Warhammer Visions: New Format Review

by | May 1, 2015


So I got my grubby wee hands on the newly formatted Warhammer Visions (which in essence is EXACTLY what it is) and thought I would put up my a post on it. Ill preface this by saying that I’m a subscriber and have every issue of Visions so hopefully Ill present a relatively balanced point of view. I’m a long time white dwarf reader and I don’t think any one will argue that a lot has changed (mainly for the worse) with white dwarf in the past 10 years. Comparing back is a pretty futile effort so I will focus on the changes from Visions Mk1 to Mk2.

The Good
It is bigger. Roughly twice as large in sheet size from Mk1 which is great for longingly staring at the brilliant golden daemon entries, the old small pages were annoying at best. There are no more double page spreads with terribly lost detail in the centre folds/spine.

The layout is slightly more pleasing to the eye and it flows a little better but it is by and large visions mk1 at 190%.

Paint Splatter is much better in large format, easier to see the details and this will help beginner to medium hobbyists.

Its great for reference on paint schemes and awesome models/conversions (Golden Daemon stuff in particular).

The Bad
The complete and utter lack of actual text content. I’m sorry but having a bubble caption of “This is an “X” with really cool “Y” painted by “Z”” is borderline lazy and not engaging. Really wish they would basically make Visions a monthly version of the weekly where they keep some of the current entries and put all the best articles (rules, bat reps etc) from the weekly into Visions. Keep the new releases from the month (they do need to sell shit after all), golden daemon, readers models, paint splatter and ‘eavy metal.

BlanchSHITsu, sorry I just don’t get it. It’s an aesthetic thing but really not my cup of tea.

The Ugly
Three languages in one publication is utterly unacceptable and just reeks of cost cutting and “great” corporate ideas. Looks terrible and does nothing for the reader. This needs sorted, it is downright terrible. Seriously, sort it out, like now. NOW.

Overall
It is an improvement but it has not fixed the fundamental issues and improved the content. As I said above I am a subscriber and I do like to flick through Visions but if I was an outsider looking in at ourindustry’s publication I wouldn't buy it. Look at the really decent magazines that command the sort of price point that Visions does and you will see the examples of actually decent magazines(I buy the below regularly):

Edge
Monocole
Wired

These three are excellent magazines and give me hours and hours of reading. I’m generally finished with Visions in 30 minutes and glance back at it occasionally (once a year maybe). All this said it is an improvement (no price increase by the way!) and as long as they continue to improve I will be happy.

Verdict
4/10

“Errr....we changed the light bulb but the house is still on fire, sorry bro”.