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Alien vs Predator: The Hunt Begins (2015) Board Game

ByMichail

Alien vs Predator: The Hunt Begins is a board game based on the popular science fiction franchise featuring the iconic creatures from the Alien and Predator movies. Released in 2015 by Prodos Games, Ltd, the game allows players to take on the roles of either the deadly Aliens, the technologically advanced Predators, or the brave Colonial Marines as they battle it out in a fierce three-way struggle for supremacy.

Game Components of Alien vs Predator: The Hunt Begins

  • Models:** 10 Infant Aliens, 5 Stalker Aliens, 3 Predators, 5 Colonial Marines.
  • Dice:** 3 D20 Dice.
  • Cards:** Alien Stat Cards, Predator Stat Cards, Colonial Marine Stat Cards, Environmental Cards, Mission Cards, and Strategy Cards for each faction.
  • Board Game Tiles:** Various corridor and room tiles, including straight corridors, crossroads, T-shapes, L-shapes, dead-end tiles, air vent tiles, and specific rooms like the lab and escape capsule.
  • Other Peripherals:** Wound, Ping!, Activated, Sentry, Hide, and Objective Tokens, along with door pieces.

    How To Setup Alien vs Predator: The Hunt Begins

    Setup involves each player rolling a D20 to determine initiative, with the highest roll going first. The game starts with ping tokens representing miniatures on the radar, which are flipped over as line of sight is established. Environmental cards are drawn at the beginning of each turn, introducing various effects such as broken steam valves and acidic blood from dead aliens.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Action Point System:** Each model has two action points, allowing for movements, attacks, and special actions.
  • Alternate Activations:** Players take turns activating their models one by one.

    Game Objective

  • Survival:** Players aim to survive against each other and the hostile environment.
  • Capture the Objective:** Various mission objectives, such as capturing specific areas or eliminating enemies.

    Player Experience

    The game offers a complex yet engaging experience, blending wargaming and board game mechanics. Players need to strategically use their miniatures’ unique abilities, such as the Colonial Marines’ access to sentry actions and grenade launchers, the Predators’ camouflage and vocal mimicry, and the aliens’ ability to return to camouflage on infested tiles.

    Pros

  • Detailed Miniatures:** High-quality, detailed miniatures that capture the essence of the Alien and Predator franchises.
  • Varied Gameplay:** Multiple play modes, including narrative-driven missions and free-for-all games like ‘Survival’ and ‘Last human/Alien/Predator standing’.
  • Strategic Depth:** Rich in thematic actions and environmental effects, requiring strategic planning.

    Cons

  • Poor Rulebook:** The rulebook is criticized for being poorly written, lacking flavor, and having missing letters and idiotic keywords.
  • Low-Quality Cards:** Cards are made from subpar material, lacking the thematic elements and quotes from the movies.
  • Packaging Issues:** Mediocre packaging with damaged components, such as the rulebook and foam inserts, has been reported.

    Personal Thoughts on Alien vs Predator: The Hunt Begins

    This game is ideal for fans of the Alien and Predator franchises who enjoy complex, strategic gameplay. Despite its flaws, such as the poor rulebook and card quality, the game’s detailed miniatures and immersive gameplay mechanics make it a compelling choice for those who appreciate a challenge. However, it may not be the best fit for casual players due to its complex rules and setup.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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