The Inside Scoop on Gaming

P> SHOCKWAVE
A SUPPLEMENT FOR OGRE/GEV
STEVE JACKSON GAMES
HTTP://WWW.SJGAMES.COM/OGRE
PART 7201
ISBN 1-55634-435-X
SRP: 9.95 USD

OGRE/GEV fans, unite! Steve Jackson Games has gotten off the pot and re-released his first and best success, OGRE/GEV. This time around, SJG has kicked out the chocks and sunk some money in revitalizing the entire game line. For starters, the entire previous product line, OGRE/GEV, THE OGRE BOOK, SHOCKWAVE, and OGRE REINFORCEMENT PACK has been re-released, along with a new line of OGRE MINIATURES (made from the old Ral Partha molds), the OGRE BATTLEFIELDS pack, and GURPS: OGRE. Clearly SJG is going back to basics.

This is a review of the Shockwave re-release . I presume that if you are reading this, you have some knowledge of the original games that spawned this series. If you have no clue, I refer you to a couple of very decent RPG.NET reviews of the parent game system, one by Tomas Skucas and one by Otto Cargill. Being a shameless drooling fan-boy of the OGRE/GEV system, there's not much I would disagree with there; I certainly don't have to repeat it. I believe Mr. Cargill's review is the most up-to-date.

First of all, I suspect you are reading this because you are a fan of the series, in which case you probably know what Shockwave is already. You already KNOW that SHOCKWAVE is the definitive expansion for the OGRE/GEV game system. This is the one to buy, and possibly OGRE BATTLEFIELDS.

The Shockwave system introduces a new map-- a map that fits in best with the GEV universe, being a rehash of GEV's green fields and woodlands, and grey urban terrain. The Shockwave map is a coastal map with a large, mult-hex inlet extending into the middle of the map. No new terrain here; essentially the same terrain considerations as were introduced in the GEV game-- Woods, Clear, Swamp, Road, Bridge, and City. The Shockwave map is a bit 'fiddly' to match up with the GEV map, as I believe they were printed in a slightly different scale by accident. It can be done, however.

The real strength of the game are the new combat units, which extends GEV's tactical options by a wide margin:

LGEV (Light GEV): The GEV's little brother, Lightly armed and Armored. Only half the cost of regular units.
SUPERHVY (Superheavy Tank): The HVY's BIG brother. Very tough, and expensive. Has an awesome firepower rating but moves slowly.
MAR (Marine Infantry): Slightly more expensive than INF units, these 22nd century jarheads can walk on water. Just ask their CO.
MSL CRWLER (Missile Crawler, with and without a missile): This is pretty interesting. The missiles on Missile Crawlers have devastating effectiveness, though the crawler that launces them is extremely vulnerable.
LASERs and LASER TOWERs: The only effective counter to a Cruise Missile. Immobile, therefore vulnerable.
In addition the non-combatants are represented in the new countermix;
TRUCKS and HOVERTRUCKS: Softskin, mobile vehicles that are not armed. Basically a VERY cheap way to transport INF style units from here to there and back again. Just stay out of range, if you can in a nuclear age.
GEV-PC: an armored and armed tranport for carrying squads. Moves like GEVs do, so can combine with them for a combined arms attack.

Some nice extras are included, including factory buildings, admin buildings, new craters, and a missile for the missile crawler... convenient target and objective counters.

The new units are not exactly a case of having your cake and eating it too; they are, on the average, very expensive compared to the GEV/OGRE standard issue. I personally prefer the expanded options of 2 Light Tanks (or Light GEVs) for every 1 Heavy Tank or Regular GEV. Your opinions may differ. The Laser Towers and Laser installations add a very nifty grand tactical feel to the game, which had always been close-tactical before. I've never exploited the transport options available in Shockwave before, but I think that a hoarde of trucks, combined with Militia (in OGRE BATTLEFIELDS) could create some nice speedbumps for an enemy player!

In conclusion, this is a solid effort, not at all different from the 80s release. Still, it's great to have these items in print again. I'm going to buy two of everything, in case SJG decides to put it out of print again! :-)

OGRE/GEV SHOCKWAVE game expansion
OGRE/GEV SHOCKWAVE game expansion Capsule Review by Walt O'Hara on 14/06/01 Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 4 (Meaty) It's nice to see an old friend back in print again! Product: OGRE/GEV SHOCKWAVE game expansion Author: Steve Jackson Category: Board/Tactical Game Company/Publisher: Steve Jackson Games Line: OGRE/GEV Cost: 9.95 Page count: 1 (foldout) Year published: 2000 ISBN: ISBN 1-55634-435-X SKU: 7201 Comp copy?: yes Capsule Review by Walt O'Hara on 14/06/01 Genre tags: Science Fiction Far Future Post-apocalyse	P> SHOCKWAVE A SUPPLEMENT FOR OGRE/GEV STEVE JACKSON GAMES HTTP://WWW.SJGAMES.COM/OGRE PART 7201 ISBN 1-55634-435-X SRP: 9.95 USD OGRE/GEV fans, unite! Steve Jackson Games has gotten off the pot and re-released his first and best success, OGRE/GEV. This time around, SJG has kicked out the chocks and sunk some money in revitalizing the entire game line. For starters, the entire previous product line, OGRE/GEV, THE OGRE BOOK, SHOCKWAVE, and OGRE REINFORCEMENT PACK has been re-released, along with a new line of OGRE MINIATURES (made from the old Ral Partha molds), the OGRE BATTLEFIELDS pack, and GURPS: OGRE. Clearly SJG is going back to basics. This is a review of the Shockwave re-release . I presume that if you are reading this, you have some knowledge of the original games that spawned this series. If you have no clue, I refer you to a couple of very decent RPG.NET reviews of the parent game system, one by Tomas Skucas and one by Otto Cargill. Being a shameless drooling fan-boy of the OGRE/GEV system, there's not much I would disagree with there; I certainly don't have to repeat it. I believe Mr. Cargill's review is the most up-to-date. First of all, I suspect you are reading this because you are a fan of the series, in which case you probably know what Shockwave is already. You already KNOW that SHOCKWAVE is the definitive expansion for the OGRE/GEV game system. This is the one to buy, and possibly OGRE BATTLEFIELDS. The Shockwave system introduces a new map-- a map that fits in best with the GEV universe, being a rehash of GEV's green fields and woodlands, and grey urban terrain. The Shockwave map is a coastal map with a large, mult-hex inlet extending into the middle of the map. No new terrain here; essentially the same terrain considerations as were introduced in the GEV game-- Woods, Clear, Swamp, Road, Bridge, and City. The Shockwave map is a bit 'fiddly' to match up with the GEV map, as I believe they were printed in a slightly different scale by accident. It can be done, however. The real strength of the game are the new combat units, which extends GEV's tactical options by a wide margin: LGEV (Light GEV): The GEV's little brother, Lightly armed and Armored. Only half the cost of regular units. SUPERHVY (Superheavy Tank): The HVY's BIG brother. Very tough, and expensive. Has an awesome firepower rating but moves slowly. MAR (Marine Infantry): Slightly more expensive than INF units, these 22nd century jarheads can walk on water. Just ask their CO. MSL CRWLER (Missile Crawler, with and without a missile): This is pretty interesting. The missiles on Missile Crawlers have devastating effectiveness, though the crawler that launces them is extremely vulnerable. LASERs and LASER TOWERs: The only effective counter to a Cruise Missile. Immobile, therefore vulnerable. In addition the non-combatants are represented in the new countermix; TRUCKS and HOVERTRUCKS: Softskin, mobile vehicles that are not armed. Basically a VERY cheap way to transport INF style units from here to there and back again. Just stay out of range, if you can in a nuclear age. GEV-PC: an armored and armed tranport for carrying squads. Moves like GEVs do, so can combine with them for a combined arms attack. Some nice extras are included, including factory buildings, admin buildings, new craters, and a missile for the missile crawler... convenient target and objective counters. The new units are not exactly a case of having your cake and eating it too; they are, on the average, very expensive compared to the GEV/OGRE standard issue. I personally prefer the expanded options of 2 Light Tanks (or Light GEVs) for every 1 Heavy Tank or Regular GEV. Your opinions may differ. The Laser Towers and Laser installations add a very nifty grand tactical feel to the game, which had always been close-tactical before. I've never exploited the transport options available in Shockwave before, but I think that a hoarde of trucks, combined with Militia (in OGRE BATTLEFIELDS) could create some nice speedbumps for an enemy player! In conclusion, this is a solid effort, not at all different from the 80s release. Still, it's great to have these items in print again. I'm going to buy two of everything, in case SJG decides to put it out of print again! :-) W.

OGRE/GEV SHOCKWAVE game expansion