Gale Force Nine has just released two additional sets for their new Forbidden City terrain line. These two sets add to the existing four sets of terrain in the collection (A tomb and ruins). I picked up the two new sets to add to my collection, as they will go very well with my desert terrain for Pulp gaming!
The sets come in the usual GF9 box with plenty of pictures on each side. The models are wrapped in bubblewrap inside the boxes (no more styrofoam (yeah!). As such, they are easier to store and put away, if you want to keep using the boxes. Both sets come in multiple pieces, with a base and separate standing pillars. The pillars come with small white plastic dowels to hold them in place. The pieces are all made with the standard black GF9 semi hard resin/-plastic, so should be quite durable, if a little heavy. The base of the largest piece is made of plastic filled with foam. This makes it slightly fragile to shock at the edges (as I found when I dropped mine). However, everything is good sized and will look impressive on the table.
As with all GF9 terrain, they come pre-painted. They look to be spayed with a dark tab and hit with a lighter tan dry brush. The actual models are darker that the ones photographed on the boxes (seems to be a trend for all GF9 desert terrain), but reasonable out of the box.
I pimped mine up a bit (like the original set), by dry brushing them with a few shades of lighter tan. I think it makes the models took better blended and means they do not have the somewhat unfinished look of earlier offerings. A little dull coat sealer at the end to flatten them up and provide another layer of protection.
The plastic rods are an interesting idea. They themselves are not wide enough to securely hold the pillars in place. You will either need to glue the pillars (using the rods as anchors to hold the assembly securely together) or add some magnets to make storage easier. I will probably do the latter, once I have all my Egyptian terrain done to see how my storage works out.
The price point is $35 (larger pieces) for each set. Considering the size and the paint job, this is an excelled price and well worth a the investment. A definite must by!
- Mantueffel