Heroscape

Heroscape (stylized as "heroScape" or "HeroScape") is an expandable turn-based miniature wargaming system originally manufactured by Hasbro subsidiaries from 2004¹ until its discontinuation in November 2010. Geared towards younger players, the game is played using pre-painted miniature figures on a board made from interlocking hexagonal tiles, allowing for the construction of an interchangeable and variable 3D landscape. This system and the production quality of the game materials have been lauded by fans even after its discontinuation, eventually leading to its revival in 2024.

Heroscape (stylized as "heroScape" or "HeroScape") is an expandable turn-based miniature wargaming system originally manufactured by Hasbro subsidiaries from 2004 until its discontinuation in November 2010. Geared towards younger players, the game is played using pre-painted miniature figures on a board made from interlocking hexagonal tiles, allowing for the construction of an interchangeable and variable 3D landscape. This system and the production quality of the game materials have been lauded by fans even after its discontinuation, eventually leading to its revival in 2024.

History

Heroscape was first released in 2004 by game designers Craig Van Ness, Rob Daviau, and Stephen Baker through the Milton Bradley Company under Hasbro. The first master set was entitled Rise of the Valkyrie, featuring thirty plastic figures and corresponding cards, eighty-five terrain pieces of various sizes, and two ruins structures. From 2004 to 2008, releases included another master set (Swarm of the Marro), ten small-figure expansions, three large-figure expansions, and four large terrain expansions, alongside various exclusive sets and figures through partnerships with Walmart, Toys "R" Us, and Gen Con. In 2007, a master set based on Marvel Comics was released, entitled The Conflict Begins. Hasbro had recently acquired the license to produce Marvel-themed toys and merchandise. Featuring ten comic book characters and urban-style terrain, the Marvel expansion is still compatible with the regular game. In 2008, Hasbro shifted the Heroscape brand away from Milton Bradley to Wizards of the Coast (WOTC). At the time, WOTC was also responsible for the development and distribution of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). From 2008 to 2010, another master set (Battle for the Underdark) and three small-figure expansions were released featuring D&D-themed characters and concepts. These behind-the-scenes changes were reportedly intended to reduce production costs, but players also interpreted it as an attempt to convert players away from Heroscape to the more popular D&D line of products. On November 3, 2010, Wizards of the Coast announced that they would be discontinuing production of Heroscape products in favor of focusing on developing their core games: Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering. This announcement included the cancellation of various expansions already in development, such as a second wave of Marvel content. An immediate backlash occurred within the Heroscape community, including petitions and threats of boycotts. Despite the lack of official production for over a decade, the game remained popular with a strong community, regular tournaments, and user-created content. In 2015, Wizards of the Coast published Magic: The Gathering – Arena of the Planeswalkers, incorporating the rules and terrain based on Heroscape, but with the addition of spell cards, summoning, and select creatures and spells from the Magic: The Gathering universe. Two expansions were later released: Battle for Zendikar, which featured additional figures, updates, and combinations; and Shadows Over Innistrad, which adds a battlefield obstacle called the cryptolith. Some considered Arena of the Planeswalkers to be the spiritual successor to Heroscape, while others still disagreed. The game was discontinued in 2016. During the August 2022 Gen Con, Hasbro announced that another of their subsidiaries, Avalon Hill, would be attempting to release a new expansion entitled Heroscape: Age of Annihilation, showcasing a teaser trailer featuring new figures and terrain. Original co-designer Craig Van Ness was involved with the project, along with other dedicated members of the Heroscape community. A HasLab crowdfunding campaign ran from October to November 2022, but it did not reach the required number of backers by the deadline. In June 2023, Renegade Game Studios announced that it was taking responsibility for the reboot after reaching a licensing deal with Hasbro. In March 2024, Renegade revealed that the first wave would include the master set Age of Annihilation, along with expansion sets Battle for the Wellspring and The Grove at Laur's End.

Reception

Heroscape's interlocking hexagonal system and the relatively high production quality of the game materials have been lauded by fans years after the game was discontinued. In a review of Heroscape in Black Gate, Howard Andrew Jones said "Two thumbs way up for both the game and the expansion. Sometimes the products I buy are really neat and I read and enjoy them... then put them on the shelf. This is one that my whole family can enjoy for many years to come. If you used to love the idea of the original Risk but grew frustrated at the way blind dumb luck could overrule actual tactical planning, you're likely to enjoy this game. A lot." In a 2022 retrospective review, Comic Book Resources ranked Heroscape as the best discontinued board game, noting the ambition of "combining the fun of Lego with the excitement of miniature games." They also discussed how the modern-day costs of plastics indicate that a game of such scope and scale could never be replicated today, hence the interest in buying second-hand.

Reviews

Family Games: The 100 Best

Fan-generated content and tournaments

References

Various Heroscape releases from BoardGameGeek Heroscape Wave 10: Valkrill's Gambit at Black Gate Heroscape Wave 11 at Black Gate

Text derived from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362503637 under CC BY-SA 4.0; modifications have been made.