On February 20, I visited Little Big Wars in Fargo, ND for our monthly gathering of Red River Area Wargamers (RRAW). As one of our members was recovering from arm surgery, we were privileged to experience the merging of historical gaming and the genre of steampunk via the game Land Ironclads (you can check out its Board Game Geek listing here), where we played a scenario related to the Siege of Sevastopol during the Crimean War, including the charge of the Light Brigade. I played on the Russian team and manned the large leviathans used to represent the heavy guns that would resist the Light Brigade. The experience was quite fun and interesting.
In a typical historically-based game, the table features lots of lovely painted miniature figures of infantry, mounted troops, artillery, or vehicles, depending on the period portrayed. Land Ironclads examines the concept of an alternative late 19th century, where steam power is much more powerful and technology has progressed several decades ahead of historical reality, as our forces included various steam-powered machines and contraptions akin to the British Mark IV tanks of World War I.
In addition to our land-based forces, we also combined the game Aeronef into the overall scenario. Aeronef covers the same concepts as Land Ironclads, but in an aerial format. Thus, our forces also consisted of large Dreadnought-type vessels that are capable of flight and provide a great deal of support and can rain down destruction on the land ironclads if needed. The Aeronefs allowed the Allied forces of Britain and France to achieve victory over the Russian Empire.
The mechanics are relatively straightforward, as you move your units and, if a target exists, you can shoot, though you will be unable to shoot the next turn, as you will have to use your action to reload. You also have the potential for your vehicles to break down, depending on your die rolls. Each vehicle has various ratings related to their abilities, and if you take enough damage, your abilities are reduced based upon a roll of a D10.
Overall, the combination of historical scenario with steampunk-type setting was refreshing, as I am not one for much in the way of fantasy/sci-fi style games. In the case of Land Ironclads, I would make an exception.
Rating (scale of 1-5):
Theme: 5
Playability: 5
Miniature Quality: 5*
Cost: Looks relatively inexpensive
Overall: 5
*Our GM, Malcolm, hand built his pieces and they were very well done.
In closing, Land Ironclads is a game that bridges several different genres in gaming and offers something unique and amusing that is well worth considering if you are in to alternate reality and are a fan of H.G. Wells, whose short story The Land Ironclads (1903), likely inspired the creators of this game.
Parva Bella 