" . . . here's the handoff to Gronk . . . around left end . . . gets a great block from Borgard and tries to squeeze through the hole . . . no! Furrfoot connects with a VICIOUS tackle and it looks like Gronk's out for good!"
"You said it, Jim. Judging from the amount of blood pouring out of that head wound, there's no way he'll be back in the game today."
If Blood Bowl had announcers, this is the kind of stuff you'd hear them say. The popular miniatures boardgame from Games Workshop has been around for quite awhile, and now, thanks to Microleague, it's coming to the PC. Sports lovers, take note: This is NOT a football game. It's a strategy boardgame loosely based on football. It also happens to be a load of fun, so you might want to try it out anyway.
Blood Bowl works like this . . . you choose one of several teams comprised of creatures of different races (dwarves, elves, orcs, halflings, etc.). Each race has specific strengths and weaknesses. Some are fast but weak . . . some can throw like Marino but can't run to save their lives. If you're a strategist, devise a game plan and select the team that fits it best. If you're more the gung-ho type, choose the team that looks the coolest and devise your game plan as you go. You can win either way.
The beta copy I played with contained 8 teams, but we expect more in the final version. Players are rated in four categories and, depending on which position they play, can possess special abilities as well. Players with special abilities are more valuable, and are equivalent to "star players" in real football. Blood Bowl players are all multi-functional . . . there's no designated "quarterbacks" or "running backs". However, one or more of your players may possess the "Strong Arm" skill or something along those lines, and you'd want him to be your main passer. Right-clicking on any player brings up his attributes and stats. There doesn't appear to be any fatigue factor, so you only need to substitute players due to injury or . . . well, death.
Rather than using a time clock, Blood Bowl designates each half by turns. Each team receives eight turns per half, with no time limit. The objective of each turn is to carry or pass the ball into the other team's endzone, just like in real football. Your job as coach is to move your players and perform special actions to reach this objective. Each player can be moved once per turn, up to a certain number of spaces which varies depending on his agility rating. Diagonal moves, surprisingly, count only as one move, so most players can cover a lot of ground each turn. Once one of your players gets in close proximity to an opponent, he may attempt to perform actions such as blocking and tackling. The popular boardgame uses dice to determine the results of an attempt . . . here, everything's done internally, so you just click the button of the action you want to perform and your player will either do it or he won't. Regardless of the outcome, the sound effects are both gruesome and hilarious and you'll crack up laughing when your poor lineman gets splatted into a gooey heap. Believe me, you will.
Like any good football game (which this really isn't . . . it's a good NON-football game . . . ), Blood Bowl features league play and full seasons. Arrange the teams in conferences and divisions as you see fit, then choose one and play out its schedule. There's even an option for signing free agents. Make no mistake . . . this game is a terrific translation of the tabletop game and will be even better by the time it's finished. Avid fans of Blood Bowl should pounce on this version . . . it's a great way to play when you don't have any friends handy.
