| Heroclix makes its debut Usually when I write my game reviews, I stick to video games. However I haven�t played a video game in a while since I discovered this insanely fun new figurine based RPG. Released in time for the Spider-man movie release, this collectible game features the comic book characters of the Marvel Universe. This is the first time that comic book characters have seriously been represented in this manner, and I have to say I like it. For those of you familiar with Figurine RPG�s it plays pretty close to Mage Knights. Which isn�t surprising considering that they�re both made by Wizkids. For those of you who like to write stories to go along with RPG�s, you�ll be pleased to know that not only is it okay, with Heroclix, it�s encouraged! Comic purists will be pleased to know that the powers of each hero and villain are pretty well represented in this game. Figurine purists will appreciate the attention to detail each miniature has. The hair that some of the figurines have looks so real that you will want to comb it. People who like games but are poor will like Heorclix because it is gloriously cheap, with Starter sets retailing for $19.95 and booster sets retailing for $6.95. However every good aspect has to be mirrored by the bad. Heroclix does have its dark shadow. First of all let�s talk packaging; Wizkids hasn�t done a very good job packaging its product. Every booster package is supposed to come with four figurines, however due to poor planning sometimes you�ll only get 3 figurines to a package, getting screwed out of a fourth figurine. However fate does sometimes work in your favor and you might get a fifth figurine in a booster, but I�d like it to remain pretty steady at four per package and it just can�t do that yet. Also a mixed blessing is what you�ll get in a booster or starter. You see Wizkids doesn�t guarantee you a certain amount of commons and rarities per booster. So sometimes you�ll draw nothing but common, weak figurines, however it is also very possible to get a booster with nothing but rare, strong figurines. They make you no promises and some might view this as a good thing. While Heroclix and Mage Knights have very similar fighting systems and the rules can be translated so that they can be played in the same game, officially it�s not supposed to happen. So you have two games with almost identical rules, but you cannot play them as one game. One more problem with this is that it�s hard to get your hands on right now, due to the fact that stupid people go out and buy a case at a time. Which is a bad idea because Wizkids only puts about 25% of the figures on the market at any given time, so it�s wise to proceed from booster to booster. So people buy cases of the figurines, hoping to get a lot of rares but unknowingly dooming themselves to wasted money, and they don�t leave any on the market for those of us who are smart enough to actually buy only a booster or starter at a time. If you�re one of these people I speak of, stop it. The best part of this game is the stuff that�s to come. In June Heroclix releases a big box set of the game, which guarantees you certain figurines. They also release the Sentinel, which towers over the other figurines at just a little under 7 inches, while the rest of the figurines stand at a little under an inch. This means the Sentinel will be powerful. Also they�ll be releasing accessory sets to dress up games a little bit. Later this year however is where they�ll release DC Comics Heroclix, so that you�ll be able to play both Marvel and DC heroes and Villains in game, together or against one-another. This is one of the cheapest figurine games I have seen in a while, sure right now it has some problems. However it�s nothing that cannot be overcome. So go out and try this fun new game. It�s cheap to get into, it�s use of popular heroes like Spider-man offers a sense of familiarity, it�s refreshingly addictive, and in case you haven�t picked up on this important point yet, I�ll state it again. It�s cheap! So buy it and I hope you enjoy it, I know I do! In case I don�t get to say it again, have a good summer. |