The Inside Scoop on Gaming

Anyone who has played Battletech knows that games with more than a dozen or so 'Mechs tend to bog down. Basically, the turns take so long that players become bored, and start eying other activities, like sleep, as a solution. Now, however, comes the answer.

Battleforce 2 lets you play Battletech-style battles on a larger scale.

And, it works.

Unlike the first edition of the game, Battleforce 2 has nice and refined gameplay. Things are streamlined, and play a lot like Battletech, only with lances and platoons instead of small groups. What is REALLY impressive is the fact that they have taken all of the 'Mechs you know and love and reduced them to six stats for this game. Yes, I know that might scare some of you - but they are actually neat representatives of a 'Mechs performance, and you might even use it as a scale to measure things against for Battletech...

Also included is the "Planetary Assault" game, taking the scale down even further. The rules for this are more advanced, and seem like they might bog down- as with a lot of campaign style stuff, the book-keeping overwhelms the playing.

Battleforce 2 also includes all of the needed counters (and there are a TON), mapsheets and such you need to play. Keeping with the FASA ideal of a game in a box. Nice.

Complaint department: Only a few. One big one: my book is falling apart! Yes, I know that I can be rough on games, but I only Battletech books from the 1st Edition that have stayed together better. Perhaps I got a bad batch of the glue...

The other, minor complaint: the planetary game is a bit confusing. Given the excellent job done on the main Battleforce game, things might could have been better with this. Still, it IS playable, just not AS playable as Battleforce.

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Battleforce 2 Battletech Warfare on a Grand Scale
Author: Bryan Nystul Category: Wargame Company/Publisher: FASA Cost: $35.00 Page count: 150 Capsule Review by Robert E. Allen III on 03/17/98. Genre tags: none	Anyone who has played Battletech knows that games with more than a dozen or so 'Mechs tend to bog down. Basically, the turns take so long that players become bored, and start eying other activities, like sleep, as a solution. Now, however, comes the answer. Battleforce 2 lets you play Battletech-style battles on a larger scale. And, it works. Unlike the first edition of the game, Battleforce 2 has nice and refined gameplay. Things are streamlined, and play a lot like Battletech, only with lances and platoons instead of small groups. What is REALLY impressive is the fact that they have taken all of the 'Mechs you know and love and reduced them to six stats for this game. Yes, I know that might scare some of you - but they are actually neat representatives of a 'Mechs performance, and you might even use it as a scale to measure things against for Battletech... Also included is the "Planetary Assault" game, taking the scale down even further. The rules for this are more advanced, and seem like they might bog down- as with a lot of campaign style stuff, the book-keeping overwhelms the playing. Battleforce 2 also includes all of the needed counters (and there are a TON), mapsheets and such you need to play. Keeping with the FASA ideal of a game in a box. Nice. Complaint department: Only a few. One big one: my book is falling apart! Yes, I know that I can be rough on games, but I only Battletech books from the 1st Edition that have stayed together better. Perhaps I got a bad batch of the glue... The other, minor complaint: the planetary game is a bit confusing. Given the excellent job done on the main Battleforce game, things might could have been better with this. Still, it IS playable, just not AS playable as Battleforce. Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Battleforce 2 Battletech Warfare on a Grand Scale