Reviewing Battlefield Evolution

By ED BALDRIDGE
The GAU correspondent

I had the opportunity at MegaCon to take a look at a miniatures game out there on the market called Battlefield Evolution. There was a demo there, which I did not get to play, but I broke out a couple of figs and tanks and set up a game with some friends when we got a break.  Here are some of my thoughts.

I am a miniature gamer by trade, my wife and I own and run a gaming store called The BattleZone, and I get to write reviews for The GAU (The Gamers Amalgamated Union).

I get to play at least once a week at something, and I really enjoy a good game of tactics with a competent player. Luckily, we are in an area with some of the best players in the country.

I enjoy Games Workshop stuff, I have three armies so far in the 40k realm, Space Wolves, Tyranids, and Necrons, and I am thinking about adding Tau.

In Warmachine, I play Cygnar and Mercenaries. I love tossing the dwarf, and looking at the surprise on a new opponents face when they ask “Can you do that?”

I sometimes ride the tournament circuit here in Florida, making at least four or five cons a year, and I get paid to play. How could life get any better.

I take at least one night a month to look at other miniature games so that I can get a feel about where the industry is going.

BF EVO is owned by Mongoose Publishing, and they have a decent track record with miniatures so far.

Mongoose did a good job at Starship Troopers, the models looked good, and there was enough of the hobby in it to assemble and paint a slew of bugs.

And the game mechanics were pretty good.

With the release of BF EVO it seems that Mongoose carried on that tradition to some extent, but they added one thing that helps both serious and casual players get involved quicker by pre-painting the models.

Overall they did a pretty good job, and the figs are very respectable for everyday tabletop challenges.

The infantry are plastic, but close enough to the 25/28mm size to make them realistic and the proportions were good.

The tanks and vehicles are moderately well done, but there is a slight problem with the scaling between the infantry and vehicles to me. Not a big deal really.

But there are some decent details though, and except for the tank turret gap, they look ok from a top down view.

The game is quite streamlined and is incredibly easy for non-tabletop-gamers to learn.  It currently lacks the complexity of 40k, but allows you to spend more time on the tactics than on the rulebook.

The fluff says “Battlefield Evolution is a fast-paced and easy to learn miniatures game, with enough tactical depth to keep you hooked for years.” Well that part is certainly true.

I have some folks in the store who I test such things on, and I could explain the basic rules and have them rolling dice in about 10 minutes.

The good part of the game to me? The tactics. Tactics are king.

According to the fluff, there is a chance to take a look at weapons that “are just around the corner,” and that makes it interresting, and has me thinking of some weapons that might fit.

The idea of small forces makes it playable, but I can see expanding the game to armies double or triple the recommend size.

Understanding how cover comes into play, like any realistic battlefield, and using it to your advantage is certainly a large part of the tactics in city fighting.

Terrain is your friend.

Fire zones means that almost anyone on the board can be shot, and the +4 body armor save helps some.  But, don't get shot seems to be the key.

The play is quick and fun, with your brain being the major tool and the dice playing a less significant roll than you would think, but still a factor.

The main rule? Don’t get shot.  Did I say that already?

In some miniatures games, you put some of your troops out there to get shot, not this one.

Conclusions:  Overall, BF EVO is well painted and is easy to learn and pick-up for the novice table top gamer. It gives the player a sense of modern warfare, something other games lack, and has enough tactics to keep you on your toes with another player of your caliber.

I recommend it as a buy.  Pick-up a few boxes, they are certainly cheap

enough compared to some of the other miniature games.

Did I mention, Don’t get shot?