This coming Thursday comes the official release of Cyanide Studio's sequel to Blood Bowl also known as Blood Bowl: Legendary Edition.  If you purchased the first Blood Bowl video game (based off of the table-top game from Games Workshop) then you are already familiar with most of the mechanics of the game.  There are some notable changes from the first game that should not be looked over, most noticeably: price.

The sequel, though larger, is about $10 cheaper than the original Blood Bowl at the time of release, despite increased content.  Mind you this is not an expansion, it's a standalone sequel, so if you don't have the first Blood Bowl you don't need to run and pick it up.  There are more than twice as many teams in BB:LE as there were in the first, the feature addition being the four variations of Undead teams (There is a Vampire team made up entirely of... you guessed it... Vampires, and a Necromantic team that has Werewolves, so you can feel free to create Team Edward and Team Jacob and pit them against each other in a fight to the death!).

In addition there are new purchasable incentives and more star players available.  It's nice to be able to buy your way to reduced concussions, wizard’s blasts, and free fouls.  They've even brought weather into the game.

There is also a Story-Book Mode in single player that doubles as a training mode and background introduction.  You play through game after game in Blood Bowl's growth and get to know the teams and mechanics.  It's a great option for people who download the game and don't have a rulebook handy.

Most notably Cyanide Studios has made a few subtle changes to the UI and worked to improve the AI, a change that makes the entire experience more satisfying and fun when you want to get a game in, but don't have any one around to play against and your friends don't have time for an online league game.

The game still offers BLITZ mode, turning blood bowl into a madden-esque real time game, but if you're getting the game you're really getting it for classic mode.

If you've never played Blood Bowl before don't be afraid to give it a try, but if you've got no one to explain it to you then you should probably start off in Story Mode.  If you have the first Blood Bowl or played the table top game then Blood Bowl Legendary Edition is a must own.