After my first game of Zona Alpha I have been a huge fan of Patrick Todoroff’s game systems.

Last Tuesday I had my first game of Mission Critical which is a lite version of Todoroff’s “Exploit Zero”. I have downloaded both from Wargames Vault.

According to Wargames Vault:

MISSION CRITICAL is a complete game for two players, designed to simulate short, sharp actions between elite, three-person teams in contested locations over critical objectives.

Mission Critical is about focus, brevity, and intensity of action in a world of cyberpunk espionage and mayhem.

Initially miniatures are not placed upon the board but markers are used for their location. Once discovered the markers are replaced with the figure.

Personally I prefer the use of acrylic figures as they look more the part. These are from BP laser

It uses the same terminology, dice mechanics, and basic procedures as the core Exploit Zero Cyberpunk Espionage and Mayhem rule set, but is modified to fit the smaller format, figure count, and scale of combat.

My Hacker/Combat Medic interfacing with an objective.

Mission Critical is played between two people in a 2 x 2 game area with a medium density of Cyberpunk or Near-Future terrain.

Jason’s corrugated cardboard “Shanty Village”

Games require six miniatures – three per side – and are played for six turns, with players gaining points for achieving mission objectives, eliminating enemies, and hacking local assets.

A single game can be played in 60 minutes. Less, if things get ugly fast!

I really enjoyed the game. Fast paced and minimal text to absorb!

My only criticism is the pages are not numbered which is a pain when one section of the rules refers you to a numbered page – WTF. I am not sure that the 73 page full version Exploit Zero: Cyberpunk Espionage and Mayhem will add any more enjoyment, but more on this in another post..

I will definitely play this one again.