I know this is kinda off-topic somewhat, but there doesn't seem to be a general forum for this kinda thing (unless I can't see it for looking). So anyway, I was thinking of buying a battle/wargame with a sci-fi/fantasy/horror (any or all) theme and wondered if someone here could recommend one or more... apart from War of the Ring.... be it a FFG title or otherwise?

Well. When I hear SciFi Horror War, I think DOOM. But I'm a huge DOOM nut.

I find it fun as hell, but I've also modded it to bejeezus and back.

DOOM immediately came to my mind as well. Are you looking for small scale tactical combat or larger scale warfare (Such as most miniatures cames)? Mutant Chronicles looks cool for the latter, though I haven't tried it myself.

Do you have an opponent?

If so then GW specialist games offer a good go at fantasy/sci-fi with free rules and cheap minis on eBay.

If not it will take you more effort to find an opponent than it is worth.

I was thinking something along the lines of Mutant Chronicles, Tide of Iron type games. Not something that requires a large investment in buying extra miniature sets, if at all. As for scale, large or small, though leaning more towards 'battlefields' as opposed to X-com style small scale group tactics or global/galactic conflicts. Rule/mechanic wise, nothing too light but not the opposite extreme.

Isn't Doom similar to Descent, or is just some of the mechanics that are similar?

Nyogtha said:

Ok, but you can pick a decent size force up off of eBay for the same price as one of those titles with a little luck.

Battlelore might be something for you.

Nyogtha said:

Yes, Kevin recycled a lot of the mechanics from Doom for Descent, though there are some changes (Like how armor works in combat). Thamatically, they are worlds apart, and from what I've heard of Descent they play very different too, with one being a standard dungeon crawl and the other be an intense race against time and demonic hordes to get the hell out (Usually with a far lower success rate).

Ah, cool, might have to check Doom out next time round then.

Anyways, thanks for the replies peeps, keep 'em coming if you've any more suggestions. Called in at a local gaming shop this afternoon and picked up a copy of Battlelore (Days of Wonder copy) for less than half the list price which was nice. Going to compare rulebooks for differences between this copy and the FFG release, and so I guess I will direct any more questions regarding BL on the correct forum. Thanks again.

That game with Rune in its name is fun. Pretty much any game is fun...Elffin thinks that what it's called you have to visits cities with movement cards to win...simple fun!

Or maybe I won't compare rules since FFG have not released a revised edition yet, doh!

MrsGamura said:

Runebound? I'm dying to get it, but finances are extremely tight right now (College student).

Eddie said:

I second this. I was going to suggest it when I first read the OP but it seemd that everyone was going the sci-fi route.

The FFG titles mentioned above are great choices. A non-FFG horror game you should consider is Last Night On Earth. Not really a wargame, but it has a lot of combat and strategy. Heroscape is another possible choice that more matches the wargame type that you may like.