WWII interests me. Miniature wargaming interests me. It’s a no brainer that a miniature wargame about WWII should interest me! Well Flames of War does just that. But, even though it’s been around for a number of years now, I still have (technically) not bought into it.*
Why? The price. Plain and simple.
*Technically because I did in fact pick up the Open Fire! starter set, and a platoon each of GIs and Germans. The starter set I have yet to assemble, probably until I’m ready to seriously consider getting into the game. The platoons I actually bought for a possible future project of 3D-ising GMT’s Combat Commander (see my 3D C&C Ancients project).
But the price to get into Flames of War is high. The models are beautiful, and from what I’ve seen of the rules, through reading the book and reading AARs, it’s quite an interesting game. And I usually am not afraid of price when getting into a game (hence 3 1/2 Warhammer Fantasy armies and a $100 Heavy Gear Blitz starter), but I think Flames of War takes it up a notch or seven.
There are definitely people to play against, locally. Toronto, and especially nearby Dueling Grounds, seems to have a pretty stable Flames of War community. But still, there’s something holding me back.
Maybe it’s not even (just) the price? Maybe it’s the fear of painting in 15mm! They be some tiny fighters, let me tell you. It’s a new scale for me, and I’m having enough trouble finishing projects in 28mm!
Now there are mini-makers like Plastic Soldier Company that are bringing out much cheaper alternatives to Battlefront’s line. Granted, it looks like lower cost carries with it lower quality, but at 2+ feet above the table, especially with the amount of units and terrain that a Flames of War game calls for, does it really matter if all of the rivets are on the side of that tank? Yes, I’m exaggerating here, but you know what I mean.
So, with these cheaper alternatives, and there are more out there, is cost still an excuse? In short, no, it shouldn’t be.
So, will I be running out to pick up 15mm WWII models to get into Flames of War? In short, no, not yet. I think it might be a future game for me. Maybe 2013 or so, after PSC and the like have released more that I could choose from. Who knows, maybe I’ll do more research on alternative models in the coming months and get more interested in the game. It’s quite possible, knowing me.
I might also, maybe, possibly, get on that 3D Combat Commander game, especially if Steve from Meeplemart finishes his relevant terrain and convinces me. But I’ve got a few other projects I’d like to complete, or at least get closer to completion, before then.
The verdict? No to Flames of War. For now. But it will remain on the could-be list, for sure.
**Image borrowed from Flames of War website.
