I'll start off by saying this isn't a GW bash post, but a simple question. I have played 40K for many years up to 5th ed and a couple of 6th ed. I'm not the best of gamers, but I did enjoy going to the odd tourny as a fun thing. My point is its the looks that draw me to a game, not the rules. Obviously the game has to be good as well for me to continue investment! I'll even pick a dud army because 'it looks better' - by mistake usually as I get a rush of blood and hit buy before looking into how an army functions!
First up I will say that the whole Gothic 40k thing is cool, very cool. But I'm starting to think its becoming GWs shiny gold pen, over used and over exaggerated. Sometimes just because you can doesn't mean you should. I'm talking about a lot of the newer releases that have been coming out. Mainly the Space Wolf stuff. The dred with an axe and shield, the shoe barge and the Santa sled. There are a ton of other models as well, and I'm including the Imperial knight in that... I know its an old classic concept, but its just dumb. IMO GW should be evolving 40k in a way that's suits a more current taste. I think they should keep the Gothic touches, but make things look more slick, more believable. I wince when I see a Space Marine walking around in a computer game especially the new Space Hulk game, it looks off. The plastic kits are great, but they are putting to much into the ornate pieces instead of concentrating on the actual look with little sense... it'll be fine just chuck a few crests and army badges... its fine... Here are some examples...
Now I'm sure this is a taste preference, but Infinity are getting there models right! They are metal for a start, but it holds detail so much better than plastic, even compared to today's standard of plastic kits. Look at this new PanO knight... it looks futuristic, Gothic (you could paint in a more gritty way) and looks like it can move around in a realistic way. There is no reason why space marines couldn't look more like this concept.
Now their are some dogs in the Infinity range - don't get me wrong and everything is not all better over here. But the old sculpts are being renewed fast!! From this...
To this.. (Hell of an upgrade!)
I think now Covus Belli have toned down the Manga look to what I would call a more video game look... to me its current. I'm also preferring the skirmish sized game, less models does not mean less of a battle, in fact I think it makes a game richer as individual models can do so much more... basically one model is like controlling a unit in 40k...
Maybe I just needed a break from 40k, maybe I just needed a change. But I know that if I was just getting into the hobby, 40k does not not look as cool as Infinity...
couldn't agree more. its been a while since i've loved the new releases, def more misses than hits with this lot. Corvus belli on the other hand have released hit after hit with the occasional average looking model (eg new thamryis + nessie alke).
ReplyDeleteDoesn't help that GW haven't really done anything with the new edition but make it even less balanced either. havent touched my 40k/WFB models in months now and probably wont for forseeable future given that i'm not paying £60 for the 7ed rulebook
Its like they decided to have a shakeup, but in the wrong way! Those two minis I agree have been really the only average release all year...
DeleteIts hard to compare the two. GW now really only make big models. Infinity is still working on getting their look right and they're re-doing some of their line in a different scale than they used to. There are some GW models I prefer painting (the DE range and Tau models for example) over CB's. Lots of CB stuff is considerably difficult to paint due to lots of small details. Thankfully though, they've recognized this problem and have started to make details bigger and including more open spaces and shapes on their models. For example, just compare their tohaa range (very difficult to paint) to the Icestorm box models.
ReplyDeleteActually you raised a good point, CB stuff is not very beginner friendly, with the tiddly metal parts and they are rock hard to paint, it nearly put me off after i bought a starter set. I had to strip my first attempts paint them! The newer models are a lot easier to put together. I am about to start Pan0 and will be using all new models, but there are a few scale issues with some stuff in my Morats. The Yaogats dont fit with the new Morats, but are also a key unit so I have to use them.. they are very weedy looking and they are supposed to be my uber spec guys! New versions will be awesome though so im not to fussed. Im glad CB are moving away from the out and out manga look (i like it) but its a bit hit and miss with peoples taste. cant wait for Icestorm!! Hope you get a commission, CB models love glowy bits!
Deletei think that we all just got used to the GW style, so something different easily catches our attention, but it's true: infinity minis (and confrontation ones) are more detailed and are less "deformed".
ReplyDeleteskirmish games are on "human" scale, so you feel like you are in the middle of the action.
bye
Definately and this really is not meant as GW bash. But I think GW should know that things need changing from time to time, even if it seems unpopular... I remember when they changed from Rogue Trader Marines to the more current look, all my friends were peeved (no internet then!) but we sucked it up and loved the new models!!
DeleteI think it is hard to judge them against each other as they are both quite different games, in unique situations. I live aspects of both games miniatures. Infinity links are definately built for painters whereas gw's have more of an all rounder appeal. I love the fact that gw minis are so customisable and that is a huge draw for me. All my armies are extensively converted and I enjoy this part if the hobby immensely. I nearly threw away my infinity minis as putting them together was like pulling my teeth out with rusty pliers. Granted the new minis are a dream to out together, which is fantastic because they really needed to improve. I think we as gamers have become a bit jaded with he over the years as we have all grown up with them being no1 in the gaming industry. Viewing them as a part of your hobby experience and not the be all and end all has been a massive improvement for me and greatly increased my joy in their games and minis. Also ignoring the unnecessary rage on the internet over anything gw does has been helpful too. It's amazing how negativity is like a virus that spreads over the net and into the outer gaming world (this is no way reflects on your article btw)
ReplyDeleteI never really understood the rage.. I think it is because when someone has moved to a different system, they want everyone to do so, and that in some way, they have seen the light therefor everyone should and they can't understand why not. Gw models are great, but I think a shift is upon us and I don't think gw new releases are looking so cool anymore as they once did. I have wowed more at some of these kick starter games that are popping up (not mantic there models are god awful!). The hobby needs gw to be no1 because as you say it's the most compatible system, the one everyone can play... And they have a high street presence! Not that I ever liked going in store, even when I was a kid I hated it! I worry they are not moving with times and for the first, possibly not the model producers looks wise? It's subjective and only sales will shake out what everyone thinks. Thanks!
DeleteI agree in that the Space Wolves are horrendous abominations but I have a soft spot for both the Knight and the Khorne Choppy Thing (TM) simply because they are both based on Epic models.
ReplyDelete