"Choosing a kaiju wargame" Topic

Hi! First post on his forum.

I am looking for a kaiju wargame. I don't have much experience in wargaming. I did read a lot of ruleset but never really played something.

I tried Malifaux a while back. I really liked the setting and the figures, but actual gameplay was too much for me. The amount of special abilities and triggers and whatnot each character had, and the possible synergies between multiple characters was just overwhelming. I just didn't know what to do.

I tried Song of Blades and Heroes with my Malifaux figures and wasn't too sure I enjoyed the experience. Might have been a bit too simple.

I also tried one or two games of Anima Tactics and I did enjoy it. But never got to play it again.

Then I played the old version of monsterpocalypse once or twice. A bit like Malifaux, it was kind of overwhelming the amount of things you had to consider each turn. Units or monster, attack, maneuver, secure, destroy buildings, spawn more units, use power attacks, maybe I should have persevered a bit but I didn't.

Now a few years later, I am ready to try a new wargame. I don't have much time so I won't get into painting figures again. Been there done that. Also O want to keep the cost as low as possible so cardboard standees are great for me. I can easily make my own.

Now as for the games, I want something quick and easy to learn, but not simplistic. Two figures on a board that are stationnary for the whole game because the are locked into close combat while you roll the dice until there is a winner is not my idea of fun. I want some more that.

I also like the idea of having different powers. I want each figure to feel different, to play differently. I just want to avoid games where combos and synergies is what wins the battle. It can be nice to pull off a combo, but I don't want the game to be about that. I want a game that reward good tactical thinking, where you have to seize an opportunity when it happens.

Also, I prefer games where you don't need to plan ahead too much.

So with that said, here are the four games i was interested in.

- Monsterpocalypse 2.0
- Mighty monster or Samurai Robot Battle Royale by Ganesha games
- Monster Island
- Giant monster rampage.

I would very much like to hear what is great about each of these games, what are their weaknesses, how much thinking it requires, how does it play, etc. And please refrain from suggesting your own favorite game. I have enough trouble choosing a game right now, I don't need more options to make that choice more difficult

Thanks!

Monster Island can be fast and fun!

My kids picked it up at a con when they were in grade school. We used Beany Babies, Bionicle and my 15mm stuff

I'll second Monster Island. I've run it at conventions with totally new players and it's easy to pick up. I pre-gen the monsters but that's not hard, just takes long when people can't make up their mind on things. I also have Giant Monster Rampage. That is fun as well, but it has more depth to monster creation so not as fast as Monster Island. I would play both without reservations. I grabbed up vinyl monsters off Amazon, mostly Ultraman ones since they are cheaper but there are inexpensive Godzilla themed ones available but anything can be used. I throw my 6mm forces against them and have some nice UFOs from some board game based up on flight stands for the Alien invasion that is in the 3rd Monster Island booklet.

My opinion: Monster Island is simple, but that's it's only virtue. Bought it, played it, meh. You could certainly have a good time with it, but you can have a good time with any rules.

Mighty Monsters is more interesting. Bought it, read it, have not played it. Bought the necessary dice, though. If you want rules to be more than hitting people until they run out of hit points, MM! is the next step up. It might not be completely satisfactory if you really want strategy.

I definitely agree that many of the "collectible" and commercial tried to add fun by adding way to many "Special" this and that.

Sorry, I couldn't reply earlier.

@Striker, I would like to know why would you choose one game over the other between Monster Island and Giant Monster Rampage. I have now read both rulebooks, and I am wondering if Monster Island is too simple. Especially the powers. Those in GMR are much more exciting in my opinion. However, there are a lot of rules to take into account in GMR. Fleeing, lots of different types of terrain, more modifiers, etc.

I also have the impression that Monster Island is good for a few games, but might get samey after a while.

I really want a game where each monsters plays completely differently from each other. In monster island, i get the impression that the difference shines through narration, but not actual gameplay effects.