One word: Atmosphere.
They've got the atmosphere SPOT ON. The multi-million pound set does look extremely icy (probably because it's set on an ice rink) and grand. I'm not particularly a fan of Classical music but they've got it right here. Atmosphere adds a lot to the show and this has it in spades. A good start.
Next, the Warriors themselves. There's a fair amount of them, given stupid names and made up stats, some of which are totally useless and not everybody has (Magic, anyone?). This makes Ice Warriors Top Trumps an unrealistic prospect. They need to act a bit better. Rax the destroyer - terrifying? Yeah, right. Violent on the field, no so violent in the verbal stakes.
Next there's the Icemaster, the ruler of Ice plain. He's actually very convincing but the ability to mock what he says is unbelieveable to be honest. "I am the Pantsmaster! I award the city of Nottingham 50 credits!" Dani Behr's nice, however.
But what about the games?
ZERO DEGREES: Contestants have to weave in and out of black markers and needles in credit zones whilst the Ice Warriors try to whack them round the head with the giant Zero Degrees Propeller. First time: Clever, exciting, good. Second time:Zzzz.
PORCUPINE: A team of contestants have a minute each to throw a 'Saturn' into the back of a moving icecar (called the Porcupine. No, it makes perfect sense!) whilst the Warriors try to stop them. First time: Alright. Next time:Zzzzzz.
STRECH: Tug of war on ice. Zzzz. GLACIAL ASSAULT: Hang on, we have a good one! It's an assault course on ice and it's not bad, if a little flat.
SCYTHE: It's a race but Ice Warriors block the path by moving bits of wood. First time: Alright, second time:Zzzzz.
CHAIN GANG: Very clever, it's a race but (get this) the three racers, right, are all connected to each other! No, stop it, it's too good! No it's not.
POLAR PURSUIT: Confusing bonus game for the winners that doesn't make it clear just what's going on.
So there you have it then. The first episode was enjoyable but despite the fact there are a few more games I haven't mentioned, by episode three I just couldn't be bothered to watch it to the end. The fact is that the games whilst quite clever the first time you watch them quickly get boring (Zero Degrees, I'm talking to you) and in other games it's difficult to tell the Warriors and Contestants apart on the ice. Doctor Fox's commentry isn't bad but John Sachs is better when doing Gladiators. It might also be better if there was non-diagetic music on the games and there was a timer to show how long was left but there you go.
VERDICT: 5.5/10 - I deperately wanted to like it but after a while I got bored.
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