So i technically received this for free, as part of a humble bundle pack for unity content. I play the tabletop version of this, Aeronautica Imperialis (seriously google it), and I love it. I was hopeful going in.

So TLDR first - It attempts to be a faithful remake while removing lots of things that make it so good on the tabletop.

Basically, the tabletop version has you following set manouver paths which you choose at the start of the turn and then have to stick with through the turn. In this game, they basically removed all of the phases and made everything take place at once, which i guess is a streamlining thing or a games workshop overbearing thing. It removes a lot of depth from the game as everything just sort of... Happens. You cant adjust your speed according to how fast the enemy fighter went during its move. Now think that about everything, including shooting, where for some reason my bombs drop on the wrong targets and stuff.

Thats the basic, fundamental core gameplay problem for me. The game is pretty fun, you get a choice of maneuvers (albeit almost completely different to any in the tabletop), and it tends to be a good feeling only losing 1 fighter for 5 targets.

The campaign, for me, is just wasted potential. You start each mission with given planes, and can change the pilots or loadouts from a selection. That's it. They could have put in a squadron builder, which they already have for skirmish (that doesn't seem to do anything) or some form of aircraft production/replacement system, where you have to buy new aircraft and then those can be upgraded, instead of you just get these and they're all generic. There's no way of making sure your ace has an ejector seat every time except doing it every time yourself. Other than that, if you win the mission, you gain campaign points. If you lose, you lose them. If you get to 10 or 0 your either win or lose, seems to be that simple. There are some varied missions in there, i think, but its all pretty basic seeing as the core of the game is also pretty basic. So you're left wondering why you're still playing after an hour, as you've already fought 3 battles and nothing has really changed except now you're on 7 points instead of 5.

Overall, i have to give it a can't recommend because although its pretty fun the first few times, i can see it getting old really fast. Its just too slimline, hopefully we'll see updates, but most GW games are either amazing on release or just bad/meh, so only time will tell.

If you're reading, devs, you can do it, i believe in you.

So i technically received this for free, as part of a humble bundle pack for unity content. I play the tabletop version of this, Aeronautica Imperialis (seriously google it), and I love it. I was hopeful going in. So TLDR first - It attempts to be a faithful remake while removing lots of things that make it so good on the tabletop. Basically, the tabletop version has you following set manouver paths which you choose at the start of the turn and then have to stick with through the turn. In this game, they basically removed all of the phases and made everything take place at once, which i guess is a streamlining thing or a games workshop overbearing thing. It removes a lot of depth from the game as everything just sort of... Happens. You cant adjust your speed according to how fast the enemy fighter went during its move. Now think that about everything, including shooting, where for some reason my bombs drop on the wrong targets and stuff. Thats the basic, fundamental core gameplay problem for me. The game is pretty fun, you get a choice of maneuvers (albeit almost completely different to any in the tabletop), and it tends to be a good feeling only losing 1 fighter for 5 targets. The campaign, for me, is just wasted potential. You start each mission with given planes, and can change the pilots or loadouts from a selection. That's it. They could have put in a squadron builder, which they already have for skirmish (that doesn't seem to do anything) or some form of aircraft production/replacement system, where you have to buy new aircraft and then those can be upgraded, instead of you just get these and they're all generic. There's no way of making sure your ace has an ejector seat every time except doing it every time yourself. Other than that, if you win the mission, you gain campaign points. If you lose, you lose them. If you get to 10 or 0 your either win or lose, seems to be that simple. There are some varied missions in there, i think, but its all pretty basic seeing as the core of the game is also pretty basic. So you're left wondering why you're still playing after an hour, as you've already fought 3 battles and nothing has really changed except now you're on 7 points instead of 5. Overall, i have to give it a can't recommend because although its pretty fun the first few times, i can see it getting old really fast. Its just too slimline, hopefully we'll see updates, but most GW games are either amazing on release or just bad/meh, so only time will tell. If you're reading, devs, you can do it, i believe in you.