Bloodbowl for the Nintendo DS - a gamers view

I don't play video games much nowadays. Although they're quite fun, whenever I switch off I feel like I've just lost time that I could have spent doing something else more rewarding. Also most the games that attract my attention would require hours of play time which I just don't have. I did buy a Nintendo DS lite last year though with the intention of linking up with my son's system the odd time. It's not really worked out that way though as I find that I prefer the interaction of playing a boardgame together rather than Mario Kart on seperate systems. The DS does however act as a Real-Life distraction for 15-20 minutes at various times, so it does have its uses. But before this turns into an essay on my feelings/experiences of video games I'd best move on.

I managed to pick up a copy of Blood Bowl for the Nintendo DS for around £8 last week. You may have read in an earlier post that there is a plan afoot to dust off the Blood Bowl teams for play, along with the admission that I've actually hardly played the game. As a result this post comes from the eyes of an inexperienced gamer who has just picked up the game (if you want a more indepth review from an experienced Blood Bowl player this one may be of interest.).

Blood Bowl on the DS is a direct copy of the boardgame. No real-time play options here - it's boardgame all the way even down to the dice rolls. The standard d6 rolls are automatically done for you (with the sound of dice being shaken and rolled to let you know) but when the blocking dice are rolled and the player is presented with a choice of rolled options (if there are more than one die rolled). The game also runs in strict turn based, square by square, one "miniature" at a time movement/action sequence. The rules are appear to be the same as the standard miniture games rules and are covered in a brief tutorial section. I found them a bit brief to fully follow and new players may want to go to the GamesWorkshop website and download the new rulebook for in-game reference. {HINT - You may also want to download any tactics article as well}

There are 8 different races: Humans, Orcs, Skaven, Dwarfs, Wood Elves, Goblins, Lizardmen and Chaos to play as and against. The default starter teams seem to have the boardgame opening roster skills and restrictions. If you start a new team in a championship be warned: the other teams in your league have already been playing so have some advancements. Each match will generally take over an hour to play. Annoyingly you can't save mid match in "quick game" mode but you can after each of your turns in Championship mode, so after you've run the kick-off for a few trial matches this will probably be the one you'll play. Just as in the "proper" game you start off with nothing but cash and have the choices of what types of player to buy and extras (rerolls, etc) to purchase. The turns are timed to 4 minutes each, which flies by as you waste trying to see the entire pitch. The DS AI is a bit slow and pauses at times as well, but I suppose you could just call this an accurate simulation of playing a human opponent. I've read comments that the AI is tactically weak, but as an inexperienced player myself with only a couple of games under my belt I still find it challenging enough and the Rookie (easy) level.

As a basic overall conclusion I'm pleased with my purchase. The literal boardgame conversion is key here. I'm looking to play the boardgame and this DS version will let me play and practice for the real thing. Will it become too easy? Perhaps, if other reviews/comments are to be taken. But as I'll only be playing 20 minutes at a time usually I don't see myself getting too good anytime soon which is a bonus in this case. But it will give me a Blood Bowl fix when I fancy though. Not worth the full RRP £20-£30 price tag, but well worth the £8 one.

New Player, New Agenda

Well not quite new on either account really. As mentioned in a previous post, my brother, ArabianOtherKnight has come out of a 2 year hiatus and joins us for a game ever odd week.

One game we started to play years ago was Games Workshop's Bloodbowl. We never got much further than a couple of games and enthusiastically collecting up old and new BB teams. More collecting was done than playing, that's for sure.

So when he mentioned an interest in dusting off the rulebooks again I was more than happy. AOK has a few nice 2nd Edition teams in storage at the moment, so they won't be making a showing for a while, but here's what I've dragged out from the back of the cupboard so far. There's a bit of work to be done to bring them up to scratch. I suppose that's the result of a tight budget allowance and ebay.

2nd Edition Elven team. I can remember when and where these were painted - way back in 1991. It show's, but once on the field they are cohesive enough to pass (or run or block, ha,ha!) so aren't marked for a repaint yet.

2nd Edition Undead Team. Now this is a ready (well) painted ebay purchase. Unfortunately I fear these players below to AOK (although so far the mention of them just draws a blank face. I can only hope it's my bad memory as they are v. nice.

A poorly painted out-the-box Human team and Star Player Zug The Mighty. Not much more to say. Actually I do. I remember using this lot to get a grip of the rules again and it's amazing how OK a poorly but consistently painted team uniform can look on field.

Ah, my Skaven team. Again painted around 1991 (but after the elves and it shows). Originally with the left hand troll below and on the last airing a mutant rat ogre was bought from ebay. I've a particular soft spot for this collection of rodents.

The bog standard from the box Orc team. Again purchased off ebay and obviously undercoated ready for a new strip. I suppose I'd best make them the first BB painting I do. Don't want them to get angry!

Another Human team, mostly from the box, but with a couple of metal players. Better painted than their fellow homo-sapiens above so I hope they are happy with their team colours 'cos they ain't changing any time soon!

Two 2nd Ed BB trolls (left hand one in the skaven team colours) and a Dreamscape Ogre marked for recruitment once he drops the club. As a historical note the middle troll was painted by AOK for his mutant team way back when he must have been around the tender age of 13. His painting is better now!