Ready to drop
One of my fondest memories is sitting around the tv with a group of friends for a LAN Match whenever a new Halo game was released. Since then, each meme, sound effect and catchphrase has been but a distant memory. Well, that was the case until Mantic Games bought it all flooding back with Halo Flashpoint!
In this review, I’ll be reminiscing as we explore everything that the Halo: Flashpoint miniatures game has to offer; and boy does it have a lot to offer. We’ve got components, mechanics, birthday parties and so much more! So, without further ado, let’s get stuck in.
Supplies inbound
Anyone who’s ever opened a box for a miniature game will know what’s usually awaiting them. Piles of sprues, books as thick as a dictionary and thin tokens that hardly make it out of the sheet in one piece. But that’s nothing like what I found waiting for me here. For the price of the box, you get amazing value in the components provided:
Ready to drop
One of my fondest memories is sitting around the tv with a group of friends for a LAN Match whenever a new Halo game was released. Since then, each meme, sound effect and catchphrase has been but a distant memory. Well, that was the case until Mantic Games bought it all flooding back with Halo Flashpoint!
In this review, I’ll be reminiscing as we explore everything that the Halo: Flashpoint miniatures game has to offer; and boy does it have a lot to offer. We’ve got components, mechanics, birthday parties and so much more! So, without further ado, let’s get stuck in.
Supplies inbound
Anyone who’s ever opened a box for a miniature game will know what’s usually awaiting them. Piles of sprues, books as thick as a dictionary and thin tokens that hardly make it out of the sheet in one piece. But that’s nothing like what I found waiting for me here. For the price of the box, you get amazing value in the components provided:
- 16 x Spartan models
- 4 x Banished Elite models
- Rulebook
- Play mat
- Pre-coloured card terrain and tokens
- Deluxe 2-sided play board
- 20 x Weapon cards
- Extra terrain and tokens
- 20 x Player/model cards
- 3 x Reference cards
- 12 x D8 dice
- 8 x Command dice
- Plastic 3D arena accessories
The second you open the box, there’s one thing that stands out a mile; quality. From the box art and inserts, to the card stock and miniatures, everything in this box is as high quality as it could possibly be.
The terrain pieces are thick, sturdy and slide together and apart easily enough. Although, I personally recommend leaving the larger structures assembled as the edges of the pieces will eventually start to peel away after multiple uses. Unfortunately, that does mean finding a storage solution for them.
Each of the models are intricately detailed with weapons and armour from the Halo universe, causing yet another pang of nostalgia each time I look at them. Each one has its own place in an organiser that’s loose enough to hold the miniatures but not scratch the paint on them. The only criticism I have is that I wish the models were part builds instead. It would be exciting to be able to magnetise the weapons on each model to suit the game mode you’re playing and it would make them much easier to paint.
And although I haven’t tackled the painting stage yet, I’m convinced that zenithal highlighting, contract green and lots of edge highlighting is going to bring out all of the incredible details that have been designed into each spartan and elite.
Also, it’s worth noting that the Spartan edition of the game really does feel like the premium edition. The extra playing pieces, elite models and beautiful dice alone really add to the experience of playing and open up lots of new options for each battle. For a slightly higher price, it definitely feels like amazing value for money and it’s worthwhile picking this version up.
Into the fray
I know all too well that picking up a brand new miniatures game can be quite overwhelming, especially when you have a tome of a rules book to navigate. However, you get none of that with Halo Flashpoint, and boy does it feel refreshing.
Set up is simple, pick a battle type; Slayer being a favourite of mine. Choose your troops and loadouts. Then simply populate the field with terrain, weapons and items, position your models, roll for initiative and you’re away.
Rounds are quick and snappy, combat is punchy and easy to work out, and the mechanics are simple and memorable. All of these combined create a games system which is easy to set up and even easier to play.
Is that nostalgia I see before me?
Yes, you’re seeing this right, there’s actually a section on nostalgia. Yes, I’m serious. The Halo franchise will always have a spot close to my heart, and until I played flashpoint, I didn’t think I could love the series any more than I already do. But boy was I wrong…
From the items and weapons to the game modes and stupid catchphrases; it’s all there. It’s without doubt the closest thing you’ll ever find to being back on the Xbox playing capture the flag with your friends.
The combat rounds are fast paced, the weapons are unpredictable, and each dice roll is just as exciting as the last. I would even go as far as to say that Halo Flashpoint has quickly become my favourite miniatures game out there.
But the nostalgia doesn’t stop there. We even went as far as downloading a soundboard just to hear ‘Flag taken’ in that holy voice when one of us managed to sneak our way onto the enemy side. And of course, headshots were always accompanied by confetti and the cheers of children.
It goes without saying that Mantic have been able to capture the magic of the original Halo video games and translate it to the tabletop with absolute ease.
On the Horizon
With the second wave of content having just been revealed, showing brutes and a points system inbound. It beggars the question, where could Mantic go next?
Personally, I would love to see them take the same route as they have for Kings of War with Armada, and bring vehicles into the fray. It opens up the possibility for larger scale ground battles with units of spartans being swarmed by banshees or splattered by grunts on ghosts. The possibilities are endless, and I can’t wait to see what they announce next.
Final thoughts
Halo Flashpoint is definitely one of those games where talking about it doesn’t do any justice. If you want to know just how incredible this miniatures game is, you need to experience it to believe it.
Within the space of a week of having this game, my partner and I played 4 games, some of which were quick battles in the evening, and we were left wanting to fit even more play time in. Every game is exciting, even if you’ve played the same game mode more than once, and the fireteam build options mean that you always have a few tricks up your sleeve.
If you have the room in your budget, I highly recommend going for the Spartan edition of the game. The premium features are such a nice upgrade, and they really open up new game experiences. But regardless of the edition you choose, I have no doubt that you’ll fall in love with this game just as quickly as I have.
