Hello everyone,
We were lucky enough to get our hands on, straight from Essen, the very first miniature from the StarCraft game published by Archon Studio. Excited by the announcement of this game’s release, we nevertheless remained cautious due to the limited information shared so far. We are, of course, part of the generation that experienced the early StarCraft titles and eagerly awaited their continuation, up to a finale that, from a personal point of view, felt somewhat rushed. This in no way diminishes our interest in the universe or in the release of this miniatures game.
Our first impression after Essen was mixed. The game’s presentation felt a bit rushed. The fact that the rules were not yet complete was not shocking in itself; however, the paint jobs on the miniatures and the demo table gave the impression of work done in a hurry. This slightly dampened our enthusiasm, especially as the miniatures appeared rather minimalistic in terms of detail. Despite this, we did not hesitate to pick up the promotional Zeratul miniature. At this stage, however, we remain undecided and are still hesitant about making a larger investment in the project. Everything will depend on several key factors: the final price, the quality and clarity of the rules, and a more detailed look at the upcoming miniatures. We must admit that, for now, we have not felt the expected spark, the kind that leads to impulsive, unquestioned purchases.
Let’s now turn to Zeratul. Once unboxed, the sculpt is generally successful. Of course, it does not reach the level of refinement and detail offered by Games Workshop, but there is nothing to criticize regarding the quality of the casting or the sculpt itself. In fact, this aspect in particular restores some of our confidence in the future releases of the range. For a price of €30, you get two Zeratul miniatures: one transparent version representing his cloaked state, and one in grey plastic, with the blade being transparent in both versions. And this is where the major disappointment arises: two miniatures… but only one base. In the absence of the final rules, it is difficult to know whether there is a real gameplay distinction between the two versions. However, if the rules were to differentiate them, this would clearly be a design oversight, especially since the pose of the miniature does not intuitively allow the second version to be placed on a standard base. This is truly unfortunate, as the rest of the product is of good quality.
Here is the miniature’s assembly guide.
The assembly of the miniature is truly excellent. All the parts fit together perfectly, even more smoothly than some Games Workshop kits. The mold lines are discreet and easy to remove.
It’s a slightly different story with the transparent version, where the joints and mold lines are harder to spot. As a result, it takes a bit more time to assemble, but the quality is just as good. As a bonus, this transparent version bonds perfectly with plastic glue, which is especially convenient.
Here is the grey plastic version fully assembled, while the transparent version is waiting for its 3D-printed base so that both versions can be displayed.
We can’t wait to show you the miniature once it’s painted. We will probably have the opportunity to test the game before then, and don’t worry, we’ll be sure to keep you updated on whether or not we decide to get involved in the project when the time comes.
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