Cyanide Blood Bowl Game Review

Jural · Post by **Jural** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:01 pm

So I got the early download last night, and thought I'd give a quick review. I haven't tried out all parts of the game, so this is more of a "gut feel check."

My background- I have been playing Blood Bowl on and off for 20 years. I played 3rd Edition starting in 1998, and was re-introduced in 2002, where I have played an average of 1-2 game a week since, in online and tabletop leagues. I understand the Blood Bowl rules thoroughly, in other words.

Installation- No problem.

Main Menu Graphics- The loading screen and Main Menu have graphics which remind me of a 1990's video game. Certainly functional, but they have a quasi-realistic, but poorly rendered feel to them.

Options- Basically, there are two ways to play: Classic and Blitz.

Classic : Standard LRB 5 rules (AFAIK.) Menu makes it look boring by representing it with a greyed out "plastic-ish" miniature. Gut reaction- Classic mode is the "beginner" or tutorial mode.

Blitz Menu makes it look as if this is the main game. It has a ton of choices, all toggled on by default. You must walk your way through each choice, and exactly what each choice does is not well explained. I didn't want to experiment with it on the first night too much, to be honest.

My Reaction- The game seems to be aimed towards the Blitz mode. I hope the real-time functionality actually works!

Game Set-up- Once you choose your mode (single player, multi-player, campaign, one off game, etc) you are asked to choose your team, There are several odd points
a) You don't build your team until right before the match starts (pre-existing teams excepted)
b) When you are building a team, you buy players first, and can't see the options to buy re-rolls, cheerleaders, apothecarues, etc. It would be easy to miss out and buy 0 re-rolls, or even understand that you need them!
c) In campaign mode, it isn't clear where you can play, or what you are doing!

First reaction (before taking a single block): The game is unpolished, and may be out of date. Fine for someone who understands the game, but I think it will be intimidating for someone who doesn't.

Gameplay-

Good: The game looks good. The interface is relatively easy to understand. It FEELS like Blood Bowl. With a basic understanding of the game, it is easy to see which moves require dodges, who has already moved, whether your block will be 1, 2 or 3 die, for or against. Passes are likewise easy to understand. The AI on Medium is easily beatable, but no cakewalk. The Hard AI was better, but I don't know if it offers a real challenge. Bottom line- I felt like I was playing Blood Bowl, and it was fun.

Bad: The camera angles on the opponent's turn make it hard to see exactly what is going on. Side Step is difficult to use because of the angle. Understanding KO's, Stuns, and Injuries requires a bit more experience with the game. Honestly, a lot to nitpick when the game is actually going on, but most of it is just nitpicking.

Ugly: The load times are long, and when I had all of the graphics and sound options turned up all the way (the default setting) the game grinds to a halt. There is no option to stop the game midway through without saving- this is probably good for league play, but when you are trying to get an overview of the game, it takes forever. The 4 minute timer is problematic when I'm learning the UI, is it possible to disable it?

Still to test: Blitz Mode, Multiplayer

Verdict to Date: Considering the limitations which are known (only 8 teams) the game is quite fun. No obvious flaws for an experienced Blood Bowl coach. I'm not sure the game is one which can be picked up by a casual player, if one did not understand Blood Bowl, you would need to be motivated to learn it. But for me, the game was playable! Obviously, the meat of the game (online play, team development, experimenting with some of the wacky options in Blitz mode) is something I need to dig into, but so far, it's promising! A solid 8/10 so far.

Grumbledook · Post by **Grumbledook** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:07 pm

regarding the camera angle you can switch it to a standard overhead view, or at least you could in the beta

that should solve your sidestep issues

thanks for the review though, shame they pimped the blitz mode

Gaixo · Post by **Gaixo** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:30 pm

Quite disappointed that the touted "player customization" options consist of choosing from a half dozen options.

It plays really well once you get it figured out. Computer seems a little dopey, but I have the difficulty on medium. I suppose if the AI insists on dodging with dwarves and pushing up on you with skaven, there won't be much single player replay value.

It really feels like an update of the mid-90s PC game. Bare bones, nothing stunning, but a nice practice tool.

Warpstone · Post by **Warpstone** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:42 pm

I've played the first solo tourny on Hard and it's pretty easy to smoke the AI for 4+ TDs a game. Still, the the appeal for me is multiplayer and I'm looking forward to seeing you guys on the online pitch.

Grumbledook · Post by **Grumbledook** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:55 pm

http://bloodbowldigital.com/ site here with info on skinning your teams etc

wedge22 · Post by **wedge22** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:08 pm

I have only played 2 online games since install yesterday and did have alot of errors when playing against a Skaven team and only when his GR was running downfield. Otherwise it does work pretty well but they could do with improving some of the onscreen icons so you know how to use the skills for each player like Leap. I also find it strange that you cannot buy Apocs, Rerolls and Coaches when buying players, it would be easier.
I am really looking for online league play and the game should definately increase my BB skills, but I doubt it can increase my dice luck.

pyttroll · Post by **pyttroll** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:19 pm

The A.I. is really bad, too easy to win against, stupid 2-dice against blocks, stupid dodges, etc...

If it does not get improved the handled versions of the game are going to be useless since you can only play locally.

I'm disappointed...

Darkson · Post by **Darkson** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:23 pm

Patch: http://www.n4g.com/pc/News-351064.aspx

???

Warpstone · Post by **Warpstone** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:50 pm

Darkson wrote:Patch: http://www.n4g.com/pc/News-351064.aspx

???

There was an immediate upgrade to ver 1.10 once you installed the game (the download is ver 1.09). I wonder if the majority of UI problems the pre-reg owners have run into are simply due to the 3D settings not being well tuned. I'm going to try dropping some of the graphics settings to see if it reduces overall lag.

Still, the real-test will be how well the public server handles load once all coaches get their copy....

Post by **GalakStarscraper** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:52 pm

How many of the 4 roster weapons for the Goblins made it in?

I was happy with what Cyanide was trying to do with the game ... but I was disappointed that they were looking at only doing 8 teams and then still not planning on supporting the full rules for the 8 teams they picked.

So did they all make it in or were any not in?

Galak

Gaixo · Post by **Gaixo** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:55 pm

All but the bombardier are in.

wedge22 · Post by **wedge22** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:51 pm

And the Bombadier is probably the most fun after the Fanatic

I am hoping that Warpstone and I can setup some kind of private league this evening for testing purposes, I am thinking that any TBB player in the PST-EST timezones should be welcome, once we work it out.

Wylder · Post by **Wylder** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 11:28 pm

Where the hell are babes, wizards and assistant coaches?

My skaven team will be none to happy about not being able to take babes and wizards.

Grumbledook · Post by **Grumbledook** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 11:29 pm

they weren't in the beta...

Wylder · Post by **Wylder** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 11:33 pm

Yeah, I know. I was just vainly holding out hope they would shove them into the full release. Babes and assistant coaches don't even really need models!