Playful IMPERIAL ASSAULT is in principle similar to example Hero Quest, Advanced Space Crusade, Star Quest, and of course, in a later generation, Decent. A player plays the troops of the empire and acts somewhat as a game master (but of course active players involved on the board), the or the other players each control a hero who, of course, is designed much more differentiated than the imperial supremacy and Skills etc. may have. Additionally allies can intervene in the game.
The game is played on a modular composite and very flexible terrain where, depending on mission parameters (very different and varied missions are present) new tasks are always met. Of course provides IMPERIAL ASSAULT, just like the aforementioned comparison title, the opportunities to play a campaign.
First of all to the exterior: you can say what you want, in terms of equipment and presentation makes Fantasy Flight Games Games Publisher something probably not present before. So even with IMPERIAL ASSAULT: surely you will find the game in higher priced frames, but is definitely impressive in terms of abundant contents, the presentation and the quality of the components. The rule books are well written and nicely finished, the floor plans show buildings, forests, deserts and more and look great, the cards and counters are well finished and attractively designed, and the models are simply fantastic and very dynamic poses.
For the game itself: who knows the above titles will feel quickly at home in a playful IMPERIAL ASSAULT. The rules are based on the proposal presented by Fantasy Flight system to the Star Wars role-playing games, are actually easy to explain and offer a lot of playful depth. Especially with the rebels should be noted that each hero plays completely different and requires different tactics and, of course, that many Teamwork is everything.
Thanks to the fact that rebels and Imperial forces are in each turn alternately on train is hardly any downtime, the game is very fast and dynamic even as battles in the Star Wars universe should be. Also can be so obvious group tactics to prevent something that the whole comes easy to Good. The system also allows for a lot of tactics and skills, items and special abilities will be used clever if you just want to see the country run into the nearest cover and blunt open fire usually bring fortunately not much, the game is so designed that both sides need to keep moving.
I find it interesting that IMPERIAL ASSAULT (as well as the aforementioned titles) course at its core, a Skirmish is wargame in which you try to relate tactically favorable positions, flat clear the opponents as efficiently as possible and to conquer goals. IMPERIAL ASSAULT but goes one step further: the missions are very nicely designed, and bring a lot of Star Wars atmosphere to the gaming table. It is good that both sides have goals, so it goes to the player of the Empire is not necessarily just a matter of eliminating all rebels, but just to fulfill its own agenda. I also managed the campaign mode that simply makes sure that the game tells a story influenced by the players, which indeed simply more fun and terrific fit for Star Wars.
A word for the price: IMPERIAL ASSAULT certainly is priced very steep, and certainly you can about the great flood of supplement packs think what you want. I myself react quickly allergic when games are put on the market in which the basic equipment is good only for a very stripped-down game and you're almost forced to invest in additional packs. Unbeaten in the discipline were some tracks made by Games Workshop in the early 90s, for example, only the playable with the basic box maximum threes (!) Mighty Empires. IMPERIAL ASSAULT goes here fortunately other ways: for not just competitive price so you get a lot of great framed game material, detailed rules and scenarios, in any case, for longer game a sufficient number of characters and so on, it is the buyer for his money too a lot on offer, which clearly puts the price.
All in all: If you like games like Descent in principle, HeroQuest or Advanced Space Crusade should IMPERIAL ASSAULT necessarily give a chance and who is a fan of the Star Wars universe, and especially the Star Wars series of Fantasy Flight Games like hardly comes to this game around ,