Aeromautica Imperialis

So, I finally got to try out Forgeworld's 40K air combat game, Aeronautica Imperialis. It's a pretty fun, elegant little air combat game. It's been a while since I've really played anything like it and I have to say that it's really fun.

The game is pretty straight forward. Each turn the players choose a maneuver for each of their planes in secret and note them down on a roster sheet. Then you roll initiative and alternate moving the planes. You have to move a minimum of 2" forward then, at some point you use the maneuver card to perform your maneuver. This straight movement plus the card make up the entirety of your move. After movement you then fire (the person with initiative goes first). Simple.

There are a few things that make the game really interesting. First, the game actually uses the third dimension. Different maneuvers give you the option of climbing or diving. You can only shoot at aircraft that are within one height level of your aircraft (and if they aren't on the same level they're harder to hit). Second, you track ammo. This means that you aren't just firing your weapons willy-nilly. Every shot is precious so you really have a tough decision to make each time somebody is in range of your guns: Fire now or wait for a better shot. Third, there's real differences between the races.

In addition, there's a campaign system (that I haven't ried yet) that pits two players against each other in a battle of attrition.

I really wish that this game was something that we could sell, but unfortunately, it's only available from Forgeworld in the UK. And... it's pretty pricey. Still, I think that I'll be picking some planes up as money permits.