Remember in Star Trek where they have a holodeck? Well, effectively, that is the premise behind this. Each game, random board tiles are chosen (platters) and these are connected by triangular pieces (keys) which then make up the board for the game. A number of characters are then randomly given to each team (commonly 2 characters each per platter, so if you play on 3 platters, each team will have 6 characters). These characters are drawn from 4 different time periods, Ancient, Colonial, Modern and Future. Each character also has strengths and weaknesses and it is combining these characters with the board set-up that the strategies of the game will unfold.

This is not a complex game and is easily learnt. Each turn a team will move their characters on the board attempting to reach one of the four keys for each age. Within each key is a marker which denotes where the Guardian of each age is and when your character reaches this marker they are faced with a challenge. Successfully completing a challenge will move the marker forward one space and whichever team has the their marker further forward in each age will gain a victory point from it. Also, success is rewarded by gaining equipment which helps in melee and long ranged combat against the opposing teams characters. Having more surviving characters than your opponent also earns a victory point.

Once a challenge is completed, the character is then sent to a random dome which are on other keys.
(Continuing with the holodeck analogy, it would be like being beamed out back to base to begin another challenge).

That is basically what the game is about. Game ends after a set length of time, 1 hour per platter is usual.
The fun of the game comes from the way the characters interact with each other, with the weapons, with the challenges and with the terrain. Whether you are from a roleplay, wargame or general gaming background you should find something here to keep you interested, although having said that the game is not to everyones liking and does have a love it/hate it split among those who have played it. Personally, I fall into the love it camp and will quite happily play this when I can.

Review by Brian

A word about the expansions

You will see on the game page there are 8 sets to the game, plus two mini sets. All that you really need to play is the 1st set Worldspanner. This has enough game components to give you repeated play on its own.

Set 2 Intensity
This set adds another 3 map boards, 28 new characters, 52 new equipment, 40 new Guardians, 4 new keys and a rulebook that introduces new rules for pets, sentinels, HQs and mesas (high ground). If you buy another of the sets beyond the first set, I would reccomend this one.
Set 3 vast Horizons
This set has 21 new map boards and 18 new keys to use with them. These items are to compliment the ancient terrain that came with sets 1 and 2, with 7 map boards and 6 keys for each of the colonial, modern and future ages along with a rulesheet explaining how these new components are to be used within the game. It is not intended that all the boards are used in one game, (the play area would be huge and the game last for days!!), but that a selection of the 28 boards be used.
Set 4 Royal Tournament
This set has a new ancient age labyrinth key, plus 20 new characters and 52 new equipment cards.
Set 5 Mercenary Camp
This set has a new modern age labyrinth key, plus 20 new characters and 52 new equipment cards.
Set 6 Field of Honor
This set has a new colonial age labyrinth key, plus 20 new characters and 52 new equipment cards.
Set 7 Ruins of Cany XII
This set has a new future labyrinth key, plus 20 new characters and 52 new equipment cards.
Set 8 Masters Addendum
A new rulebook collects together all the rules from the previous sets, plus Worldspanner Chance Deck, 28 Blank Character Cards, 30 Blank Equipment Cards, 3 Player Aid Cards, Player Aid Poster, 46 Character Cards, 32 Equipment Cards, and Health markers.
Prestige Pack
This mini set has four unique characters and 4 equipment cards. Each character is a specialist in his age, with considerable weaknesses outside of his age.
Scrye Add On Pack
The Scrye Pack was made available in Scrye Magazine, issue 66.This pack contains four unique characters and 4 equipment cards.