Mordheim: City of the Damned

69%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,245 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Mordheim: City of the Damned Game Cover
A brilliant strategy game that asks you to think carefully about every decision, pushing your tactical buttons in every conceivable way.
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Mordheim: City of the Damned is a turn-based tactical RPG set in the Warhammer World's ruined Empire city. Command a warband in fierce battles for control of key neighborhoods and valuable Wyrdstone fragments. Customize your warband with unique units, gear, and abilities as you fight for glory and survival in this grim, chaotic world.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Gog Com
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

69%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,245 reviews
story173 positive mentions
grinding152 negative mentions
  • Faithful adaptation of the tabletop game with a rich atmosphere and engaging gameplay.
  • Deep tactical mechanics that reward careful planning and strategy.
  • Challenging and rewarding experience, especially for fans of turn-based strategy games.
  • Unforgiving RNG that can lead to frustrating misses and unexpected character deaths.
  • Clunky UI and controls that can make navigation and combat cumbersome.
  • Lack of variety in maps and missions, leading to repetitive gameplay.
  • story2,179 mentions

    The story aspect of "Mordheim: City of the Damned" is often criticized for its lack of depth and coherence, with many players noting that the narrative feels minimal and is primarily conveyed through the mechanics of warband management and mission objectives. While each faction has its own campaign missions that introduce some unique elements, the majority of gameplay revolves around repetitive, randomly generated missions that lack significant storytelling. Players frequently express frustration with the design of story missions, which can be overly complex, tedious, and punishing, often leading to a sense of unfairness due to the game's reliance on RNG and the AI's advantages. Overall, while the game offers a rich atmosphere and potential for character development, the storytelling elements are seen as a weak point that detracts from the overall experience.

    • “Each character develops uniquely, and the decisions you make in battles and campaign missions can have lasting consequences, creating an immersive experience that demands careful thought.”
    • “Overall, Mordheim: City of the Damned is a fantastic blend of tactical depth and atmospheric storytelling.”
    • “The campaign missions are brutal and very fun to play in my opinion, something anyone who enjoys a challenge will love.”
    • “The story missions are few and far between and terribly designed, complete with unclear objectives and unlimited and instant respawns of opponents.”
    • “The story missions can get really frustrating with vague mission details and worst of all, infinite enemy reinforcements.”
    • “The scripted story missions should have been carefully crafted highpoints for each lengthy campaign -- something to look forward to rather than something to slog through.”
  • gameplay1,181 mentions

    The gameplay of "Mordheim: City of the Damned" is characterized by its deep tactical mechanics and a steep learning curve, often requiring players to invest significant time to grasp its complex systems. While many players appreciate the strategic depth and customization options available for their warbands, frustrations arise from the game's reliance on RNG, slow pacing, and occasionally clunky controls, which can lead to a punishing experience, especially for newcomers. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of turn-based strategy and RPG elements, appealing primarily to fans of the Warhammer universe and those who enjoy challenging gameplay.

    • “The gameplay shines with its deep tactical mechanics, allowing for detailed unit customization and strategic planning.”
    • “Every decision you make will have a tangible impact on your warband's success, adding a layer of complexity that keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging.”
    • “Once you get the hang of the game mechanics and controls, you start to get used to the extremely punishing world of Mordheim.”
    • “Looks cool, seems cool, but it's also the kind of game that will make even seasoned XCOM Ironman mode veterans throw their mouse against the wall in rage due to the brutal RNG mechanics.”
    • “The enemy takes 3 whole minutes to finish their turn, the map function of the game is not obvious to use, yet a crucial game mechanic.”
    • “The gameplay is very slow.”
  • graphics497 mentions

    The graphics of "Mordheim: City of the Damned" receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the atmospheric and thematic representation of the Warhammer universe, while others criticize the visuals as dated or subpar compared to modern standards. Some highlight the game's ability to evoke a gritty, immersive environment, though issues like poor optimization, graphical glitches, and limited customization options detract from the overall experience. Overall, while the graphics may not be groundbreaking, they effectively capture the essence of the game's dark aesthetic.

    • “The visuals are striking, with beautifully rendered environments that evoke the dark and gritty tone of the Warhammer universe.”
    • “The graphics are surprisingly good for a game of that time and size.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the weapons are perfect, and the whole concept to implementation makes this my #2 Games Workshop PC game.”
    • “First of all, the graphics are an abomination.”
    • “The overall quality of this game is trash to be quite honest, this game has terrible UI, graphics are subpar for 2015, and animations are funky at best.”
    • “The graphics are poor, music lazy, UI disgustingly terrible, the tutorial does not exist except for a series of click missions that in themselves are poorly thought out and leave a lot to the imagination leading to many to skip them outright and get to playing.”
  • atmosphere246 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Mordheim: City of the Damned" is widely praised for its immersive and grimdark portrayal of the war-torn city, effectively capturing the essence of the Warhammer universe. Players appreciate the haunting sound design, detailed environments, and the palpable sense of danger that permeates each mission, although some note that the repetitive nature of gameplay can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest aspects, providing a compelling backdrop for the tactical gameplay.

    • “Set in the ruins of Mordheim, players lead a warband through treacherous battles, exploring a hauntingly atmospheric city filled with danger and opportunity.”
    • “The atmospheric sound design further enhances the immersion, making every skirmish feel intense and engaging.”
    • “From crumbling architecture to the twisted streets, the atmosphere drips with foreboding, immersing players in a world where danger lurks around every corner.”
    • “The atmosphere is certainly there being in the dark grey alleys of Mordheim and to see the destroyed buildings and chaos-influenced areas all around.”
    • “The atmosphere, whilst very immersive, is ruined by the combat mechanics in that the overly-punishing RNG elements detach the player from the game, disallowing immersion as the player is dragged out of the Warhammer universe and into their room, study, or basement of choice.”
    • “In certain aspects, this game is suffocated by its many design choices to value atmosphere over quality of life.”
  • grinding154 mentions

    The reviews highlight that grinding in this game is often perceived as tedious and frustrating, with many players expressing dissatisfaction with the slow pace, repetitive missions, and lengthy wait times for enemy turns. While some players appreciate the depth of character progression and tactical elements, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grind detracts from overall enjoyment, making the experience feel unnecessarily drawn out and unfulfilling.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It's like the developers decided that 'fun' was a dirty word and set out to make a game that was as tedious and frustrating as humanly possible.”
    • “Grinding in this game is so tedious, you will be doing it for hours to level your characters up and it ended up being a huge boring waste of time.”
    • “The game is incredibly tedious to play with many illogical left-overs of the board game left over and just unenjoyable mechanics.”
  • stability105 mentions

    The stability of the game is widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent freezes, crashes, and various bugs that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players express frustration over the game's unpolished mechanics and glitches, which can lead to game-breaking situations and a lack of support from developers. While some enjoy the core gameplay, the overwhelming consensus is that the game's stability issues make it difficult to recommend to new players.

    • “It is a fun game to play and is not too buggy anymore.”
    • “Bug-free and very stable (Windows 10 x64)”
    • “But what really makes Mordheim a flaming pile of dog turds is the sheer amount of bugs and glitches.”
    • “Personally, I think it’s morally wrong to recommend to new players a game that is no longer supported, riddled with bugs and glitches that will never be patched, and suffers from a well-known ‘lag’ gremlin that will freeze and in some cases even crash the game throughout your playtime.”
    • “The game often freezes up during the computer's turn, and the developers don't seem to respond to bug reports.”
  • music93 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its atmospheric and immersive qualities that enhance the dark setting, while others criticize it for being repetitive and dull over time. Many agree that the soundtrack effectively captures the game's grim tone, but a lack of variety and occasional overpowering of dialogue detracts from the overall experience. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the atmosphere, it may become tiresome for extended play sessions.

    • “With a soundtrack that manages to be both oppressive and epic and some occasionally brilliant voice acting for chapter intros, this is a well-crafted product.”
    • “The music is suitably dark considering the setting and lends an appropriate 'doomed' quality to the atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is just awesome with a soundtrack that plays along perfectly well with that atmosphere.”
    • “This game looks awesome, I love Mordheim, then you play this game. Not only is it unbelievably dull with its grating atmospheric music and milky brown textures, it's also catastrophically unfair to play with a horrendously long play time to get anywhere near having a competent team to play with.”
    • “Overall a sleep-inducing gameplay, with a boring soundtrack and low-quality sound effects that unfortunately didn't help in keeping me engaged.”
    • “You'll tire of the music and the maps long before you complete a campaign.”
  • replayability91 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability, with players enjoying the ability to experiment with various warbands, each offering unique playstyles and strategies. Many reviews highlight the procedural generation of maps and scenarios, which keeps gameplay fresh and engaging, allowing for countless hours of fun. While some users note potential limitations in faction variety, the overall consensus is that the game provides substantial replay value, especially with its customization options and multiplayer features.

    • “Endless replayability via making lore-based parties.”
    • “With 4 (6 with DLC) different warbands, each packed with their own unit classes that approach the game differently, the replayability is pretty good.”
    • “The various factions are unique in their playstyles and motivations, ensuring countless hours of replayability.”
    • “There are not a lot of factions, so I imagine at some point replayability will be limited, but if you are looking for a few good hours of fun, this is great.”
    • “I understand that the mechanics changes are for the sake of having the game last longer and possibly having more replayability, but it's been stretched out too far.”
    • “It doesn't have the replay value that you'd expect a title like this would.”
  • optimization56 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting poor performance, long loading times, and issues with AI responsiveness. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay on high-end systems, the general consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences, especially for those using mouse and keyboard controls. Improvements in optimization are highly anticipated by the community to enhance overall performance and user experience.

    • “Good optimization.”
    • “The performance is quite good and the graphics won't blow you away, but they are pretty decent and set the tone nicely.”
    • “Surprisingly optimized for an early access game.”
    • “The biggest downside is the optimization: AI turns take a long time, especially with full warbands.”
    • “I have been playing Mordheim for a long while and I can say I love the game even if the entire thing seems to be so unoptimized and bogged down that it actually makes you not want to play it.”
    • “My computer is so far over the recommended settings I don't even know where to start, but this steaming pile is so badly optimized that I was getting 5 frames per second.”
  • humor54 mentions

    The humor in the game is often derived from its dark and absurd situations, such as characters suffering ridiculous injuries or the AI making comically poor decisions. Players find themselves laughing at the misfortunes of their warbands, especially when their characters lose limbs or face unexpected challenges, creating a blend of frustration and amusement. Overall, the game successfully incorporates a quirky sense of humor that enhances the gameplay experience, making even the most challenging moments entertaining.

    • “Hilarious when some of my warband pick up so many injuries that I start to feel sorry for them.”
    • “After the fifteenth time you get ambushed by somebody trying to charge them, you start laughing at the misfortune as opposed to being upset.”
    • “There are moments in this game that are brilliantly funny, like seeing the enemy caster blow him or herself up… it's not so funny when it happens to you.”
  • emotional30 mentions

    Mordheim elicits strong emotional responses from players, fostering deep attachments to characters, particularly through its unforgiving mechanics that lead to loss and injury. The game’s design encourages players to invest emotionally in their warbands, resulting in a rollercoaster of feelings ranging from joy to heartbreak as characters develop and face peril. Despite some technical flaws, the emotional depth and sense of accomplishment make it a compelling experience for those willing to embrace its challenges.

    • “I never thought I would become so emotionally attached to a gang of hideous anthropomorphic rats.”
    • “The game is so emotional because there is a sense of accomplishment and loss that isn't present in other games simply because other games give you the option of iron man mode which most never take, and this one just forces it upon you because that is life in Warhammer.”
    • “Eventually you form a bond with them, swear when they mess up, smile when they dominate, and shed a tear when they die.”
  • character development28 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its depth and customization options, allowing players to tailor characters to their play style and preferences. The combination of RPG elements, permadeath, and a well-designed progression system creates a compelling experience, though some players find the complexity overwhelming. Overall, the character design and development mechanics are highlighted as standout features that enhance the tactical gameplay.

    • “Character development for all characters allows you to customize to your play style or alter for a new playthrough.”
    • “Character development/progression is one of the best systems I've seen, and the turn-based combat is extremely well done.”
    • “The sheer amount of customization and character development can be a bit overwhelming, but what you get is a very solid turn-based strategy with RPG character development.”
    • “Further, the concept of frequently unavoidable permanent injuries in a game which revolves around squad/character development is just a bad idea.”
    • “Now the carrot on the stick is there, character development and gear upgrades... it's pretty heart-wrenching when you lose one of your best warriors, developed over time with specific skills.”
    • “The sheer amount of customization and character development can be a bit overwhelming to those that come to the game blind, and normally I would not recommend this, but watching a YouTuber play this game before attempting a playthrough will be of use to mitigate some of the complexity.”
  • monetization12 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been heavily criticized, with many users labeling it a cash grab that fails to deliver value for its price. Players express frustration over overpriced DLCs and a perceived lack of genuine engagement from developers, fearing that the game may prioritize profit over quality and player feedback. Overall, the sentiment suggests that the game's monetization strategy detracts from the overall experience and authenticity.

    • “This is not just another game designed to profit from viral marketing and microtransactions.”
    • “The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel exploitative, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers plenty of content without requiring additional purchases, making it accessible for everyone.”
    • “Do not buy this game at its current price; to me, it is a cash grab hands down. The devs will not listen to you at all for your feedback regardless of your support!”
    • “For the price of the game, just forget it. The game is not worth buying; for me, it felt like a cash grab regardless.”
    • “It's a cash grab, something that Games Workshop is most certainly familiar with, and I feel like this is the most authentic Games Workshop tabletop to video game translation because you got the most familiar and ever so persistent thing about GW games.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

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Play time

45hMedian play time
125hAverage play time
15-170hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 69 analyzed playthroughs

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