So it’s really just a simple run-and-gun affair. There are no complex decisions or strategies to speak of, but there is plenty of room for the Marine players to coordinate their plans and work out ways to overcome the horde of aliens. The alien player seems to be grossly underpowered in the long run and I’ve yet to play a game where the alien player wins but it’s always a lot of fun regardless of any imbalance. There is a simple point system if you really want to determine a “winner” and most missions have a secondary objective or two but the emphasis is clearly on survival…well, that and just having a good time poking around corridors and laying waste to all who oppose you.
There is also a campaign game if you want to track your squad’s progress over several games; it seems pretty cool, but I have yet to try it. If it’s not enough for you, there’s a couple of very rare expansions- MISSION: DREADNAUGHT adds more heavy weapons (assault cannons, missile launchers, etc.) and Chaos Dreadnaught units to the mix and ELDAR ATTACK brings everyone’s favorite enigmatic space elves to the front. What’s more, Games Workshop also supported the game via its WHITE DWARF publication so there are supplemental rules and additions that make the SPACE CRUSADE experience even more complete. And then, there’s also an ADVANCED SPACE CRUSADE, designed by Blood Bowl’s Jervis Johnson, that actually did make it to the US but it is a much more complex affair that focused on the Tyranids.
The production of the game is just outstanding, from the terrific Games Workshop artwork and miniatures (which are plentiful, to say the least) to the artwork on the cards and the big, sculpted plastic consoles for each marine player. I think it’s the best looking game Milton Bradley ever produced and it stands up favorably to the big-budget productions we’re seeing companies like Fantasy Flight and Days of Wonder put out these days. It’s a big, boisterous game that just looks dynamite on the table and I have no doubt that it could have surpassed HEROQUEST’s popularity here in the states if Milton Bradley had not balked on it. The game did turn up in other European countries and I have seen a number of Dutch copies, including the one I own, surface over the years and there are also German copies available. Localizing the game is fairly easy; the game was a big seller in the United Kingdom so spare parts, including English-language cards, are readily available through a few Internet sources.
Bits! Bits! And more bits!
SPACE CRUSADE is definitely worth the time and effort to seek out— it’s actually a pretty good way to get into the WARHAMMER 40,000 universe without committing yourself to the Games Workshop lifestyle (which is one expensive lifestyle) and it also is easy enough to play that most folks even vaguely interested in the concept or theme will get a lot of enjoyment out of it. The thrill of cutting a Dreadnaught in half with a chainsword can not be underestimated.
The chances of a reprint are pretty much zero given the license, and although other more common games such as MUTANT CHRONICLES: SIEGE OF THE CITADEL and the previously mentioned Fantasy Flight titles will give you a similar experience, I think none of them quite match the level of fun of SPACE CRUSADE. It is well worth a small investment—expect to spend anywhere from $50-$100 for the game or more with the expansions.
