Space Crusade (1990) – Board Game Guys

Space Crusade

Space Crusade is an adventure board game produced by Milton Bradley in collaboration with Games Workshop. It was first released in 1990 and was available in several countries, including the UK, Finland, Ireland, France, Spain, Denmark, Australia, and New Zealand. In some countries, it is known as Star Quest. The game is set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe and involves Space Marine scout squads boarding a Tyranid ship to sabotage its delicate internal organs.

Why is Space Crusade Popular?

Space Crusade is popular and significant for several reasons:
– It is a classic board game from the early 1990s, a time when adventure board games were gaining popularity.
– The game is set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, a widely known and beloved science fiction universe.
– It uses 28 mm plastic Citadel Miniatures as play pieces and modular board pieces to represent the innards of the Hive ship, making it visually appealing and engaging.
– The game has a faithful video game conversion, which adds to its popularity among fans of the franchise.

Game Components of Space Crusade

50 figures, including 3 Marine Commanders, 12 Space Marines, 8 Orks, 14 Gretchin, 3 Genestealers, 1 Chaos Marine Commander, 4 Chaos Space Marines, 4 Androids, and 1 Dreadnought.

64 Playing Cards, comprising three sets of 12 Chapter cards and 28 Alien event cards.

32 blip tokens.

12 rank badges and 6 honour badges.

1 Alien control panel.

24 doors.

6 combat dice.

3 marine reference charts.

32 reinforcement counters.

1 primary mission token and 1 secondary mission token.

4 marks of Chaos.

4-piece gameboard with walls.

3 marine landing docks with airlocks.

3 Commander Scanners with Slides.

Rule book and 24-page Mission Manual.

Advanced rules book for Advanced Space Crusade.

How To Setup Space Crusade

Setting up Space Crusade is a meticulous process. Players start by assembling the modular board, which includes the gameboard pieces, doors, and marine landing docks. The Alien player sets up the board according to the mission requirements outlined in the Mission Manual. Each mission has a specific board layout and starting conditions that both the space marines and the Alien player must follow. The game requires careful placement of blip tokens, which represent potential alien threats, and the distribution of various game components such as Chapter cards, Alien event cards, and reinforcement counters.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Player Turns: Players take turns, with one player controlling the aliens and the others controlling Space Marine teams.

Combat: Uses combat dice for resolving attacks, with a significant chance of missing due to the dice being mostly blank.

Scanning: Marine players scan areas to reveal blip tokens, which can turn into various alien threats.

Mission Completion: Players complete primary and secondary missions to score points.

Reinforcements: Players can receive reinforcements based on the mission and their performance.

Game Objective

The objective is for the Space Marine players to complete their missions and return to their docking vessel while the Alien player aims to stop them.

Points are scored for completing missions, killing enemy units, and deducted for losing units.

The player with the most points at the end of the game wins and can be promoted to the next rank, unlocking additional orders and equipment.

Player Experience

Playing Space Crusade can be an exciting and strategic experience. The game pits Space Marine teams against a diverse array of alien threats, including Chaos Space Marines, Orks, and Genestealers. Each player must carefully manage their resources, use special equipment and orders, and navigate the dangers of the space hulk. The game can be quite long, often spanning several days or even weeks when played as a campaign. Despite its complexity, the game offers a rich and immersive experience for fans of the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

Pros

Variety of Miniatures: The game includes a wide range of detailed and varied miniatures.

Strategic Depth: Players must engage in careful calculations and strategic planning.

Competitive Element: The game allows for competitive play among Space Marine teams and against the Alien player.

Immersive Setting: It accurately captures the grim, dark universe of Warhammer 40,000.

Cons

Complex Setup: The setup process is time-consuming and fiddly.

Game Balance Issues: The game mechanics can be unbalanced, particularly in terms of the Alien player’s ability to swarm the Marines early in the game.

Limited Alien Player Role: The Alien player’s role is less dynamic compared to a traditional Game Master in RPGs.

Weighted Dice: The combat dice are heavily weighted towards missing, which can lead to frustrating gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on Space Crusade

Space Crusade is a game tailored for fans of the Warhammer 40,000 universe and those who enjoy strategic, competitive board games. While it has its flaws, particularly in game balance and setup complexity, it offers a unique and engaging experience. It is ideal for players who are willing to invest time in learning the rules and setting up the game, and it serves as a great introduction to the Warhammer 40,000 setting for younger players or newcomers to the franchise. However, for those seeking a more streamlined or cooperative gameplay experience, other options might be more appealing.

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