Where Malifaux sits more in the Historical/Fantasy setting, Infinity is more of a futuristic/Sci-Fi game with the tagline of “it’s always your turn! Set a few hundred years into the future, humanity has spread to the stars, met new life and new civilisations and then proceeded to shoot them.
What is Infinity?
Infinity is a skirmish game with between 7-10 models (although dependant on faction you can have between 4-20 models). Each player activates their models with order tokens, and uses all these tokens before the opponents turn. A model may activate more than once as long as you have orders available.
Are there any Unique Mechanics?
Infinity has “Private” and “Public” information. Some models have abilities such as camouflage, which is represented by a token, or just a note stating where it is. Some figures can pretend to be other models. Both of these examples demonstrate information termed private. Revealed models are public and your opponent can see their stats if they request it. Therefore you may not know everything about an opponents force until they have fully revealed it. While this is powerful, you can also do the same.
Infinity also has Automatic Reaction Order (ARO), where your models can react in your opponents turn. As everything happens simultaneously, you can choose the most opportune moment to strike. Do you risk running out to the objective and in doing so, risk take fire from your opponents force?
How easy is it to get into?
Veteran players can sign up to be a “Warcos”, these players will demo games and help new players into the game. Infinity also has two versions currently, Code One and 4th Edition. 4th Edition is the full ruleset, whereas Code One is a slimmed down ruleset which can be used to get into the game.
Rules can be downloaded directly from the Infinity Website. Like a lot of current games, there is also an app for army building, which also links rules to the wiki.
Individual figures retail at around £11 each, with six figure starter sets at around £45. Yearly starter sets containing two forces plus some scenery cost around £100, and there are more complete army sets being released at around the £70 mark. These are usually 300 points of models which makes up a typical force.
Pro’s and Con’s
Pro’s
- Amazing Miniatures
- Both players always playing and can act in each others turns
- Objective based play encourages balanced lists
Con’s
- Rules can take time to learn
- Slightly higher initial cost than other similar games.
Summary
Infinity is a fun game which will keep you thinking. Can you see your opponent? should I shoot or dodge? and why didn’t I take a Doctor!?
There is a healthy tournament scene, and Corvus Belli make effort to keep older models relevant with refreshed rules. Regular model updates and a wide range of different styled factions and sub-factions means there is something for everyone.
