Now this is inspiring. Rather than violently slaughtering each other on the battlefield, a multitude of races from the Warhammer universe have started slaughtering each other at American Football instead. Based on the Games Workshop board game, Blood Bowl sees you forming a team – out of Orcs, Dwarves, Humans, Lizardmen etc – before taking on an entire fantasy kingdom in a sport more violent than ice hockey.

Its primary inspiration is obviously American Football, but it grafts its own rich set of rules over the top, and the result is a sport with some considerable depth. But, while the game represents everything admirably well, it decides to explain it in one of the most half-hearted tutorials we’ve ever seen. Some familiarity with Blood Bowl and its rules is required, and taken for granted.

This isn’t too bad: it’s faithful to the board game, and a departure from any other sports title that comes to mind. If you’re part of the miniscule demographic interested in it, Blood Bowl is deep and often rewarding to play.

Sep 18, 2009