So much.
The traveling, the settlement adventures, the heroes, the skills, the leveling up.
There’s just so much!
But I think the ability to have a Game Master-less experience that rivals a true RPG is what makes WHQ really shine.
Warhammer Quest was intimidating
Maps don’t have to be pre-generated to be interesting. Set up the boss fight somewhere near the end and you’re all set. It’s an added bonus that the objective room might not necessarily be the last card in the deck. It keeps you guessing, especially when you have multiple T-junctions.
I think WHQ really holds up because the game can be what you want it to be:
- Boardgame – CHECK
- Cooperative dungeon crawl without a DM – CHECK
- Full-blown RPG with DM- CHECK
Plus, the system is big enough that you can play as big or small a game as you want, and you’re still playing WHQ.
As much as it pains me to say it; my first love (HeroQuest) doesn’t have that flexibility. The game is distilled so far down that once you start adding too much, you’re not playing HeroQuest anymore. Which is fine. There’s nothing wrong with beefing HQ up into a deeper game, it’s just not HQ anymore. WHQ though, is still WHQ.
I do have to admit, I’m not a super “gamey” person. Warhammer Quest was intimidating. So intimidating that I didn’t attempt to read the rules despite having them in my possession for years. When I did finally get around to reading them, I read them like I was in school. I read the Quick Start Guide (it’s better than the rulebook), the Rulebook, and the Roleplay Book, all cover-to-cover. I took notes when I read Lair of the Orc Lord and Catacombs of Terror.
So, I’d definitely say that one of WHQ’s strengths is that it’s the right size. It’s a big enough game without being so overly complex that it’s unapproachable, unplayable, or unlearnable. And, if you make mistakes playing, it doesn’t stop you from playing or having fun. You can just keep on rolling and try to avoid mistakes in the future.
All-in-all: it’s a fun dungeon romp. We try to keep the game moving and not get too bogged down. The cooperative aspect is super fun, we’re all players working together to survive in the depths of the world of Warhammer Quest. Cheers!
