History of Space Crusade | HeroQuest's Sci-Fi Twin

The oft forgotten younger sibling of HeroQuest, Space Crusade (some times called Star Quest) came from the same designer and publisher and built on the lessons they had learned as well as jumping from the world of Warhammer into the 40k universe. But if you don’t know how Abraham Lincoln, Kermit the Frog, and James Cameron are involved in the game’s creation then why are you reading this when you should be watching the video!
I’m Jordan Sorcery and I research the origins, history, and lore of my favourite retro games - telling the story of the people who designed them, the companies that produced them, the characters that inhabit them, and the fun I had playing them.
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#spacecrusade #starquest #heroquest #40k
Find me on Instagram and Twitter @jordansorcery
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
02:39 Bradley's Hope - MB Games
05:32 Enter 40K
08:17 Space Crusade the Comic?
10:28 Art and Adverts
11:58 The Robot Children of Space Crusade
13:04 Expansions
16:16 White Dwarf and Puzzle Pieces?!
17:40 Video Games
18:36 Advanced Space Crusade & Tyranid Attack
22:27 A Tarnished Legacy?
25:40 Big Ideas
Images used belong to their respective copyright owners
Jordan Sorcery Coat of Arms and theme copyright @jordansorcery

[@nrgspike]

Space Crusade was certainly my gateway into 40k in the early 90's. I don't have many stories of playing in except one is vividly burned into my memory; I was playing the Eldar Attack expansion with my dad, I was in control of the Aliens, he had the Eldar. It was an a-typical mission setup involving 3 tiles in line. As I recall the primary objective was simply that the Eldar player had to reach and exit via a Webway Gate. A gauntlet-run essentially. As my Dad's Eldar progressed through the first 2 tiles they encountered very little resistance from the aliens. Setting up the conditions for the aliens to swamp the Eldar in the final tile and creating an unwinnable bloodbath - because I was a 13yr old prick and thought that would be a fun game. So my Dad enters the last tile, I smugly lay down a sea of Blips almost covering the entire corridor between his models and the Webway Gate. He sits there, looks at his cards, does some mental calculations... I forget the combination of cards he played but in a double-bounding leap, utilising a single clear tile space in the middle of the board, his Exarch reaches the Webway and escapes, meeting the win conditions for the Eldar. I was dumbfounded. I remember protesting that the rest of his squad would die, he just smiled and shrugged. Essentially I'd pulled a dirty waac move and still got stomped, it was if nothing else a powerful lesson in humility and not being 'that guy' which probably came along at just the right time in my life...

[@jordansorcery]

This is an incredible moral tale, and I have a similar confession! I did the same as GM in Advanced Heroquest, piling Skaven warriors up in the final tiles and clogging everything up. Everyone got rightly upset with 12 year old me and I’d like to think my resulting regret made me a better gamer! Thanks for sharing!

[@viggotannhauser7251]

Awesome story! I also played Space Crusade with my parents, on holiday as a 13 year old. I remember a game where the last marine alive was my mum's captain, surrounded on all sides by my Chaos hordes. Even though I threw everything at him, he fought his way out and completed the mission. My mum later told me she had a nightmare that night about being that Space Marine, having to fight for her life! She was really emotionally involved in the game. As a kid, I was very proud of having such cool parents. Thanks for this video, it brought back some very fond memories.

[@777Berzerker777]

You’re absolutely correct. The real space crusade is in our hearts. ❤

[@jordansorcery]

Impossible to get it out again without the help of an experienced tech-priest

[@drunkmonk123]

Finally, KZbin recommends quality content to me. Fascinating stuff. I think 40k's imminent move into 'boarding actions' will see Space Crusade reimagined definitively.

[@jordansorcery]

I think you’re right. There’s definitely a fun move back into the space hulks going on, I’ve really liked the new KT boxes. I hope it leads to a new Space Hulk/Crusade or even a Hulk themed WHQ! Thanks for the comment, really appreciate it!

[@laucoloma2264]

I hope so. I loved that game

[@vo1non]

I have a copy of the original. I’d love to see it reboot.

[@5ynthesizerpatel]

I think there might be some legal issues between GW and MB - shared rights and whatnot - that might not make that possible. GW do seem to have (FINALLY) cottoned on to the fact that - while 40k tabletop is their premium game - there is a market for more self-contained games within that universe that might serve as gateways to it - because it's not too long ago that they seemed VERY resistant to that idea - I was once escorted from a GW shop for having the gall to bring in my old copy of Space Hulk for people to try out (not kidding) Now they've come full circle on that and reissued (and keep reissuing after saying they wouldn't) Space Hulk - and brought back Necromunda and Bloodbowl - Epic seems to be the next old property on the list - so who knows?

[@DanielEbeck]

Space Crusade was my gateway, leading to a job in the GW Studio in the LotR era. Best time of my life.

[@jordansorcery]

That’s ace! Along with HQ it was key to me getting started, though I never made it the GW Studio! That must have been great fun, any memorable stories?

[@yssing]

That is really cool. W40K was one of the reasons I got in to tech.

[@acidvenom666]

I remember reading the Galaxy Quest manual (German edition) when I was a kid: Robots? Stun weapons? Looking at Genstealer figures and Spacemarines with bolters and thinking to myself: Riiiight.... 🤣

[@Grottenolm]

yes, non lethal-weapons like the Hologram-projektor, but in the original graphics of the rulebook is shown how gretchins are torn apart by explosions.

[@Kolyarut]

Started my 40k journey with the Amiga version of Space Crusade way back in the day, and I didn't think there was anything you could tell me about the game that I didn't already know - but that story about Steve Baker picking up the phone was incredible. The balls on that man, to not just say "hang on, I'll transfer you to head office"! Once upon a time answering the phone could give you job offers rather than spam callers, I suppose.

[@jordansorcery]

Incredible to think how many current gamers owe their hobby to that one phone call!

[@richardbradley2335]

Sure it was bugged ...Dnaught could only be destroyed by closing the door on it !

[@fredsmith1970]

I had Space Crusade, which I picked up in my early 20's, and played it to death with my brothers and mates. After completing most of the missions in the main campaign, I bought Mission Dreadnought. (Both the game and expansion were last played at ony of my mates' houses - who I fell out with - and never got them back.) A few years later when I was married, I managed to get another copy of Space Crusade (I think it was on offer for £20 at a B&M store.) Played this for a bit and painted the miniatures. When I was moving house, some of my games were temporarily stored in my parent's loft. When we were eventually settled in our new house, I went to retrieve my games and found that some of them had mysteriously disappeared... Space Crusade, Heroquest, Axis & Allies and Dragonlance. They been taken by my older brother and sold at a car boot sale! (minus some of the instructions and minis which I still had)😞

[@musmo]

I had it in Italian in the 90s thanks to my eldest brother (11 years older than me…). I loved everything of this game, I bought all the expansion… and I bought an English version few years ago to play it with my German friends now that I live in bremen… and on top of everything… I printed it in 3d and after 35/40 years I am actually painting it all!!! Gosh… I just wrote to my brother to thank him after all this time 😂 thanks for bringing me back to that time 😊

[@jordansorcery]

I'm happy to bring back a little nostalgia. What a great journey though, seems like Space Crusade has been with you throughout life!

[@scelonferdi]

That ending! "The real treasure are the friends you made along the way""🤣

[@jordansorcery]

And every word was true!

[@Boyer316]

If I remember correctly there was a weird rule in Advanced Space Crusade where you would react to the other players actions and it could end up in a huge loop where me and my friend just got stuck reacting to each other over and over, I got rid quickly.

[@jordansorcery]

Haha, that sounds like a wild oversight!

[@GameHammerCG]

Space Crusade was also my first foray into the 40k universe. I’d like to say I’ve been here ever since but I took a long and circuitous route. My love for the Crusade didn’t falter, however. What a game.

[@craigdavidson5613]

I happen to still own my copy of Space Crusade, given I believe it's one of the best board games ever made. I got it decades ago in the mid-1990's. I first learned about it from my brothers, given that one of them got Hero Quest in 1990, and I quickly learned about the other games in the range. When I discovered that the local toy shop was selling the core game for $19AU, I thought, this would be a perfect opportunity for me to get a copy. So I got it for a Christmas present. I also got the Mission Dreadnought expansion that year, given it was $9AU. Now that the games cost a pretty penny to get nowadays, I'm glad that I kept them. I then discovered that there was a second expansion, Eldar Attack, that never arrived in Australia. Being a completest, I later purchased the expansion on eBay. It might have cost $150AU, but it was worth it to complete the set. My copy of Space Crusade is a true treasure. And especially since I later got copies of Hero Quest, and Battle Masters, the other two games in the MB/GW trilogy of board games, for cheap at local charity shops. I pride myself for having the complete set. And it all started with Space Crusade, a long time ago.

[@jordansorcery]

You've done well to keep hold of them all this time - I was not as sensible! Amazing to have the complete set though, hope they still make it to the table every now and again!

[@justok40k]

here here! great video, exactly my sentiments and I would happily be that guy who starts the online groundswell, the clamour to get this reissued! Keep up the great vids

[@danroberts007]

Loved this one. As an American, the only bit of Space Crusade I own (and likely ever will) is White Dwarf #134. A couple things I thought I'd add (and I haven't checked the other comments so someone may have already beat me to it): Chaos Androids were also produced at 6mm scale for Epic/Space Marine along with the Dreadnought. I have a bunch of them, although, to be honest I have no idea what their rules are like. But they definitely exist! The first Space Marine novel, from Ian Watson and published in 1993, creatively titled, 'Space Marine' featured marines infiltrating a Tyranid hive ship, much like in Advanced Space Crusade or Tyranid Attack. As an aside, one of the marines was originally from Necromunda and his name was 'Biff'. Seriously. They even meet a Zoat! The earliest 40K novels were WILD. But I have to think they stuck in the Hive Ship scenes because of the game.

[@jordansorcery]

Oh wow, great catch! Now that you mention them I actually remember those little android minis for Epic! Interesting point about Watson’s Space Marine book, I’m not surprised they included some synergies with the game. If you’ve not seen it I actually go into Watson’s Inquisitor book a bit in my recent video on the Emperor’s Tarot as he wrote the first appearance of it in 40k lore!

[@franciscoguerra5439]

A fantastic video on my all-time favourite board game (and I own hundreds of them). It was the game that introduced me to Warhammer 40k in the early 90's, which would become my favourite hobby of all time in the years to come and all the way up to today. My well-used copy has literally travelled with me around the world, first bought in Portugal and now residing with me and my family in New Zealand. Here I've bought a couple of other copies of the game so I can restore one to full condition, while also retaining my original (and its two expansions) in my well-loved state that brings back so many fond memories of home and youth. Now I get to play it with my wife and daughter, and it has helped me introduce my girls to this amazing world as well, so in a way, it has all come full circle. Really informative and well researched video. Nice to see the old Space Crusade get some well-deserved love.

[@jordansorcery]

I foolishly got rid of my original copy in a big purge many years ago, have picked up bits and bins again over the years. The restoration copy is a great idea, and I love that you’ve kept your original and still play it with family, that’s so great. Thats the true legacy of Space Crusade right there!

[@Coldcasereview]

That's awesome!

[@johnfarscape]

just noticed lost patrol on your desk, i used the models from that to increase my advanced space crusade forces, advanced space crusade could end up being massive campaigns that took weeks to complete, absolutely loved it.

[@dyansis]

Space crusade was my entry point to the world of 40k. 29 years later and I'm still going strong. And as for the re release idea. I'd never heard of it and frankly I'm glad the idea of sexy marines in space fell flat on its face.

[@jordansorcery]

It’s amazing how many lifelong gamers it’s responsible for! I’d thankfully avoided the dodgy Prodos stuff until recently too, and am equally glad they didn’t stick around!

[@richardpaulcaird9192]

Space Crusade was my gateway into the warhammer 40k universe, it will always have a fond place in my heart💖. Never played the old Space Hulk but did play the numerous video games🎮, awesome👌🏻👍🏻‼️☺️

[@CrimsonTemplar2]

“…the perennial favorite - the genestealer.” That sounds like the kind of thing a genestealer would say. Kidding aside, I remember seeing these games & articles, but never had the chance to play them. The plastic scouts with the ludicrously oversized heavy bolters & that chaos dreadnought are the two things I remember most vividly.

[@jordansorcery]

We. Wait. THOSE Genestealers are just a great bunch of lads! I always thought those scouts must have the worst shoulder pain, their pauldrons are even bigger than their bolters!

[@thorsfew64]

My first induction into fantasy gaming. I went from space crusade to the add on dreadnought factory to the tyranids and scouts, to games workshop. I found games workshop became and expensive re-release of rules and figures, so from there I spent many a Friday in my local game shop "Spirt games" buying board games and collecting MtG cards. Very good memories. Thank you for reminding me of the good times. I still have the figures as I couldn't part with "Ed209, the Alien auto cannons and the Androids". I'm so glad I am no longer alone in how these figures were seen by a younger "us"

[@jordansorcery]

You chose some great minis to keep hold of! I love those dreadnoughts, wish I’d held on to mine! Thanks for sharing, I agree it’s lovely to be reminded by the community of all those great gaming memories and games!

[@ptjogara]

I got the tyranids and scouts after reading those White Dwarf issues... Ended up playing Tyranids in 40k just because I was young and had a load of those models. I still have a soft spot in my heart for Scouts though....

[@craiganderson1033]

Space Crusade and Heroquest, were a huge entry point into the GW hobby, and i still have both and the expansions, and my 11 year old and 7 year old sons are also now loving playing them both

[@jordansorcery]

That's awesome, I love how these games have been passed on between generations. Absolute classics!

[@mattyg303]

It began with Space Crusade for me also. 20 years later I picked up Space Hulk 3rd ed and started reading a lot of the novels. When 9th ed 40K came out I jumped right in building on the armies I knew from those two boardgames. Wargaming is now a big part of my life, I paint models almost every day and play 1-2 games a week.

[@jordansorcery]

It’s a testament to how much character and theme they managed to cram into that SC box - it definitely made a lasting impression!

[@Tarelom]

I got StarQuest for Christmas in the early 1990s. I was maybe 9 or 10 years old. I can remember slowly unpacking the game and being amazed. Since I had the German version, the weapons were non-lethal, which I didn't think was realistic because of the dark atmosphere. So I changed that for myself and soon started to modify the rules, too. A heavily worn but loved copy is in my cupboard. And it was the beginning of my interest for the 40k lore

[@jordansorcery]

An incredible Christmas gift! I’m still amazed how much stuff they managed to fit into the boxes for this and HeroQuest, just amazing gaming value

[@superbn0va]

I would get it for the cover art only. Awesome game, one of my favorites! Fun, not too complicated and again much fun

[@noodles2459]

Honestly "Space Marine Adventures" Line of board games are now the spiritual successor of Space crusade in my eyes.

[@jordansorcery]

I think that’s a good shout, they definitely have that same kid-friendly pick up & play vibe

[@6Stevo]

Where the hell did this awesome channel pop up from?! I can tell, I am REALLY gonna enjoy this channel. 🥰

[@jordansorcery]

Ha, thanks for the support! Hope I can keep the fun stuff coming with a few ideas I’ve got for next year

[@housewife2000]

Fantastic video! I remember first seeing Space Crusade at primary school when someone brought it in on the last day of term, and it blew my tiny mind. Off down the 40k rabbit hole I went! And you're absolutely right about that cover artwork - it brought the whole idea to life and fired up the imagination.

[@jordansorcery]

Those last days of term were amazing, every kid bringing in some random classic game to play all day! Don’t think any of the kids in my class were cool enough to bring SC, you got lucky there!

[@davidk6269]

Thank you for this wonderful stroll down memory lane!!! Your absolute love of this game is apparent throughout this video. ; )

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks for the comment, I’m glad I was able to get the passion across!

[@stephenbaker6730]

Hi Jordan, Thanks for putting together this video. It's GREAT! As you say, Space Crusade does not get as much coverage as HeroQuest. I wanted Space Crusade to capture the tension and action of contemporary sci-fi movies. It needed to be its own game rather than a re-working of HeroQuest. Your video does a great job of highlighting the differences. I am so glad you enjoyed this game. The greatest reward for me as a game designer is hearing from people who have loved playing my games. Keep making your videos. They’re fantastic!

[@jordansorcery]

I'm really glad you enjoyed the video, and that it was reasonably accurate! I've a lot of love for both HQ and Space Crusade and I'm very grateful you made them. Happy, I've been able to bring a little more of their stories to light for some folk too! I'm actually working on a Battle Masters video too so if you ever fancy chatting about your terrific work I'd love to hear more!

[@ptjogara]

I was lucky in that I experienced both HeroQuest and SpaceCrusade through my cousins. My eldest brother was into GW games at that point and suggested my parent's buy me SpaceCrusade as a joint Xmas/birthday present. Luckier still, I had both of my brothers and a family friend willing to play the campaign with me. I still remember that time we used the expansion which included the tarantula weapon for the marines and my brother used it to block my genestealer in a room, as my maximum damage would never defeat the tarantula's armour.... happy days :)

[@jordansorcery]

Absolutely perfect games to tear open on Christmas Day! Sounds like your brother was playing to win! Fantastic use of circumstance - I love it!

[@trancedarkdust90]

Space Crusade……best 40k game I have ever played. Yeah I said it. Simple, fun and leaves just enough for wanting more…..

[@jordansorcery]

I can respect this! It’s absolutely one of my top 40k game experiences, still love it!

[@superbn0va]

I agree!

[@willgrealy1727]

I still own the original Space Crusade plus both Eldar Attack and Mission Dreadnought. Played all the missions and it was great fun.

[@lightinghound]

This was my introduction to warhammer 40k. That ad brings me back.

[@hughmac7423]

I've played all of these, back in time. I still have them too.

[@jordansorcery]

True classics!

[@themarchinggoblin8294]

My intro to 40k without even knowing it was playing space crusade on my amiga 500 like 25 years ago. Still never played it physically but it introduced me to 40k and space hulk.

[@jordansorcery]

A worthy introduction nonetheless, and a perfect stepping stone to Space Hulk!

[@samliekens5433]

My best friend owned a copy of HeroQuest back in the day, now he owns 3 or 4 of them. We weren't able to get our hands on a spacecrusade/StarQuest copy but it didn't stop us: we downloaded the boards and doors, and bought ourselves various 40K sets to create our own version! Creating house rules for both games.

[@mattallt5649]

Me and two friends at the time had space crusade. We used to put the three boards together to create 'mega crusade'. Not sure how we got that to work

[@jordansorcery]

That sounds epic! I really miss those kinds of wild inventive games with friends - house rules and smashing games together to make something else. I think I’ll need to find some time to do that kind of thing again this year!

[@AlVainactual]

Interesting to see 40k's history! Great vid!

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you!

[@stuarttempleton43]

I loved Space Crusade as a kid, and I still have a complete copy that gets dusted off now and then - it's a great game.

[@barcodebattler2587]

Had me cracked up with that line about the real space crusade being "in here" all along until the end of the video😂

[@ampeater777]

11:27 yo that commercial was awesome

[@jordansorcery]

It’s still one of the best!

[@CarlEmmoth]

Space Crusade was really funny. We later bought Advanced Space Crusade and it was awesome to invade living space ships and destroy their body organs :) The blips was always exciting

[@jordansorcery]

Advanced Space Crusade had some really neat ideas and expandability, and I totally agree - the concept of invading the biofleets is great! - but I just couldn't get on with that board!

[@kurainoneko2]

"no time for mummies or zombies in space!!!" *frowns in necron

[@jordansorcery]

Well met! You’re actually dead right, they have both now!

[@thirteenthirtyseven4730]

As a kids who grew up with the german edition, I welcomed the ludicrous pacifist coat of paint tacked on to a universe whose core premise is eternal conflict. It allowed me to reconcile the undeniable draw of the game with my family’s values. I even thought my parents had bought the pacifist story as they understandingly nodded when I explained that none of the weapons are meant to kill. It was only much much later I understood that their coolness was a grand gesture towards my childhood.

[@georgeagathangelou5303]

This is a great video - research editing, everything! Good luck with the channel

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you, really appreciate this! I’m glad you enjoyed the video

[@fri8601]

Well that was the first video Iv seen if yours. And it was honestly amazing. I remember playing heroquest, and then space crusade on the amiga. The dreadnought was terrifying. I remember my friend telling me he used to have nightmares about it hahaha.

[@jamesv.7041]

I just obtained an awesome copy of SC a couple of months ago and have been eagerly awaiting something like this. Between this and your WHQ videos, you are quickly shooting to one of my favorite channels, thank you for all of the hard work you put into these videos.

[@jordansorcery]

That’s really nice of you to say, thanks for watching them! Hopefully, some of the topics I’m working on are just as interesting!

[@jamesv.7041]

@@jordansorcery sometimes you come for the content and stay for the personality; you are such a case, good sir!

[@jordansorcery]

You’re too kind!

[@leipherd8118]

The black and white art always struck me as being Kev Walker, who did art for 2000AD and GW around this time

[@jordansorcery]

It’s really nice isn’t it, definitely has a similar vibe. I actually talk a little about Kev Walker in my Mighty Empires video as he painted the territory tiles for that game - a very different style to his comic art though!

[@mattcunnington1972]

That was really great video, thanks. I bought this back in the day, with the Dreadnought expansion, but alas not the Eldar one. I had 40K but never got into that, but this got all my group intrigued, especially with the ongoing campaign. I stupidly gave my copies away, but I hope somebody does a re-release like the recent Heroquest one.

[@jordansorcery]

I made the same mistake and got rid of my copy, and I couldn’t agree more - a quality re-release would be amazing!

[@alfje5492]

The best thing about HeroQuest is StarQuest! Love both, but StarQuest/Space Crusade has always been my favourite!

[@jordansorcery]

It’s a brilliant game!

[@thunder2434]

I remember holding the Eldar attack box in my hands at the local tabletop game shop and finding out it was just an expansion I wanted to get Space Crusade, but it was sold out and no longer available. I ended up buying the Aliens boardgame instead, which I didn't regret. But the yearning for Space Crusade that I'd missed by just a year or so finally got to me so I bought Space Hulk and Tyranid Attack and though I played them I got the most out of it using the minis for 40K games. I did have Space Crusade on the Amiga though, so I did get to play it.

[@jordansorcery]

Oh brutal, so close yet so far! Glad you at least got the virtual experience though!

[@benbaxter1047]

Thanks for another video. I never owned this game in the 80s but my friends had a copy. I bought a copy with mission Dreadnaught 5 years ago and have played 3 campaigns with my 2 sons, both who play Euro board games and of course GW and MB/Hasbro Games.

[@roberts6489]

I had Heroquest, Space Crusade (my introduction to 40k), Tyranid Attack and Space Hulk as well as the expansions and a few others of the same type.

[@jordansorcery]

A classic range there, a great introduction to GW!

[@roberts6489]

@@jordansorcery They were absolutely a great introduction with rules easy to understand. I'm just getting back into TTRPG 20+ years after my last foray.

[@jordansorcery]

Welcome back to the fold! There’s even more amazing stuff out there these days, even the updates of classics like WFRP are awesome. What have you been getting back in to?

[@roberts6489]

@@jordansorcery been looking around to decide. Was gonna get really into DnD but now considering pathfinder, as really into fantasy but also sci-fi so possibly 40k again, but the only thing that's holding me back on 40k is cost etc.

[@garyknight3018]

I still have my copy on the shelf, what wondrous adventures were had in the 90s.

[@Knight3rrant]

I would think that all of those who adore this game and still have it (and I am fascinated by it) would be able to get 3d scans made of the pieces (which could be turned into 3D printable models), high quality photos of the chipboard elements, and PDFs of the rulebooks and missionbooks pulled together to preserve this important piece of gaming history.

[@jordansorcery]

Indeed one would! I’ve seen the books are online, but the rest I’ve not encountered

[@anjinsanroland]

"...hulks of spaces hulk and crusade..." an ingenious sentence which I had to listen to multiple times to understand. Well spoken sir :)

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you! Trying not to sacrifice too much clarity for levity, but words can be such fun!

[@SecondSince]

I played tons of HeroQuest with my brother and friends, but never even heard of this. I missed out!!

[@gazmatraz5248]

Wow this was an emotional journey through long forgotten past times! cheers for the video would love to see you do the history blood bowl.

[@jordansorcery]

My pleasure, glad it brought back some memories! Blood Bowl is a great shout, definitely on the list!

[@aquilaprimedesign]

Somehow, this game did have a limited US release. I remember tracking down clearance copies at Kaybee Toys and Toys R Us in the early '90s. Kaybee was mostly a closeout store by then, but Toys R Us was still a major retailer back then.

[@jordansorcery]

Oh wow, I wonder if it was a specialist import, or just made its way as a general release in the US later than in Europe. I couldn't find any specifics about the international release, but the consensus was that it didn't make it to the US. At the very least it seems to have been far more limited than the HeroQuest release a few years earlier

[@CaptainRufus]

My first 40k game. If the Amiga demo on a magazine imported into a US Commodore shop counts.

[@jordansorcery]

It counts for me! Some of those early video game adaptations did a terrific job of replicating the feel of the board game!

[@yssing]

I played it so much both the board game and on the amiga. It got me into W40K, and 30 years later, I am still very much into W40K. I also played Hero Quest a lot, both the board game and on the amiga. Since I was already heavily into sci-fi, W40K just got me.. Such a rich Lore and awesome game...

[@Alvion]

I'll wait for a "History of Necromunda" video with much anticipation :)

[@jordansorcery]

It’s a topic in the Patreon vote right now, but Mordheim currently has the edge! (though I’ll no doubt get round to it eventually in any case!)

[@maxkongress6312]

Such wonderful memories! I still own my (near mint) copy of "Star Quest" - as we called it here in Italy -. I've spent soooo many hours of play and fun with it. Good job and excellent quality video, grazie mille!

[@jordansorcery]

Well done to keep it at all let alone near mint, I’m a bit jealous! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@dist0rted320]

That TV ad reminds me of those 80's-inspired 40K ai art generations going around on KZbin. I would love to see something like this (especially a David Lynch version i.e. Dune)

[@jordansorcery]

David Lynch’s 40K would be something special!

[@dabodunne]

my friend had heroquest and I had space crusade. Needless to say many hours of gaming fun. Now I just wish I still had them. Never realise how hard it will be to get hold of your old games that you took for granted as a kid.

[@jordansorcery]

Both were just amazing, brilliant games to grow up with!

[@tHiNk413]

German here, our version was.....different, but I kinda have the exact same memories as you.... Thanx for the great vid!

[@jordansorcery]

It certainly sounds like a different take on 40k lore! Thanks for watching!

[@Paintedfigs]

Nice to watch a documentary-quality history of the game. Thank you!

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you for commenting, really glad you enjoyed it!

[@craighutchison5258]

Battle Masters! I loved that game! I used to secretly arrange the cannon cards so it would always hit

[@jordansorcery]

Classic bit of sneaky manipulation, I hope you were playing Chaos!

[@eldritchmorgasm4018]

German here: I remember the cencored version, but we never took those details serious, if a Space Marine with a Minigun entered a room with Space Orks, we faithfully uncencored it, there usualy was lots of blood involved, and gore, with, you know, arms & legs flying around, heads popping, guts spilling outside, the fun stuff! The Emperor protects, with a little help from lots of 20 - 40mm low explosive rounds... 😏 PS: The tv-commercials from all 3 MB/GW games were cool, but if I would've to choose, the best one would be HERO QUEST, than SPACE CRUSADE, and last but not least, BATTLE MASTERS. Back then commercials were done so cool. 😎

[@jordansorcery]

Ha, you can always trust kids to imagine the fun gory stuff! And totally agree, all 3 TV commercials were great fun; would love to see a modern equivalent for GW releases!

[@Upyours99xs]

You know I was looking at the new plastic Deredeo Dreadnought and I thought to myself, that looks like the chaos Dreadnought from space crusade reimagined if you look at its chest and think that the front head. And now if I ever get one from this game I’m gonna run it as that model and no one can stop me. Or as a Helbrute lol

[@stalker1983]

SOmething about the art and colours just sells the cramped, claustrophobic interior and desperate close quarters combat, and promise of more things beyond the next bulkhead. Fantastic vibes. This and the art in the 2nd ed 40K really sold it to me when i was a lot smaller

[@stephenrenwick8781]

Great video. I still have the space crusade Marines as well as a complete advanced space crusade, the tyranid plastic is looking a bit worse for wear now.

[@jordansorcery]

Some classic minis in that ASC box!

[@shvagyerpl]

Thank you for these videos. Always very interesting and well put together. Frankly I'm amazed your subscriber count isn't a few digits longer.

[@jordansorcery]

That's lovely of you to say, I'm glad you're enjoying them!

[@vinnycochrane5139]

Space Crusade was a huge part of my childhood. I’m a writer now - and I don’t think I’d know how to capture the senses of dread, loneliness, paranoia, and impending doom if I hadn’t had my imagination fired by this sinister, traumatic game. It is ideal for children with active imaginations, because it has the quality of teleporting the brain into the ruins of space, where horrible nightmares lurk round the corner. Brilliantly conceived, utterly terrifying.

[@jordansorcery]

Completely agree, they made something really special!

[@raycearcher5794]

Although coming by this game today is a tall order, it has been recreated in TableTop Simulator, so you can play it that way. Lots of original art and newer pieces are included, and the models for the minis and tokens look quite authentic.

[@jordansorcery]

I took a brief look at this during my research, it seems like they did a great job!

[@captaincosmo6157]

Correction on Necrons. Necrons were released in 1998 at the end of second edition as an all metal army. I believe the list was in white dwarf. 3rd edition came out at the end of 1998. All existing forces except sisters Necrons had army lists in the core rules. Necrons were then rereleased in 2002, as a completely refreshed range. I remember commentary that Necrons released in 2nd had 3rd edition rules in mind, but how true this is, I don't know, as 3rd core rules were a big departure from second.

[@jordansorcery]

You are quite right, of course. I almost mentioned the White Dwarf list, but decided against it - perhaps if I had then I’d have gotten the timeline right! I take solace in the fact that at least the White Dwarf content and 3rd edition came out in the same year, even if they were ~10 months apart!

[@captaincosmo6157]

For completeness, I believe there was a 2nd white dwarf list for people to use their necron armies in third.

[@Palooka37]

@@captaincosmo6157 it was not at all fun to play against, haha

[@evanlindsey1100]

The sarcasm when you mentioned the ZX Spectrum was positively biting and dripping with venom. Well played.

[@jordansorcery]

That’s just a natural product of having to play on one as a child!

[@chrisboyne5791]

The speccie version was fine, also loved Laser Quest.

[@pforson]

Great Video, thanks very much! Space Crusade was the first GW* game I played. A friend invited me round to play and as soon as I saw it, I was amazed. I was 10 and I‘d never seen miniatures before. I begged my parents to take me to the toy store in town to buy a copy and a week later they agreed. Once there, I discovered there was also a fantasy version called Heroquest and I chose that one. From there after I got into WFB and collected a huge Dwarf army. Honestly, the fact that Heroquest and Space Crusade were available from regular toy shops made them excellent gateway games. I‘d always assumed Space Crusade was more popular / well known than Heroquest, due to the popularity of Space Marines. I wonder why they never released it in the US. *technically MB

[@jordansorcery]

I think you’re on the money, getting it in toy shops with the reliable MB branding just opened the door so much, I bet there was a huge influx of lifetime wargamers as a result. I’d love the answer to the US release strategy, just seems such a strange decision from my perspective. Thank you for the comment!

[@sanctumsanctorum4130]

I remember playing Advanced Space Crusade at Games Day circa 1991. Loved it and ended up buying a copy. My recollection of it is that the game was way, way, WAY too long as you were supposed to search through the hive to destroy all the vital organs so it would die. Given it took us an afternoon to do one mission, I am not sure how long it would take to play it through properly. I am guessing there was a "save system" which we overlooked (or didn't think of). Suffice to say, none of my friends were interested in playing a campaign of it! We still joke about Space Marine Scouts being able to bounce grenades round corners.

[@chriscathrine9696]

Thoroughly enjoyed this! Space Crusade was my gateway to Space Hulk, then Warhammer 40K, then Necromunda, etc etc. I recently got a complete copy and have been playing it with my kids who say it's better than video games even. With the new version of HeroQuest out there I had wondered why there wasn't a new Space Crusade, so thank you for answering that question! Hopefully another company picks up the rights and puts out a family friendly successor one day.

[@johsenior1535]

I guess its a matter of taste, but for me advanced space crusade is a great game! I love how the initiative system worked where opponents had a chance to react to the actions of enemies by taking shots/moving or even diving out of the way of an incoming grenade, or having your gun jam and unable to shoot at the monsters coming at you! it made for very intense lifelike action, and as far as i know the most intense of any skirmish game system i know of.

[@jordansorcery]

Jervis Johnson always had a way with immersive rulesets if you ask me, I love playing his games. The graphic design was the let down for me, it just made me not want to look at the boards unfortunately. I am tempted to try playing it again on a different set of boards though!

[@joec9958]

Excellent video! I have fond memories of playing Space Crusade as a child. I'm being pedantic here but I believe the necrons had a limited release in 2nd ed 40k through white drawf. The model you show is a freebie that came with the magazine (and I still have somewhere)

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you! You’re totally right about the Necron, my timeline was a little out - the White Dwarf army list came out in Feb ‘98 and 3rd edition released in October ‘98 with the dangerous xenos page. Somehow those sneaky Necrons got behind me!

[@Debbiebabe69]

2nd ed 40k is still the best ruleset imo. And yes, there was a necron on white dwarf. I still have it, as well as all the space crusade/mission dreadnought/eldar attack minatures.

[@gy7694]

as an only child this was my number one imagination game when I was too young to be able to play it. It's the number one reason for my masochistic relationship with GW over the years.

[@mattpaterson6217]

Brilliant and detailed review

[@Gumlass1]

My parents bought me Space Crusade in the early 90s. Months later, I recognised a white dwarf in the local news agent and the rest is history!

[@jordansorcery]

A glorious tale as old as time, Space Crusade has left a lot of lifelong gamers in it’s wake!

[@Mr_Waffle.]

Great video! When I was a kid I got the Dreadnought expansion for Christmas... not the base game, just the expansion lol. It didn't matter, the power of my imagination was enough to enjoy playing with all those minis. I got into w40k a bit in high school (2nd edition) and have loosely followed it since, so Space Crusade made at least one fan of the hobby!

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you. The classic curse of a well meaning but unobservant family member! At least it was the one that included the amazing dreadnought though, I’m not surprised that could entertain on its own, totally awesome mini that!

[@colig54]

Twas this and Heroquest that sparked my interest in miniatures, it was all so confusing as an 11 year old but so captivating, that bastard dreadnought!!

[@TrentRosenbaum]

That was such a cool walk down memory lane. I know what you mean about space crusade being something inside 😂 I had the Eldar attack expansion and this last year I've finally plucked up the courage to paint that Eldar war host. Top video 👍 and Merry Christmas.

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you, glad you liked it! Oh wow, I'm jealous of that Eldar Attack you've got, but that's great about getting them to the painting table - that's how they fulfil their gaming destiny! Merry Christmas!

[@TheOmiguelion]

SC was my first contact with the 40K universe. I was 13 at the time and had loved playing Heroquest at my friends house, so when I saw the cool TV it really drew my attention. But the best part is, for some reason the local supermarket priced it wrong, at 1000 or 2000 pesetas (can´t remember) when it was actually over 5000, so my mom agreed to buy it. I remember the walk to the supermarket and back it was over two hours but I couldn´t wait in case they run out or undid the error... I remember being amazed with the components and specially the manuals... I thought "Wow, they really fleshed out the story background for this board game"! My brother and I played a lot and got the expansions in Christmas. Good memories. I loved the blip mechanics, the careful planning of the movement and use of orders and equipment, and was actually disapponited with the rules for 40K once I got to know it. I developed a sort expanded rules to include the rest of the factions and miniature range to play Player VS Player... Nice video, thanks!

[@jordansorcery]

Yes! Love a good discount price almost as much as Space Crusade itself! It really was another time, wasn’t it? So much fun setting up and knocking over all those wonderful components!

[@ChapterMasterDad]

Subscribed, thanks for being around!

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks for subscribing and commenting! Glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@JJtoutcourt]

Space Crusade is not only the game that made my brother (and later, me) fall into W0k, it was, and still is in my opinion, the best board game ever made. And you said everything that had to be said, lovely video xD Want if you want a memory on this game, I remember playing it with a friend and his sisters, I was the alien player, and I had put my dreadnought just in the front of the imperial fist starting point, destroying her squad in a single turn xD I also remember, in the first mission of Dreadnought Mission, I was again play the alien, but this time with much older friends (like 10 years after the other game I was talking about). They had only 2 marines left: a captain and another guy with the tarentula, they were struggling with the armored door (in this misssion, you have to escape through a corridor with armored doors you have to destroy.) but my reinforcement were in the next room. the guy abandoned the tarentula in front of the doors so that my reinforcements could not go through and they won this way :D

[@DanFallon1981]

I had a couple of copies of this as a kid and somehow ended up with like 5 dreadnoughts. It was for me a very cheap way to build up my space marine army which must've had their own form of HH as they ended up with the dreadnoughts as chaos marines! Later through some weird mysterious magic some Eldar also turned to the dark side. All my 40k buddies at the time laughed at me, but a few years later out came codex: dark eldar. Unfortunately my collection of warhammer, 40k, epic, and space crusade minatures vanished over the years and I can only dream of getting them back. I am however pretty stoked with the re-release of heroquest and all the expansions to that and am looking forward to getting deep back into it, and sharing this old gaming love of mine with my kids.

[@lorenzovive5801]

I agree and understand your closing comments Jordan, as this is the game that started me down the exact same path. Thank you for your research and hard work.

[@henrikwannheden7114]

Excellent rundown!

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks!

[@richtheunstable3359]

Necrons appeared again before the 3rd ed rulebook. It was still 2nd ed when the first sculpts were released with rules in WD. However they had a cheeky cameo in the digganob expansion for gorkamorka. A necron skull apearing in a pile of scrap. Plus the not quite yet revealed to be giant necron pyramids the diggas hang around in.

[@nithzen1]

Great content, your research it's amazing, please keep going doing this wonderful job and I expect to see more about 40k genesis in the early years and development to become what its today

[@pwrlol]

Fantastic video, this game certainly kick started my love of 40K…… particularly that genestealer ambush card, still painting and playing with genestealers and other Tyranids to this day. One slight correction is that Necrons got their first mention before the third edition rulebook in a couple of issues of White Dwarf. You even got a free metal Necron warrior on the front of one of the issues. There were ludicrously overpowered rules for a Necron raiding force, in which the basic Necron warrior was equivalent in power to a Space Marine terminator, these were very fun and very narrative rules! So Necrons got their first rules at the tail end of second edition, but they didn’t get a full range and the proper Codex treatment until third edition.

[@jordansorcery]

You are quite right!

[@thehappyogryn]

I played it a few times at the club we had back then but always went back to my favorite the old heroquest, but it was still fun to play and watch, imo the kill team game is the new space crusade. Has always you've taken us back down memory lane... damn, i'm old...

[@jordansorcery]

I was pleased to see Kill Team’s latest setting move it to a Space Hulk, they’re such an interesting idea that I enjoy seeing GW explore them in different ways. Space Crusade is still one of the best though, in my opinion

[@GGRS]

Another great video mate, enjoying these. Happy holidays!

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks so much! Happy Christmas and merry Mondstille!

[@LordOcti]

Thanks for the video! Being in the US I never got to play Space Crusade, but I played a ton of Heroquest and then 40k in the early 90's. Very fun memories.

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks for watching and commenting! It’s such a shame about SC not making it to the states, but at least you had HQ, that was one fantastic game!