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Blood Bowl

EMAIL PRINT xbox360

5.6 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 27 critic reviews
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Based on 12 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Focus Home Interactive

Developer: Cyanide Studios

Genre(s): Sports

Players: Multi

ESRB Rating: RP (Rating Pending)

Release Date: November 27, 2009

Summary

A brutal team sport unfolding in a parallel fantasy world based on Warhammer and American football, Blood Bowl invites gamers to form a team of players from races including: Orcs, Elves, Humans, Dwarfs and many other fantasy creatures, and launch themselves into battle in the bloodiest of arenas. This strategy sports game combines a fine balance of tactics and bone crunching action! The game offers two game modes. The first, which is fully real time, offers spectacular gameplay with intense battles between blocking linemen and daring displays of agility of players leaping and dodging through opponents tackle zones, while powerful spells and dirty trick special plays are unleashed across the field. All this creates a highly charged atmosphere. Of course, since it is sometimes difficult to keep an eye on the entire field at once, the game's interface offers different tactical and strategic setups, while the AI is responsible for managing the players on the field. The second game mode, an actual turn-based game, is a treat for players of the original board game because it is an exact replica of Games Workshop's tabletop masterpiece. The original rules have been faithfully reproduced, and it contains all of the devices, strategies, play and rhythm of the original game. [Focus Home Interactive]

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Game Informer

If you’re already a Blood Bowl vet, the Blitz mode makes this version worth your time. But even though I find satisfaction in pulling off even the simplest of the game’s maneuvers, setting up all of its dominos is just too exacting for my taste.

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GamingXP

At least we have an adequate alternative to normal living room football. You also need the same amount of tactics, but simply have more choices! All the stuff you ever wanted to do in a sports game such as doping, corruption and fouls awaits you here. But you really need time to get used to the gameplay. If not, you won't really have fun playing this title.

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MondoXbox

The greatest achievement of Blood Bowl developers has been staying uber-faithful to the original board game rules, delivering us a deep and very rewarding game that should meet the tastes of every turn-based strategy lover. Unfortunately, the game stumbles on an bad user interface, complete lack of online leagues support and a too basic tutorial that fails to explain the game fundamentals to newcomers. If you're already a fan of the board game you'll surely like it, but everyone else should consider buying it only if willing to dedicate several hours to learn the game basics.

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Console Monster

If you're considering making an investment in a massive time sink of a game, then Blood Bowl could be your answer. It is definitely a game for the reserved thinking man - there is no way it can be beaten with simple button-mashing.

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Cynamite

A neat mixture between sports, tactics and the famous Warhammer franchise, but overall too hard for beginners.

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Meristation

A extremely hard game when playing against the CPU, but also extremely fun. It requires a lot of practice in order to use the best tactics, players and tricks, but it's worth it. The different races with their own abilities add replay value, along with the many game modes and the multiplayer.

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MS Xbox World

Overall, Blood Bowl is a game that will appeal to fans and non-fans alike, providing the later stick with it and give it a chance. Unfortunately, most won't, and understandably, will look elsewhere soon after loading the game up.

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Multiplayer.it

If you can get over the compromises through which the X360 version went starting from the PC one, you may enjoy a fun and compelling game. Board game's fans should surely give a close look.

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IGN AU

Videogame versions of board games have not killed off the real thing. If Blood Bowl for Xbox 360 is the best the medium can offer, then they never will.

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GameZone

Blood Bowl is a missed opportunity as evidenced by the potential of the source on which it’s based. If you really want to get into the depth and fun of Blood Bowl, you’re better off checking out the board game.

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Official Xbox Magazine

Blood Bowl's disjointed real-time mode is hard to control and keep track of, making it a complete waste of time. [Apr 2010, p.81]

SpazioGames

Blood Bowl is the classic example of a game made and packaged for the fans. Anyone who knows this digression sports Warhammer in its primary form, you will learn in this release without major gaming concerns, the only obstacle to see a largely untapped segment in online PC version is much more complete through the online leagues. If you do not know of the existence of the Blood Bowl until this review, before any purchase is absolutely recommended a field trial, given that most players could remain seared by a strategy so complex and could find the way in Real time too superficial and linked to that to turns.

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IGN

Blood Bowl is a respectable attempt at bringing the ideals of a board game to a videogame. It has decent elements of personality, but the abundance of text and rule memorization can be a downer when all you want to do is get into a game.

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ZTGameDomain

Blood Bowl is an interesting concept that is just poorly executed. Fans of the tabletop game are better off checking out the PC version if they can. If you don't have any other option there is fun to be had here but you have to commit yourself to dealing with the shortcomings of this version.

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XboxAddict

It is unfortunate that this installment is overshadowed by so many faults because the nature of the original game lends itself well to the Xbox visual capabilities.

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GamePro

Tabletop fans will probably enjoy playing it when a flat surface and friends aren't available for the pen-and-paper version. For everyone else, it's best to go into Blood Bowl understanding that it's best played with others, and largely a brow-furrowing affair when played solo.

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TeamXbox

It misrepresents itself, it isn't particularly pretty, it alienates newcomers because it's so difficult to comprehend, and it may not even appeal to Blood Bowl aficionados because it's so pricey. And that leaves it as an extreme niche product.

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Eurogamer Spain

A correct game, but we encourage buyers to get the PC version, which has an online league that really makes the difference.

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Cheat Code Central

It's little more than Xbox 360 shovelware that no one's going to pick up. Do yourself a favor: If you absolutely must own Blood Bowl the video game, pick it up on PC. Not only will you save $10 bucks, you'll get an extra playable race, better controls, and a more vibrant community.

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GameTrailers

Blood Bowl is sure to alienate those expecting something akin to Mutant League Football, Pigskin Footbrawl, or similar fantasy-based football games. The poorly designed tutorials, dated visuals, clunky interface, and deliberate pacing are not going to attract those who aren't already familiar with the tabletop game.

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GameSpot

There's fun to be had in this adaptation of the Blood Bowl tabletop game, but it strips away some important features.

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X360 Magazine UK

Horrible tutorials. [Issue#55, p.92]

WonderwallWeb

Blood Bowl is quite a disappointing game which is hard to play and not much fun.

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Gamer Limit

Tabletop fanatics may find some enjoyment here. As for the rest, your money is better spent elsewhere.

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Kombo

Unless you are already a Blood Bowl fanatic, do not buy, rent or waste any of your time with this game.

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AceGamez

All in all, there are better sports games and better fantasy games out there, and the fact that there aren’t many “fantasy-sports” games is probably all that will save Blood Bowl from being completely overlooked.

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Official Xbox Magazine UK

One for board game veterans only. [Feb 2010, p.109]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 5.6 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

S ceptic gave it a3:
Games Workshop usually produce extremely high quality and ridiculously expensive products.However,this is a very low quality,expensive product.

Alex gave it an8:
Great if you've played the board game, IMO. Otherwise I'd suggest to try before you buy. Just to counter an earlier reviewer, Dice roll requirements are in fact displayed in the bottom left hand corner.

jay gave it a10:
I've never rate game 10 but the poor score of the players make me angry...because the game is great if you like strategy and "warhammer" universe. the 8 clans are very different and very funny to play...but not in real time...this is just what i agree with padds and for the graphics-filled of bugs. Apart from this, as i mentioned it above, there is a lot of strategies and difficulties...and a little bit of role playing game inside the game. But i guess it will not like has everyone. You will like it or not, there's no middle i think. The first thing to do, even if it's not easy to understand at the beginning, it's to read the booklet. Find a race, ressembling how you play, and take your time to play as well as you could. The first encounters can be disconcerting. Good play !

N T gave it a0:
Game is not as described on almost all websites (no online leagues). I returned it for a full refund with the help of my local trading standards officer. Steer clear of this game.

Padds gave it a0:
Once in the dim and distant past I played Blood Bowl and nearly every other GW release so I'm something of a fan with very fond memories of playing in a league down my local (there were a lot of geeks nearby). The 360 ... adaptation of Blood Bowl is an utter joke. Forget the real time mode, why the hell anyone thought it would be a good idea to code that is beyond me - the person who made the decision to include it should be fired. The graphics are pathetic and don't even come close to achieving what the 360 has to offer. Animations are limited to say the least. The menus are clunky. AI is a term Cyanide clearly don't understand. Dice roll requirements aren't displayed before an action is decided upon. There is no customization worth speaking of and then to top it all off - There are no online leagues or custom teams online! I couldn't even bring myself to award one star as I feel so ripped-off. As far as I was concerned the game is defective and I took it back for a full refund.

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