Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Board to death...

I really like board games. Even if the game play experience is so-so, I'm heavily attracted to the quality of the components. This brings up an interesting quandary: 'Miniatures' in board games!

When I was growing up, my friend had a copy of "Dungeon!" by TSR, which was your basic dungeon crawl. By today's standards, it looked garage-made. The art was concept at best, the cards looked like they were typed on a typewriter, and I think the character pieces were colored strips of cardboard (the Barbarian was blue).

Nowadays, board games are much more production-savvy. Compare "Dungeon!" to "Descent" and it's like comparing a Ford Escort hatchback to the Space Shuttle. But here is my hang-up-- when board games use miniatures, they are rarely done well. Now I know what you're thinking, and you're right: 'Minis are not the focus of a board game!' However, I would argue that the 'experience' should be the focus. Some games use colored wooden blocks, cardboard chits and what have you. That's fine. I don't mind that Settlers of Catan is 2D with some plastic shapes. But dammit, I want miniatures to represent my characters in Arkham Horror!

I know the next thing you're going to say, and you're right again: "FFG just put out pre-painted character minis for Arkham Horror." But... have you seen them?! I'm not going to use a mini if it isn't better than the printed cardboard standee that the box originally came with. I'm sorry, but if it looks like my kid painted it (she's only a month old) then that doesn't really capture the flavor of my character, now does it? When you have 8 year old kids in China scrambling to paint little black dots in the character's eyes, the effect is that my brave fighter or powerful warlord has a look of utter shock or surprise. Worse yet, if those dots aren't centered on the mini's EYES, then it looks like my character has some sort of lifetime brain trauma.

The effect it has on game play is psychologically damaging. I can't get excited when the artwork on the box portrays an awesome Barbarian warrior, but the mini looks like it came out of a bag of drug-store grade toys. Bottom line for me-- if you're going to charge $90 and up for a board game, don't skimp on the components. Keep them consistent. Either make ALL the components terrible, or make them ALL the same level of awesome.

I so rarely find good minis in a board game. Some do, and those deserve credit. Space Hulk is just one example. And don't get me wrong, I don't use these minis for anything else. And I don't care if they're painted. Just don't embarrass yourself, Mr. Game Publisher.

Are there board game minis that you think are awesome? What about the worst of all-time? Let me know!

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