TMNT Descent/Imperial Assault

[Sithborg 11,644]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/idwgames/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-shadows-of-the-past-b/description

 

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/180771/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-shadows-past

 

As a huge fan of the IDW comic and Descent and Imperial Assault, I am in. Very much in. Of course they have to tease Mousers and Angel/Nobody in the video. 

[VanorDM 11,599]

Looking forward to it too, but if the price tag is near Imperial Assault levels, it may have to wait until my Birthday or next Christmas.

But as a TNMT since the 80's I too am very excited about this game.

[Sithborg 11,644]

The nice thing about the Kickstarter, is that there is now add ons, so just have to worry about the shipping. And since I saw somewhere that the Hero packs look to be 17.99, I'm thinking that it will be a great deal for the $90 level, just to get a free Hero pack. 

 

Though, nothing wrong with waiting to see how the stretch goals go. 

[Sithborg 11,644]

The designer is starting to go into some of the characters. So, previews. 

 

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1519617/game-previews-kevin-wilson

[Dagonet 7,246]

I have trouble enough gettin IA to the table, what with pandemic Legacy and other great games were currently playing.

[Sithborg 11,644]

Going to bed 14 people away from Casey being unlocked. Not bad for a second day to nearly hit the first three stretch goals. 

[Jamz 74]

Looks awesome but having pre ordered Rebellion I don't know when i will get time to play this. 

[Sithborg 11,644]

You should get a few months between Rebellion and when this releases. 

[VanorDM 11,599]

The kickstarter says Jul 2016 IIRC.

Edit: ok different question, since I've never done a kickstarter before. Let's say I sign up for the $90 version. I get the core plus April, and it says all applicable stretch goals.

For stretch goals it lists upgrading the thug gunners to plastic from cardboard, Old Hob villain pack, Casey Jones, and 5 brawlers upgraded to plastic.

Does that mean I'd get all those things, plus any additional stretch goals they might unlock as they get more funding?

Because that means Casey Jones, April and Old Hob packs, which they say go for $18... or $54 worth of packs for free?? Plus the 5 extra plastic thug minis. I mean at that rate $90 is a pretty **** cheap price and if I have to scrounge a bit to come up with the money now it may be worth it...

Edited February 5, 2016 by VanorDM

[Sithborg 11,644]

My impression is this. 

 

The hero packs are free to the backers, and will eventually be made available to the general public for $18. The component upgrades like the Thugs, Foot Elite, and dice will be in the retail version. Old Hobb isn't a Hero pack, and looks to be added to the villain group, along with Shredder, Karai, and Alopex. 

 

I mean, $90 for 45 minis a better deal than Imperial Assault (though the larger minis may skew it a bit). Then you add in the two heroes of April and Casey. 

 

Pretty much if it says Kickstarter exclusive, it is likely not going to be part of the base game. So, still a good deal (even though Casey and April will be made available for retail later, they will have different sculpts). 

[VanorDM 11,599]

The hero packs are free to the backers, and will eventually be made available to the general public for $18.

Ok. So let's assume it retails for $90 normally which seems fair for what you get. For the $90 pledge you'd also get Casey and April as hero packs (a $36 value) a Old Hob Villin pack ($18 value) upgrade the 10 thug tokens to plastic mini's. Possibly upgrade 6 foot Ninja to Elites... plus whatever else may come out.

So you'd have to pay as much as a extra $54 or even more to get Casey, April and Old Hob as expansion packs. That seems to be a truly killer deal.

[Sithborg 11,644]

Again, I don't think Hob is a separate pack, but an addition to the base game. So, $36 savings, which is a good deal. A bit better than an online discount. Though, I strongly suspect there are more Hero packs coming after they get the upgrades to the base game that they wanted (Splinter is pretty much assured, and they teased Angel/Nobody). 

[VanorDM 11,599]

Again, I don't think Hob is a separate pack, but an addition to the base game.

That could be, they list it as a villain pack, but it may be in the retail box anyway. I'm guessing from what you're saying the plastic thug models and elite foot ninja's would also be included in the retail box?

But the more I see the more tempted I am. My son loves the turtles too and he enjoyed IA quite a bit. So this is hard to pass up. If profit sharing comes in before the 25th, then it's almost a given I'll sign up as a backer.

I mean if the only thing I get extra is a few packs, each one really does a lot to bring down the price of the core box...

Edited February 5, 2016 by VanorDM

[Sithborg 11,644]

I just noticed that they list Hob as a villain pack. So, never mind what I was saying. 

 

Yes, the upgrades will be in the retail version. And you get 2 Hero and 1 Villain pack free. 

[VanorDM 11,599]

Yeah I did some more digging and I think I got it straight now. Some of these goals are things that would be in the retail box anyway, like the thug and elite foot mini's.

But others will be expansions that you'd have to buy separately.

So even if the only thing extra is April, Casey and Hob, it's still a great deal and I'm like 95% convinced to back it. Because at that rate you're getting around $150 worth of stuff for $90... Assuming of course that it retails at $90.

[Sithborg 11,644]

It is kind of interesting reading the comments. Because the box upgrades reads to me as actual funding goals, compared to just rewards for funding. It apparently bugs the Kickstarter veterans off. I am just holding off to see if the $150 has any real value added as the campaign goes on. 

 

At the very least, you should wait till the gameplay video drops Mon. 

Edited February 5, 2016 by Sithborg

[VanorDM 11,599]

Because the box upgrades reads to me as actual funding goals, compared to just rewards for funding.

I noticed that as well. I guess I can kinda see it. I mean if I buy a game via a kickstarter and find out that the retail box has things the KS version doesn't... Like say plastic models vs cardboard tokens then I can see being a bit miffed. Plus it makes it look like you're getting rewarded with extra stuff that you really aren't.

I am just holding off to see if the $150 has any real value added as the campaign goes on.

That's the other thing that seems odd. It seems like so far the only thing you get extra for $150 is the Eastman mini's and different box art.

I saw on BGG that the campaign itself uses the four comic's with an avg of 4 missions per comic, so 16 total missions, that can be played as one off's as well apparently.

[Sithborg 11,644]

Well, they get a signed lithograph of the $90 game box art from Eastman as well. But, they have said that there are exclusive stretch goals for that level, so we will see. There are probably a few box upgrades up next, though. 

[VanorDM 11,599]

I may do the $150... Depends on when profit sharing happens.

If the stretch goals for that level are good enough it may be worth it. But right now it doesn't seem like it, not for alt art models (which do look killer) different box art and a litho.

I mean for an extra $60... I'd expect a fair amount of loot.

[Trevor Goodchild 378]

Thanks for the tip off. I played the hell out of various forms of the RPG many moons ago. Even reversed the roles and GMed a campaign where the PCs were mutants from a government experiment sent out to help cover up other stuff.
I've been tracking the KS for a few days. Still scratching my head why the $150 level is so much more popular that the $90. I actually like the standard box better than the novelty pseudo-pizza box, and while the Eastman minis have better heads/faces I actually think their poses are inferior to the standard ones. I'd be expecting a whole lot more for an extra $60 (yes I know there's now a print of the box cover art included too).
Will watch the gameplay video with curiosity....

Edited February 8, 2016 by Trevor Goodchild

[Dagonet 7,246]

People are junkies suffering from acquisition disorder. Especially with Kickstarter and minis people are afraid to miss out on anything.

 

The first stretch goals have been to upgrade the base box from standees to miniatures and then with diversification of miniature models. Next stretch goals will be kickstarter exclusives and that is where the $150 will probably start to shine (you can change your backing later). 

 

Just take a look over on ebay what Blood Rage kickstarter exclusives are going for. People back for two copies and sell one off to recoup the cost. 

 

July 2016 seems a bit optimistic, especially where a miniatures game is concerned. Just look at Conan, the kickstarter ran until February last year, and now they are expecting June at the earliest after hitting yet another delay.

[Sithborg 11,644]

Well, they have said they are going more into what the Works is getting on Monday as well. 

[Sithborg 11,644]

Just an update, but all 4 Turtles have been previewed with explanations by the designer.

 

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/1519617/game-previews-kevin-wilson/page/1

 

Which also answers the question why there is 15 action dice, when the heroes get 3 (Raph gets 6). 

[VanorDM 11,599]

They are now going to offer Splinter at 400k but only for the Works Package. Also says it's a Kickstarter exclusive, but perhaps that like Casey is just that model. Right now even with Splitter in the Works packages, I still don't think it's worth it.

But it's getting close, if Splinter is a hero pack, that's 3 heroes and 1 villain, which is $72 retail, that means the Works is worth at least $162 even if you don't figure the extra stuff.

Per Kevin W on BGG regarding Splinter "Exclusive sculpt only, just like Casey and April. All three will be available at retail after awhile, just with different miniatures. Just to clear up any confusion."

Edited February 8, 2016 by VanorDM

[Sithborg 11,644]

Yeah, the kickstarter exclusive stuff is primarily for the sculpt. Still it is a good sign of what they will be doing for the Works, so keeping an eye on it. And don't forget the hand signed lithograph by Eastman. 

 

It is a pain to wait for California work hours for them to update the stretch goals and upload the game play video. Everything I've seen makes it really cool, with some truly co-op play when compared to Descent and Imperial Assault.