When darkness falls in deep space they say that no one can hear you scream. When you’re on board the derelict vessel, the USCSS Theseus, infested with terrifying alien Xenomorphs and monstrous Predators, screams are all you hear! This is the world of the new miniatures-driven game from Prodos and Ninja Division Publishing, AvP 2.0: The Hunt Begins. New models, new rules, and new components all packed in a new, smaller box that make it even easier to pick up your game and share it with friends make this Second Edition a must-have for fans and newcomers to the world of AvP. Many of the new components will still work with the original AvP game as well, so this edition can expand the existing adventures or be played as an exciting, new foray into the stygian realm of fear and danger that is AvP. Models are always an exciting part of new games, and AvP 2.0: The Hunt Begins is no different. The new miniatures are single cast and each faction is modeled from different colored plastic so the game is ready to play straight out of the box. They’re completely new models, sculpted to bring out the beauty (and terror!) of AvP. The game comes with U.S. Colonial Marines armed with state-of-the-art weaponry — necessary equipment when searching the USCSS Theseus for alien threats. Of course, the Xenomorphs stalk the corridors with new poses and beautifully sculpted details. Plus, an elite cadre of Predators, powerful hunters always seeking the greatest of challenges and prey, are also included in the new box. Even the box for AvP 2.0: The Hunt Begins has been reformatted with the player in mind. Designed to be more compact, yet still stow all the components securely, this new edition makes it even easier to take your game on the road to play with friends. It comes with pre-cut foam designed to hold all 23 miniatures, 75 game board tiles, 110 cards, 143 tokens, and dice in place whenever you travel or reluctantly put the game away until the next adventure. The designers have updated the rules of play for AvP 2.0, making it faster and more streamlined to play. There are options for easy play for beginners, and more advanced rules for those experienced players who wish to take their adventures to the next level. Plus, advanced rules now provide point values for the xenomorphs, predators, and marines so that players can campaign with others and have point-balanced play. There are new custom victory conditions, a ‘Last Stand’ system, where players can choose to play cooperatively against the terrors of the darkness, or just battle it out as the factions struggle to survive aboard the derelict craft drifting in the silence of space. As with the box itself, this new rulebook is smaller, yet packed with new diagrams and examples that make the game even easier to learn and more exciting to play. The characters within the game have received updates, as well. The Xenomorphs are even more terrifying (if that’s even remotely possible) with an upgraded tail strike attack and the ability to perform more attacks when close to their victims. Even their acid blood has become more lethal! The Predators are still powerful, fast, and mean. Weapon rules have been adjusted so that all factions are more evenly matched, but even if a Marine gets a save against the Smart Disc weapon of the Predator, it’s still a very deadly and scary weapon of these lethal hunters. Possibly the most amazing upgrade with AvP 2.0: The Hunt Begins is that the game has notably more reasonable price point than the original…this, despite the fact that it boasts all-new models, an excellent box design, and streamlined game play that will make it even more popular and accessible than its predecessor. This game is ready-to-go right out of the box with no assembly required, so it will appeal to the gamer who simply wants to play. The miniatures, however, are so finely detailed that the game will also appeal to hobbyists who love personalizing their games with painted models. AvP 2.0: The Hunt Begins brings the exciting and terrifying adventures aboard the USCSS Theseus to life with new art boards, new miniatures, new rules, and new ways to play, while still preserving the horrors of exploring through a derelict spaceship hoping to stay alive. Whether you’re a novice player or experienced gamer, this new edition creates a fast-paced, claustrophobic, “express elevator to hell” miniature game that’ll be a welcome addition to any tabletop! |