Infinity - Style Over Substance?

For something different, I thought that I would try a system that I have seen in the past that looks visually, very interesting - "Infinity". These are some thoughts on these products:-

First off, you can purchase a 'starter set', which is an all-in-one battle system. It includes figures, tokens, dice, starter booklet, buildings and battle mats etc. Impressive! (It cost £84 inc. P&P). Actually, good value.

The other great thing is that the rules are hosted for FREE online. A big bonus, in my opinion.

That said, I have some thoughts:

1. Figures - Corvus Belli - excellent, extremely highly detailed, beautiful metal models, but the design fault is that they are 'top heavy'. The bases they come with are plastic, so they tend to fall over easily and don't take to transportation in a box very well. Hence, the need to make a container box for them (see below). Also, they are EXPENSIVE.

2. Rules - free online. Great. However, these are very detailed SLOW skirmish rules. Not my thing. I haven't got the time to spend hours on working out the finer points of these rules, nor would any of my potential opponents, I suspect.

3. Scenery - This is the best part of Infinity, I think. The scenery is made from 3mm printed cardboard and is easy to assemble and very atmospheric. Near future/cyberpunky.... Highly recommended.

4. Dice, templates, booklets - Not my thing. The templates, for instance, could be just downloaded and printed off online and believe me, I don't need any more dice.

Overall, some great ideas here and this is a highly sophisticated concept. That said, it won't be something that I will be getting into, although the buildings/terrain should come in useful for other sci-fi projects!

Top heavy figures need a 'transporter'

Is this guy from the crusades???

Bad. Ass.

Really? A sword on the 3000s? Unlikely.

"Where's the frickin' space bar on this keyboard thingy?"

Looks like the .UN special forces., or something...

Anyway...give Infinity a go! Great figures, super scenery and in-depth rules.

Stargrave - First Game in the 'Ravaged Galaxy'

This was our first attempt at playing 'Stargrave' - sci fi skirmish rules. It was set on some bleak, dark, post industrial futuristic world in which both gangs of intergalactic renegades had to collect loot, kill the opposition and avoid being killed.

The rules worked very well. The game mechanics are straightforward and we churned through the turns more quickly as we progressed, as we got used to the sequence. They are fun rules that enable you to develop an ongoing narrative which, in our game, included extreme cowardice, falling off buildings and extensive use of a flame-thrower!

The figures are from the excellent Games Workshop 'Necromunda' range, which can be used effectively for Stargrave. The terrain is also heavily influenced by the Necromunda setting, although it comprises of inexpensive MDP sci fi terrain and homemade pieces.