Just when you thought it was safe to hang around in the warp zone with a smug grin 'cos you've killed every sentient being, along comes a whole new bunch of slimy things just asking for a plasma bolt in the chops. The Voyage Beyond is an extra disk for Space Crusade, offering ten more missions; ten more opportunities to clump around in unfeasibly bulky armour carrying more unfeasibly large weapons, shouting a lot and shooting things.
If you haven't played the original Space Crusade you need to know it puts you in charge of five space marines, their mission being to enter space ships that have been through the warp zone, and - in the spirit of something noble, no doubt - kill things. There are three marine chapters with blood-curdling names, so up to three people can take part. Before the off you pick weapons, orders and equipment for your team. It's a classic skirmish wargame, each side takes turn to move and fire.
Your ST handles the alien forces and all the dice-rolling; you concentrate on the tactics and looking mean. After each mission you are given a score. Do well and you are promoted and get extra goodies.
The original game featured twelve missions, The Voyage Beyond adds ten much more difficult and more imaginative jobs to do. There are three new ranks to achieve which give you marine reinforcements. The flamer replaces the assault cannon in your arsenal and space ogres replace the rather puny gretchins in the alien ranks.
Verdict
Space Crusade fans are likely to feel a slight twinge of disappointment when first loading The Voyage Beyond. Sure, there are ten new missions to battle through which should keep even the most skilled player busy for a while. A few new features have appeared like teleport pads, but other than that changes are mostly cosmetic. The space hulk's graphics have changed and there's a new baddie and baddie pacifier. An ideal chance to give the game a complete revamp has been missed. How about a whole new set of aliens and equipment, or some more advanced rules?
Gremlin are releasing the Voyager Beyond bundled with the original Space Crusade at the same price, making a good game ever better. If you already have Space Crusade then it depends on if you are still hungry for more of the same. Battle-hardened space marines will love it.
Highs
Ten more devious missions into the warp zone in classic wargaming style.
1st May 1993
