So first I must admit, I've never played the table top game before, but I have read the rules and it seemed like it would have been fun. Create a Warband, complete missions to earn rewards, have characters gain great skills, but also suffer negative effects from battles. For me, this sounded like fun and it seems that this game has all that. A character turn-based game with four factions so far including my beloved Skaven, but also Human Mercenaries (Empire basically), Sisters of Sigmar and Cult of the Possessed (Chaos).
I did play the Early Access version of the game and like most things in early access, it went from good, to bad, to good etc. Trying to create game balance isn't easy and it takes time. While I haven't played multiplayer since it officially released as a complete game, it was fun, though I imagine it's gotten a lot harder as players have characters with different gear and skill options, probably making it a bit harder to balance.
Some of the features I do like from the start of it is the Veteran system. In this, you complete objectives over time to earn XP, but unlike leveling a warband, this is account base. As such, you can level it up further even if the warband you were playing as had disbanded and you started a new one. The more it levels, the more gold you start off with when you create a new warband. As such, I do find myself constantly looking back at it's list to see if there are any ones I can focus on to help level it up.
Another one is the Smuggler's Den. It is here that you can send your collected Wyrdstone to various factions where you earn reputation and gold. Reaching a certain amount of reputation gains you a level rank with them and unlocking each rank grants your warband a bonus. It is here that you will also encounter certain challenge and the first faction (since I'm Skaven it's the Murderlord of Clan Eshin) will sometimes demand a certain weight of Wyrdstone to be sent to them and gives you a time limit to complete it. This may not seem bad at first, but if your leader gets taken out and needs time to recover, then you can end up wasting valuable time waiting for him to recover. As such, ranking up that one early for the extra day can be quite useful.
Much like the table top game, there is a certain element of risk and chance involved. Do you jump into a mission with random set-up or do you want to do it yourself (though there are a few missions where you don't get that choice)? Do you focus on Dodge or Parry as your defence skills? Do you risk casting that spell knowing there is a possibility that the backlash may kill the caster? It may sound complicated, but it isn't that bad. You'll find that after a few games you do start to get the hang of your crew and learn to use them better. So far my problems revolve around simply having bad luck at times, but then I've only ever fired one warrior due to them being too much of a risk for my warband and have yet to actually have someone die from their injuries.
It's hard to say how to recommend this game, as unless your a fan of Mordheim or a fan of the various factions in the game, some might find it not to their taste. It's dark and Gothic in it's style, the gameplay is in a turn base-style and it's story isn't exactly Shakespeare. That said, for someone like me, it gives me a decent enough challenge and Skaven fun that I can enjoy myself for hours.
Oh yes, they have also started adding paid DLC characters to the game, with a Clan Skryre Poisoned Wind Globadier for the Skaven. I've had a blast using these guys.
Finally, a chance to speak-squeak. Though this take place long ago, Mordheim filled with much-much glory for Skavendom. Still, why Eshin have own Sorcerers.....hmmmm, me sense treachery afoot.
~Grey Seer Skratchnsniff
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