by igor1970
Runewars is still my favorite multiplayer combat strategy game. With its coffin-size box, plastic mountains and almost 200 plastic miniatures it is the relic of golden times of boardgaming industry and Konieczka/Wilson era at FFG.There are many reasons why I like it so much, but there are few:
* It is only complex FFG game which does not require expansion or 2nd edition to be perfect.
* Game does not encourage trash talk – and this is part of design, for example biding winner gets reward or each other player loses something. So there is no need to trash talk. At the same time there is room for diplomacy. For comparison, Dominant Species is heavy dependant on trash-talk, those cards can really hurt you if you are not assertive
* Variable map and different races with different units makes game experience fresh – compare it to Game of Thrones where map is fixed all time. After 40+ games it still feels fresh and each game feels like different experience.
* Game play is streamlined, but not simplified – this game feels like 2010. design. Compare it to Twilight Imperium, game mechanics are almost similar, but almost every aspect of game goes more smoothly.
* Game length – it has sweet spot of 3-4 hours, which is not too short so game can have epic feel, while still short enough to be able to play it on workday evening.
* Strategy is not obvious, but can be played by newbies – new player can have fun, but experience players will have advantage.
There are only few worthy games in genre of epic multiplayer combat strategy so you probably owe it to yourself to try it all. Beside already mentioned (Twilight Imperium, Game of Thrones, Dominant Species) I would only recommend few multiplayer wargames (Here I Stand and Successors) but these are different kind of beasts. But Runewars will be always your safe choice!