40K Deathwatch: Tyranid Invasion

Anybody else playing the new IOS/Android 40k game, Deathwatch? It's REALLY REALLY good. It's done by Rodeo Games, who did WHQ...it's basically the old Hunters game they did (that got them the GW gig), but with some updates and tons of 40k flavor added. It kind of feels a little like Space Hulk opened up to be more of an SRPG-style game. You have five marines, you tool them up, and blast 'Nids. 'Nuff said, really. Everyone levels up and you can spend XP to open up new abilities, enhance their stats and so forth. Very customizable. I think there's like 40 single player missions with three difficulty levels and also multiplayer coming.

It's all very well done though, same level of polish and detail as WHQ. But they did something that may be controversial. You have five "starter" marines, but there are something like 40 available and 200+ pieces of wargear, weapons and so forth. That you can buy with requisition points earned in the game, or you can buy packs of cards pretty much just like in Hearthstone. For 100 RP, you get a pack with two pieces of equipment and a marine. There's several different levels of rarity, marines of different chapters, etc. Buying packs is $2.99 for two and up. Also- like Hearthstone- you can craft stuff by burning up your unwanted gear/marines for RPs. You can't buy specific cards yet, which is kind of a mistake I think.

The thing is...I actually kind of like it this way. I bought a couple of packs and it was fun to get some new stuff. I got a Champion-level Blood Angel and some sigils that he can use. I probably won't spend much more because so far the game is fun enough without spending more than $4.99. Hopefully they'll expand it like they did with WHQ, I'd really like to see a campaign against Necrons, Orks, Chaos, Dark Eldar...the one thing I'm concerned about is if shooting Hormies and Termies is going to get old. I think there are at least Hive Guards and Genestealers in there at some point, haven't seen them yet though.

Sadly, my lowly iPad2 is getting really outdated. A shame because I was really, really looking forward to this one. It's possible they'll port it for PC/Mac at some point, they did with WHQ. I'll have to be patient I suppose.

I hadn't heard about this one. I really enjoyed Hunters 2. I have an ipad 2 that I keep on iOS 6 so I probably can't even check it out.

Does it keep Hunter's "step up, shoot, step back" gameplay?

Thanks for the heads up on this, Barnes, I hadn't heard of it.