If you've been around Warhammer long enough, you've almost certainly heard of Blood Bowl - even if you've never played it. The self-proclaimed "game of fantasy football" has been knocking around in various forms since 1986 and has developed a devoted fanbase. It has a very different tone to the likes of Warhammer 40,000 and Age of Sigmar; more light-hearted and silly than grimdark, while also packing what's become a fairly fearsome ruleset. The current edition rulebook runs to a not-inconsiderable 140 pages and includes everything from different sorts of player injuries to hiring and firing players and the behaviour of your team's fans. Enter Blitz Bowl – the game's slimmed-down, more budget-friendly cousin.
First issued in 2018, this Barnes & Noble exclusive set offers a smaller-scale twist on the same principles. And while some of Games Workshop's entry-level titles (like Space Marine Adventures: Tyranid Attack!) primarily exist as a primer to the hobby, Blitz Bowl is actually a very solid and playable game in its own right.
