Desert Island Space Hulk

[Brother Tyler]

Many players (especially those that a bit longer in the tooth) remember the original and 2nd edition versions of Space Hulk, as well as the Deathwing and Genestealer expansions, with fondness. The game was long out of print and players that weren't fortunate enough to have these games had to do without, pay exorbitant prices on eBay, or create their own homemade versions based on stuff they found on the Internet. When GW developed the Return to Space Hulk adaptation of the 4th edition Kill-Team rules to emulate the Space Hulk boardgame, many players were thrilled.

 

And then GW brought back a new edition of the game in 2009, and there was much rejoicing. While there were reasonable grumblings in a few quarters, this new edition was a Great Thing and brought the Space Hulk boardgame experience to a whole new generation. While very expensive, it could be argued that it was worth everything you paid for it (the cost of the game, after all, was less than what you'd pay for the equivalent models if you bought them separately, and the boards, counters, etc. were quite nifty).

 

There was one real problem, though.

 

The game was a limited run only, and it "sold out" in the span of a few months. Someone evidently stockpiled some copies as they were later available again for a short while (and I think it "surprisingly" went back on sale for an event some time later, quickly "selling out" again), and you can occasionally find a store selling a copy here and there, but the game is no longer widely available. Other people grabbed up as many copies as they could with the intent to later sell them for exorbitant prices on eBay. So many people weren't able to get the game at the original cost ("cheaper" being a relative term, but accurate in this case as I've seen it sell for over $200 on eBay these days, and sometimes over $300).

 

For those players that have been able to play the Space Hulk boardgame, though, it has proven to be a fun diversion from larger WH40K gaming endeavors. In many ways, it's a good gateway game as it oozes atmosphere and players that are drawn to it are quite apt to find regular WH40K fun in a different way.

 

Personally, I'd be fine if GW just re-released a lower end version of the game that included the rules, missions, blips, counters, dice, hourglass, and tokens for the Space Marines/Genestealers - basically everything but the minis, and the board sections wouldn't have to be as sexy as they were in the 3rd edition version. If the maps were the same size, players could simply buy regular minis and use those for Space Hulk. Everybody would be a winner (except for the guys that are making a killing selling the thing on eBay, that is). I don't have a lot of confidence that GW will do this, although I secretly hope that they do. I don't need it, of course (I have three of the four copies I bought, having given the fourth away as a birthday present and keeping two as backups in case anything from my opened copy is lost/stolen or if one of my kids wants a copy when I kick them out of the house at 18).

 

So what I'm trying to gauge here is which missions players think are the most fun all around. I ask you to select based on having to play both sides, not limiting yourself to playing just the Space Marines or just the Genestealers. Imagine you're stuck on a desert island with the Skipper (you're Gilligan - get over it. I can't put you on the island with Maryann or Ginger because you'd be doing something else and wouldn't need Space Hulk. And if I put you on the island with Mr. or Mrs. Howell you'd commit homicide and would be reduced to talking to a volleyball. And if I put you on the island with the Professor he'd figure out a way to manufacture everything you need for every other mission using only coconuts, palm fronds, and bamboo, and that would just defeat the purpose of this whole exercise. So you're Gilligan and you're going to play Space Hulk against the Skipper forever and ever). All of the map pieces are glued together and have been glued in place, and you have only the sections needed to make your chosen mission. And you have only the miniatures and other pieces needed for the mission. Sometimes you'll have to play the Space Marines and sometimes you'll have to play the Genestealers. Which mission would you choose to play forever and ever?

 

If you can narrow it down to just one mission, great. Pick your favorite and feel free to extoll its virtues in a reply.

 

If you can't narrow it down to one of the 3rd edition missions, narrow it down to the two or three that you think are absolutely essential and explain why in a reply.

 

If you think that one of the missions/campaigns from the older editions is best (including those that appeared in White Dwarf magazine and the Space Hulk Campaigns supplement), please name the mission/campaign you think is best and explain why in a reply.

 

If you think that none of the official missions/campaigns is best and that some homegrown mission/campaign is the one you would play for the rest of your life, please describe it in a reply. This can be a brief description, though I ask you to post the homegrown mission as a separate discussion. In fact, I'd really like to see it discussed in depth, including pictures of the maps and such, in a separate discussion so that others can play it (and I can playtest it). Just be sure to keep it to the basic sides used in the game - loyalist Space Marines versus Genestealers.

 

If you've never played the game, or don't like it, that's too bad (for you). :( You can explain your answer in a reply if you'd like, but I don't want this discussion to turn into a Space Hulk bashing venue. You're definitely entitled to your opinion, and I'm interested in hearing it if you feel it necessary to explain it, but the discussion will remain on topic (choosing our favorite mission).

 

There is a method behind the madness, but I don't want to influence anyone's answers, so I'll explain it later. ;)

[vonny]

unfortunately I never found people as enhtralled with the game as I am, so I haven't played it much. really, I mostly played the first 2 missions against a variety of opponents (and can't for the life of me understand how genestealers could win the second mission, or what would happen if they just stockpiled up... a draw?)

 

So unfortunately, I can't say much about it!

[Something Wycked]

I have Death Angel, the card game version of Space Hulk, but I've never even laid eyes on a copy of the actual Space Hulk game. ;)

[Sgt. Tiberus Satio]

I could never get my hands on any of the version. ;) No one I know has a copy either to play, so I have never played any of them.

[Olis]

Don't have it, never played it. I want to, though. :D