fantasy Flight Games has released a series of previews detailing some of the marquee cards of the expansion:
- The Alpha Rat
- Fight With Your Bear Hands
- The Hunters Become the Prey
Here are the official details:
The armies of Order are locked in a fierce struggle with the forces of Destruction. And now a new threat, the Skaven, make their way into the Warhammer: Invasion card game.
The Skavenblight Threat is the first monthly Battle Pack installment of The Corruption Cycle, a linked expansion series for Warhammer: Invasion, a card game of intense warfare, clever kingdom management, and epic questing. This 40 card pack contains 20 different never-before-seen cards designed to augment existing decks and add variety to the Warhammer: Invasion metagame.
CONTAINS CARDS 1-20 of THE CORRUPTION CYCLE.
The Skavenblight Thread is now shipping from Amazon and Funagain Games.
Critical Gamers Staff at
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December 8, 2009
BoardToDeath.tv looks like it means business. While it only just recently launched, they've already churned out numerous good board game reviews. Above is their review of our favorite game over the last year: Dominion. We haven't seen it so clearly and quickly explained anywhere. Also we love the driving music in a lot of the reviews, which makes some of the reviews pop.
On the downside some of the vocals in the earlier reviews seem a bit forced and over enunciated. You can tell the hosts are reading from a sheet while also trying to maintain a level of excitement. Slight bickering, for sure, but hey we are CriticalGamers. Over time the reviewers have really honed their skills, though, and the latest reviews are a lot better in this regard.
Nice work guys. Keep up the good work! We can see this being one of the go-to video review sites for board games as we roll into the next decade.
Other recent reviews of games that might interest you:
We'll keep you posted as more interesting video reviews emerge.
Critical Gamers Staff at
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December 5, 2009
Our friends over at AxisAndAllies.org have started a drum up to this year's biggest A&A; release: Axis & Allies Pacific 1940. The first two articles are a series of images of the components of the game, including detailed images of the various factions' unit sculptures, the board, the rules, national setups, the works:
- A&A; Pacific 1940 Preview 1: Japan Units, Box, Rulebook, and Bits
- A&A; Pacific 1940 Preview 2: Units and Setup for USA, ANZAC, UK, and China
And they promise that there's more info to come as we approach Axis & Allies Pacific 1940's release on December 15th.
Just a quick lowdown on the game: this installment is essentially the spirited offspring Axis and Allies Anniversary Limited Edition drilled-down to the Pacific Theater only. It features rules and large format board just like it's predecessor, but will hopefully have a more extensive production run (last year's 50th Edition is selling for 170 bucks + these days).
Then next year, in an exciting move, Avalon Hill will release a second installment for the European theater. Nigh-official scuttlebut has it that this European edition will be compatible with this Pacific Edition, and combining the two will create the largest most epic A&A; experience to date.
For more information about A&A; Pacific 1940, please also see our previous story: Axis & Allies Pacific 1940 Details
Critical Gamers Staff at
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December 1, 2009
WoW TCG Scourgewar
is now shipping from Amazonin both individual Booster Packs and in Booster Boxes. Funagain Games also has Booster Packs. TrollandToad.com has boxes, packs, and individual cards.
Yes, it's out. The new World of Warcraft Trading Card Game Expansion Scourgewar brings the game to the frozen tundra of Icecrown. Eventually the expansion will lead to the steps of both Naxxaramas and the Lich King in two different raid decks, but for now expect tons of Death Knight content to breathe life into the new class. The expansion includes new mechanics and keywords: "Assault" buffs allies who are attacking (in much the way bosses have +attack while attacking). "Mend" is all over the place, in Allies and Equipment, and allows Heroes or Allies to passively heal your hero or allies each turn. Mounts are a new type of cheap allies that augment your abilities in a similar way that Locations compliment Quests. There's also focus on class-specific mechanics so that you're hero will have more of an effect on your deck than just its flip power. And perhaps most exciting when it comes to new content are the new Nerubian faction; a new choice other than Aldor and Scryer, but with a cast of giant undead spider demons. You can't go wrong with spider demons.
Oh man, is it game night yet?
Critical Gamers Staff at
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November 30, 2009
Amazon is having a sweet sale today putting a lot of their board game stock down at discounted prices. Click here to enter the sale page.
Titles on sale include the flagships of board gaming, including the Settlers of Catan 4th Edition, Apples to Apples, and Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne and this year's biggest hit Dominion all at 25% off.
Both Battlestar Galactica and Puerto Rico are still some of the best games around, and they're at 50% off, as are some of the old school games like Monopoly, Yahtzee -- in case you want to impart some classic gaming on your kids or grand kids.
Critical Gamers Staff at
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The good folks at Funagain Games have posted their Holiday Buyer's guide (not to be confused with ours). You can check it out here.
Some of the games are on the older side, but they're still some of the best classics around. Games like Ticket to Ride, Puerto Rico, and Power Grid (which made our Holiday Guide, too).
But that's from their General Holiday Guide. They also have Holiday Guides for kids, family games, party games - the works. Just check the bottom of the page here.
Critical Gamers Staff at
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One of the top notch board game and card game publishers is Fantasy Flight Games, and their Holiday Sale is already in full swing.
For board games they have Lord of the Rings expansion, Lord of the Rings Confrontation expansions, Cave Troll, and World or Warcraft board game expansions on sale. There's also a huge sale on A Game of Thrones Collectible Card Game, the Call a Cthulu CCG, and Mutant Chronicles Miniatures game.
There's a lot going on here!
Critical Gamers Staff at
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The online gaming store Troll and Toad usually has some of the best prices around, and now they've discounted a selection of games for the Holidays. Click here for the Holiday Sale.
While there are some board games, the emphasis seems to be on collectible card games. The flagship products: Magic the Gathering based, Yu Gi Oh, and Pokemon booster packs and boxes of boosters from sets released over the last year or so.
Critical Gamers Staff at
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November 27, 2009
Welcome to the one-stop index page for all of our Holiday Board Game Gift Ideas for 2009! There have been some tremendous games that were released this year. Some released created new genres of games, others lovingly refined old formulas. We'll break down these top releases and let you know the perfect present for your gaming friend or love one, all while avoiding the frenetic crowds and annoying cell phone vendors at your crazy local mega mall.
So lets kick things off with our favorite game of the last year, Dominion, which has two new expansions this year!
Continue reading: "Critical Gamers' 2009 Holiday Gift Guide"
Critical Gamers Staff at
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Axis & Allies Pacific 1940 Board Game is Now Shipping !
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