I'll also discuss why magazines are a would-be adventure game designer's best friends. As part of this column, I'd like to call attention to any cool new products that catch my eye. At its worst, the game industry produces stuff that leaves me angry that I just plunked down cash for a product that doesn't measure up to what I can do myself. At its best, the industry produces books that that become indispensable references no matter what game I play. I can honestly say that it's impossible to imagine how empty my life was before I was introduced to the joys of hillbilly miniatures combat.
Play works essentially like a miniatures game.
But, rather than spend hours painting figures and sinking thousands of dollars into an army, the game comes with all the playing pieces that you need. Each of up to four players gets six cardboard stand-ups that represent the members of a hillbilly clan. The object of the game is to grab the Necronomicon out of the Old Whately Mansion, hustle it back to your home base, and summon the alien blasphemy of your choice, all while riddling your enemies with buckshot and mystic bolts of magic. The action is fast, fun, and furious. The rules force you to carefully consider your hillbillies' placement and encourage tactical thinking.