Pre Blood Bowl 3
The year 2020, etched in memory as the year the world stood still. Confined to the four walls of my home, the siren calls of screens grew tiresome. My eyes yearned for a respite; my mind craved a different kind of engagement. I couldn’t go anywhere. Work was relegated to on screen all the time. That’s when I stumbled upon the world of Blood Bowl miniatures. These tiny figures, frozen in moments of gridiron glory and bone-crunching tackles, offered an escape from the digital realm and an entry into a world of vibrant colours and creative expression. With brushes in hand and paint pots arrayed, I embarked on a journey of artistic exploration, guided by the soothing voices of painting tutorials on YouTube and the thrilling narratives of several Black Library novels.
I was hooked. Fully and completely. I bought Blood Bowl 2 on Steam and played a bit there. But I soon realised there is a disparity between the rules in Blood Bowl 2 and those that are used in the tabletop game. That is when I heard about the development of Blood Bowl 3. I eagerly awaited its release for more glory on the grid-iron.
The Release
Blood Bowl 3, the latest digital adaptation of the beloved, brutally violent fantasy football game, arrived carrying the hopes and dreams of a dedicated fanbase. Developer Cyanide promised a refined and expanded experience. Incorporating the updated Blood Bowl Second Season rules, modernized graphics, and the potential of current-gen hardware. However, the game’s initial release was, to say the least, a failure. Fortunately, Cyanide has demonstrated a willingness to listen to the community and has been diligently working to improve the game through numerous updates. Let’s delve into the current state of Blood Bowl 3. Examining its initial shortcomings and the subsequent efforts to salvage this digital gridiron.
The launch of Blood Bowl 3 was nothing short of disastrous, leaving players and critics alike bewildered and frustrated. The content offering felt incredibly sparse, with a conspicuously limited roster of teams that omitted many fan favourites. This initial selection felt like a slap in the face to a community eager to field their beloved squads. Customization options, a key component of expressing individuality and team identity in Blood Bowl, were similarly bare-bones. Leaving players with few ways to personalize their players and teams. Furthermore, the game’s monetization strategy immediately drew heavy fire.
The in-game store was perceived as predatory, particularly the implementation of the “Blood Pass,” their version of a battle pass. The pricing of cosmetics and even the most basic customization options were seen as exorbitant and exploitative. This created a paywall that hindered a core aspect of the Blood Bowl experience.
Beyond these issues, the gameplay itself was riddled with bugs, from minor visual annoyances to game-breaking crashes and disconnections that abruptly ended matches. The AI, a crucial element for solo players, was frequently criticized for its illogical decisions and lack of strategic depth, making for an unsatisfying single-player experience. Finally, the game launched without many features considered standard from Blood Bowl 2, such as robust private league creation tools, customizable tournaments, and detailed player statistics tracking. These absences further fuelled the perception that Blood Bowl 3 was a rushed and incomplete product.
Continued Support
Since the rocky launch, Cyanide has released multiple updates striving to address the community’s concerns and improve the game. One of the most significant changes has been the gradual expansion of the team roster. Recent updates have introduced the Lizardmen, Necromantic Horror, Shambling Undead, Skaven, Halflings, Wood Elves, Goblins and finally the Norse. These additions significantly broaden the tactical options and overall variety. Directly addressing one of the loudest complaints regarding the game’s initial content offering. Even though they have released 8 new teams, it will be a long while before they catch up to the offerings of the tabletop. Each team release also brings a new stadium and a slew of Star Players to add to your team.
However, it’s worth noting that several popular and iconic teams are still missing. (Where are my Ogres, Cyanide?) The much-maligned Blood Pass system has also seen adjustments. Cyanide attempted to make it feel more rewarding and less intrusive. Mainly, by reducing the price of the first pass and increasing both the quantity and value of the rewards offered. While the Blood Pass remains a point of contention, these modifications are a step in the right direction towards a less aggressive monetization model. Addressing the technical side, the updates have squashed numerous bugs and improved the overall performance and stability of the game.
While some technical issues persist, Blood Bowl 3 is significantly more stable and playable than it was at launch. It is certainly a smoother and more enjoyable experience. The addition of the long-awaited admin tools is one of the major steps forward for the game. This gives players the ability to truly make their own leagues. Cross-play is now fully implemented, so you can play against your friends regardless of their choice of digital store front. Finally, while the AI is continually improving in each update, it continues to exhibit some questionable decision-making. It still falls short of providing a truly challenging and engaging opponent for experienced solo players.
Blood Bowl 3 players often complain about seemingly rigged dice rolls. However, the game’s code generates results as randomly as possible. Frustrating outcomes are frequently due to confirmation bias, where we remember bad luck more vividly. Improbable events are part of the game’s charm, creating exciting moments and unexpected turns. It can appear that the AI gets a better run of dice results. But playing the tabletop game is just as frustrating. “That’s how Nuffle likes it”
In its current state, Blood Bowl 3 is a vast improvement over its launch version. But it remains an ongoing project. The core gameplay, when functioning correctly, retains the engaging and brutal charm that defines the Blood Bowl experience. The strategic depth of team management, the thrill of levelling up players, and the inherent risk-reward decisions in every match are still the driving forces behind Blood Bowl’s enduring appeal. Visually, the game, while not a massive leap forward, does offer improved graphics and animations compared to its predecessor. The commitment to active development from Cyanide is also a positive sign. With the regular updates demonstrating a willingness to listen to player feedback.
However, despite the progress, Blood Bowl 3 still bears the scars of its troubled launch. The monetization, though improved, still feels heavy-handed to many players. The in-game store and Blood Pass, while less egregious than before, continue to be a source of controversy. Cyanide Studio has added some previously missing features since launch, but many players still clamour for features that were present in Blood Bowl 2. This leaves a lingering sense that Blood Bowl 3 is still struggling to catch up to its predecessor. While significantly more stable, occasional bugs and performance issues still crop up, detracting from the overall experience. Similarly, the AI, while improved, still needs further refinement to provide a truly compelling single-player experience. Finally, the continued absence of some beloved factions from the tabletop game is a lingering disappointment for many fans.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, Blood Bowl 3 is a game that is gradually, perhaps painstakingly, improving. Cyanide’s dedication to addressing the game’s numerous flaws is commendable. The recent updates have rectified many of the most glaring issues. However, the game still carries the baggage of its initial missteps. If you are a dedicated Blood Bowl enthusiast who has been eagerly awaiting a version with the updated ruleset and are willing to tolerate some lingering issues, then Blood Bowl 3 might be worth considering. Especially if you can find it at a discounted price. However, if you are new to the franchise or less forgiving of the game’s monetization practices, it might be prudent to wait for further improvement. Or perhaps opt for the more polished and feature-rich Blood Bowl 2. But please remember that Blood Bowl 2 uses the old ruleset if you play both the digital and tabletop versions.
Blood Bowl 3: A Review of the Gridiron
Summary
Enter Blood Bowl 3 is no longer the catastrophic failure it was at launch. It’s evolving, slowly but surely, into a more respectable entry in the franchise. It’s not quite a touchdown, but it’s no longer a complete fumble either. Not only that, but it finds itself somewhere in the middle, steadily advancing down the field, with the potential for a future victory. Only time will tell if it can ultimately reach the end zone and win over the hearts of its demanding fanbase.
