Runewars Epic Fantasy Board Game Perfect for Winter Vacation
Even the box is epic.
Fantasy Flight Games is known for their lavish, detailed and (though I risk abusing the word) epic board games. Twilight Imperium, Descent, World of Warcraft — epic is really the only word that fits. So it’s not a big surprise that they’re the company behind Runewars, a truly epic fantasy board game coming out sometime this winter. Just make sure you keep the fridge and the snack cabinet stocked for that first snow day that comes along, because you and a couple of gaming buddies are going to need all day for this one. You know, on account of it being epic and all.
Runewars is set in Terrinoth, a world not unfamiliar to anyone who’s played other Fantasy Flight games (notably, Descent). Four factions are at war, mustering armies and vying for control of independent warriors who might aid their causes. Not everything happens on massive battlefields, however. Each faction can hire heroes to send out on special quests. They might find the coveted dragon runes, the collection of which ultimately leads to victory.
Designed by Corey Konieczka, Runewars has a few mechanics similar to other Fantasy Flight games. There’s a blend of strategic combat and diplomacy, and each player has a secret goal to accomplish. The playing board is modular, so it’ll be different every time you play.
And what a game board! I’m a big fan of visually striking games (as long as the gameplay is solid, of course), and Runewars might be one of the most beautiful games ever. Not only are the map tiles detailed in rich colors, they’re 3D. The mountains are actually mountainous. You also get your usual assortment of plastic miniatures, almost 200 of them, plus cards, tokens and all the other fun bits and trinkets you expect from a Fantasy Flight game. I don’t mean that to sound ho-hum — Fantasy Flight has established such a benchmark of quality with their board games that we expect the best from them.
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October 15th, 2009 5:52 PM
I see that it’s going to retail for approximately $99.95. Any word on a release date?
October 15th, 2009 5:54 PM
Nothing more specific than “winter.”
October 15th, 2009 7:16 PM
More importantly, where is the new updates for Project: Death Race?
October 15th, 2009 10:35 PM
I was just thinking about that today. We didn’t really get any playtest reports from the last rules update, so it’s sort of been on the shelf. I think I’ll whip it into shape over the winter though, and maybe have some kind of proper release ready for Robot Viking’s 1st birthday.
October 16th, 2009 3:38 AM
I’ve been unable to playtest do to being at college where the only games that exist are D&D Super Smash Brothers, and Heroes of Newearth. I’m amazed these guys were convinced to play D&D.
October 16th, 2009 6:17 AM
This sounds pretty amazing. I’ll have to persuade my university’s rpg club to get a copy of this. Goodness knows we need an epic board game since the guy who owned twilight imperium graduated and moved away…