GorkaMorka Preview

Don't tell me you don't know what GorkaMorka is? Shame on you! It is one of many board & tabletop gaming systems developed by a company called Games Workshop (www.games-workshop.com). This company specializes in manufacture of miniatures, or more commonly known as minis. Let's just say that Games Workshop enjoys the same status in their respected field of expertise as does Microsoft in the software development industry. The two of their major systems are: Warhammer Fantasy Battles and Warhammer 40K. First one is a strategic game in the fantasy world, while the other is placed in the far and dark future. Both systems have lived to see their numerous computer recreations in cooperation with renown companies such as Mindscape, SSI, and Electronic Arts. Fantasy Warhammer spawned two strategies by the name of The Shadow of the Horned Rat and Dark Omen. They are both done in real-time. Warhammer 40K, inspired games Space Hulk (one of the first FPS ever to be released), Epic 40K Final Liberation (a strategy with miniature armies for simulated mass conflicts), Chaos Gate (turn-based strategy about those Space Marines, by the genius over at SSI), and Rites of War (turn-based strategy with Panzer General II engine, about space elfs known as Eldars).

No, I wanna shoot. Give me that gun!

Vroooommm!

Numerous add-ons, expansion sets and thousand figures are available. One of those add-ons is GorkaMorka for both of the table systems. It's more of an autonomous system in the Warhammer 40K universe. GorkaMorka tabletop system was created some years ago, but didn't achieve particular success. It's unclear why, since it's a fun game with a nice concept that was designed by genius Games Workshop guru, Andy Chambers. There were a lot of expectations for this game at the time when Ripcord Games started developing GorkaMorka for PC and Dreamcast console.

Before we go into explaining this game, a minor Warhammer 40K intro is necessary for the "un-enlightened". In the Warhammer 40K universe numerous races fight each others for the domination and reign over billions of planets. The mainstream are the many Orders of the Space Marines and the Imperial Guards that practically rule the universe under leadership of an esoteric creature they all refer to as the Emperor. Also, there are the Eldars and Dark Eldars, the space elves. Both races possess highest technological level and have advanced space ships. Except these two races, there is an alien race called Tyranids that base all their technology on biological weapons (picture those disgusting and slimy Xenobites from the Alien movies and H.R. Giger's imagination). Then we have an almost extinct race of dwarfs, Sqats and Chaos that consist of diverse demons and mythological creatures. And of course, the stars of our game, the Orks, resembling the fantasy Orcs by J.R.R. Tolkien, except our guys are in space. The Orks are a brutal and funny barbaric race that fight in hordes and usually defeat all their opponents in that way. Although they are strong as a race, they constantly argue, fight and have internal wars. Their lead motive is "Green'z good, rezt bad", since the colour of their skin is green-and the idea is to eradicate all other skin colours. When they're off to fight the rest of the universe, spurred by the leadership and sugar-coated promises of their Warchief or Warboss, the Orcs call it "Waaaagh!" (which is also a typical exclamation of delight, not in our office- of the Orcs...). When in such a mood, the Orks are probably on a war path and you better make way. On one of the travels to the bowels of space, an enormous transporter (Space Hulk) of an Ork mob crashed on a planet. The Orks were trapped on the planet and since the crash and collision with the planet caused spillage from their ship, it killed all the flora of the once pleasant habitat and turned it into a desert world. Except survival, the other task of the Orks in this predicament is to assemble a new ship (that is made out of different parts of, otherwise useless hardware) and continue with the Waaagh! If you're growing tired of reading this article-don't worry, there's a point to this story.

Orks have two divinities that they terribly fear, and many literally depend on. One is called Mork, and the other Gork. Since they have two gods, they are also divided into two clans. The game set on the hostile planet is named after these two gods, since the new ship reminds one clan of Mork, and the other of Gork. They are whacked, aren't they? They need the parts for their giant new ship, so Orks race the planet in their speedy vehicles for old parts and bring them to their chiefs. They get rewards for this scrap, so the otherwise present competition is now even tougher.

GorkaMorka is a game of great speed and vehicle battle, a ludicrous competition of the wild Ork mobs on the scorched ground. As a brutal leader of the mob, you have to defeat the opponent by using skill, low blows, cunning and luck. You have crude but effective weapons at your disposal, and more important, dangerous and fast vehicles for long rides over hot sand. You will soon learn to use your Ork warriors and equip them to perform their maximum, as well as the buggies, in order to defeat other Ork mobs. Every time you accomplish a mission or level, your mob will be richer in "teef" (teeth, Ork money). With teef, the player can buy better and more lethal weapons, upgrade the vehicles and buy better warriors.

In the single player mode, the main objective is to win as many races as possible, and get as much money as possible. There are two Orks per vehicle. One is the driver, and the other is in charge of the cannons, machineguns, flame throwers and the rest of the goodies. During the game, the player can choose one of these two positions, while AI controls the other Ork. Every time the Orks fight, their capabilities grow (usually their size, too), since the survivors learn new tricks and polish old skills. Young Orks soon become experienced warriors, and the veterans become stronger and more powerful with each mission success. Of course, to become more powerful they need constant upgrading, hence more financial investment. As the mob boss becomes richer and his Orks more dangerous, he grows in the eyes of the other participants of the GorkaMorka tournament. Known warriors seek him, experienced mechanics (Mekboyz) offer their services, while the rivals plot against him. Fear and respect surround Orks as a double standard of their success.