X-Wing Miniatures Game First Look

I tried out the new (as of 2012) X-Wing miniatures game from Fantasy Flight. For those who have played the old Wings of War WWI aerial combat game (which I own and was published by Fantasy Flight) and the sequel of it by Ares you will find the movement system similar.

The gameplay takes several steps beyond in elegant complexity by having different pilots able to pilot the same miniature for more points. Ships are also upgradable in many categories like skill, torpedoes, and droids depending on the ship chosen. Each class of ship also has special actions they can do to give them an edge although difficult red colored maneuvers prevent the ship from taking an action and earns them a stress token. This token can be removed by performing an easier green maneuver. For example the above Tie Advanced performing a "corrigan" (move forward four and reverse direction) cannot do an action and earns a stress token but next turn can perform a green action and is back in the fight again. Al these rules are easy to learn and use in the game.

The miniatures are fantastic looking right out of the box. Several people on the interwebs have made their own paint schemes to great effect. The game is played on a three foot by three foot surface and although it seems small has plenty of room. The mat pictured above was procured by my friend from Gale Force Nine.

It has been recommended to me that a great starting spot for getting into the game is two starters and a booster each of the X-wing and Tie Fighter (for bonus pilots). That will enable you to play multiple 50 point games before getting more ships. They have booster packs for many ships in the Star Wars universe.

Will I get this game? Not now but once I sell my Wings of War to make room I will. Which is a big regret as I love WWI aerial combat but none of my friends wanted to play it after I purchased it and with this game they definitely won't. There is also a Star Trek: Attack Wing miniatures game from Heroclix coming out soon that uses the same movement system as X-Wing (under license). That may be something to pick up to have some variety in my gaming groups.