“A popular skirmish wargame from Warlord Games is being resurrected, following the 2016 title Project Z back to the tabletop. With a limited edition pre-order run, the game will include updated rules to bring the apocalypse into 2021.” Warlord Games

The update was absolutely needed as there were quite a few issues with the original 2016 version which demonstrated a poor approach to quality assurance and proof reading” you often see with Warlord Games products.

Misprinted cards, and contradictory rules, showed what looked like a distinct lack of play testing with independent control groups. Amendments on their website did not really make up for those who had spent their “hard earned” on a half baked game. Harsh but true.

I am pleased to say that most of these glitches seemed to be ironed out this time around.

The rules are a variation of their Dr Who game and seem to work quite well, although my familiarity with the Dr Who system may have made this easier.

The figures are up to the usual Warlord Games plastic standard. The quality and variety of poses is great but in this day and age the people I talk to are not wanting to spend endless hours putting together a figure with up to a dozen parts. I certainly don’t. If we want to do this we use 1/35th scale scale plastics or 54mm/75mm metals.

I do like the Biker gang box set with three bikes, some with pillion riders, and the Special Operations Teams box set.

The Special Operations team Humvee is a crisp model. whilst it is a simple model to put together, there are no instructions, or even a photo on its “generic” box to assist the novice gamer. You need to go to the website if you want a painted photo as a guide.

There are two metal figures one zombie and another survivor (?)

The lolipop school crossing supervisor termed a zombie beast. Just an upgraded zombie.

Dr Puke who has found a way to circumvent some of the brain-dead functions of the shambling hordes, augmenting the horde and bending them to his will. Under his leadership, Zombies become a dangerous and viable playable faction, rather than be controlled by the game. This is an excellent option!

There is the capacity to run your own campaign as your group of survivors can gain additional skills and equipment, but there is only the typical Warlord Games couple of 12 page rules booklets, one with the rules and the other with scenarios that we are used to for these boutique games. This leaves the campaign information very light on.

I prefer the Last Days of the Zombie Apocalypse put out by Osprey Publishing that has great rules, excellent campaign system, and more detail in a sequel for those who want to worry about games through the four seasons. Last Days is easy to learn and without a lot of the Warlord Games ambiguities.

I am not a real fan of the Project Z system and would recommend that you be very selective with what you purchase. The starter set with the rules is just OK as there are a lot better Post Apocalyptic zombie rules out there.

My advice is buy the Biker box and the special Operations Team and vehicle, use Zombicide figures for the rest (more detail and figures do not require assembly), and play with the Last Days rules.

This will work out cheaper and provide a better game.