Necromunda: Underhive Wars

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Necromunda: Underhive Wars is a single player and multiplayer tactical role playing game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Rogue Factor and was released on September 7, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and neutral reviews from players.

Necromunda: Underhive Wars is a turn-based strategy game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Lead your gang of fighters in brutal gang warfare in the dangerous underhives of Necromunda. Utilize unique class abilities, gang customization, and environmental destruction to gain an edge in tactical combat.

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55%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,186 reviews

story179 positive mentions

stability265 negative mentions

The game captures the atmosphere and aesthetics of the Necromunda universe well, with great graphics and detailed environments.
Gang customization is extensive, allowing players to create unique characters and strategies.
The turn-based combat system offers tactical depth, with various skills and abilities to utilize.

The AI is poorly designed, often making illogical decisions and failing to provide a challenging experience.
The game suffers from bugs and crashes, impacting gameplay and player experience.
The campaign mode feels like a long tutorial and lacks meaningful engagement, with limited character progression.

story
1,323 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
79%
7%
The story in "Necromunda: Underhive Wars" is often described as a lengthy tutorial rather than a compelling narrative, with many players finding it tedious and poorly executed. While the campaign features decent cutscenes and voice acting, it suffers from repetitive mission design, clunky AI behavior, and a lack of meaningful character progression, as players are forced to switch between pre-made gangs without customization options. Overall, the story mode serves primarily to introduce gameplay mechanics, but many players recommend skipping it in favor of the more engaging custom gang operations.
- “The campaign structure is ambitious: story missions, gang progression, side operations, and a persistent mode where you build up your gang over multiple fights is present and gives long-term hooks.”
- “The story mode serves as a lengthy tutorial that takes you through the three houses featuring beautifully rendered cutscenes and voiced characters.”
- “The story is interesting, the cutscenes are nice, but I still prefer the 'real' game mode with warband management and actual progress and consequences.”
- “The story in Necromunda: Underhive Wars is extremely shallow, serving merely as a link between the single-player missions.”
- “The story mode is a long drawn out and nearly useless tutorial since many aspects of the game are not even explained, and you never really get used to any build because they are changed from chapter to chapter.”
- “The story mode is really bad and the AI is overall bad as well.”
gameplay
604 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
63%
13%
The gameplay of "Necromunda: Underhive Wars" has received mixed reviews, with many players highlighting its clunky mechanics, unintuitive UI, and frustrating AI as significant drawbacks. While some appreciate the depth of customization and strategic elements, others find the gameplay slow and repetitive, often marred by bugs and a steep learning curve. Overall, the game offers potential for enjoyment, particularly for fans of the Warhammer 40k universe, but it suffers from execution issues that detract from the overall experience.
- “Some of the special mechanics—ziplines, elevators, traps—when used well, add flavor and sense of danger.”
- “Cool game, mechanically the game is great, very enjoyable gameplay, the downsides are definitely the wooden animations and average optimization.”
- “The developer has really mastered the gameplay flow, the level design (okay, there are a couple of snags but it's near perfection), the character load-out and skills they have.”
- “The gameplay is clunky and basic.”
- “The gameplay experience is frustrating, primarily due to its sluggish combat pace.”
- “The gameplay is boring and simplistic; it frequently crashes, and the save games can corrupt with no way to fix them.”
graphics
341 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
45%
4%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the aesthetic and art style as a strong point that captures the grimdark atmosphere of the Warhammer 40k universe. While some players find the visuals stunning and immersive, others note issues such as repetitive environments, minor glitches, and a lack of variety in character models. Overall, the graphics are generally considered good, but they do not compensate for gameplay shortcomings, leading to a consensus that while visually appealing, the game falls short in other areas.
- “The intervening years have brought improved graphics, and the visual aspect of the game is perhaps its strongest point: it looks amazing, overwhelming the player with the towering baroque grime of the grimdark future.”
- “The graphics are amazing and probably the best representation of the Warhammer 40k world up close to date.”
- “The visuals are beautiful, exactly what Necromunda should look like, immersing you into the grim reality of 40k.”
- “The graphics and animations are very basic.”
- “Graphics do the job but they feel old.”
- “The graphics are pretty, but certainly not the grungy world of 40k that Necromunda is based in.”
stability
269 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
99%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous players reporting frequent technical glitches, including poor AI behavior, pathfinding issues, and crashes. While some users note that the game runs smoothly on high-end PCs, many others describe it as a "buggy mess" that feels unfinished and unpolished, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences. Despite these issues, some players still find enjoyment in the game, suggesting that it has potential if the developers address the numerous bugs and glitches.
- “Runs great.”
- “Runs great though, still very enjoyable.”
- “If you are looking for a smooth, bug-free experience, or did not like Mordheim, then maybe give it a pass; but otherwise, I recommend it.”
- “The game is a buggy mess, and currently impossible for me to play multiplayer with a friend.”
- “It's a buggy mess that I wish I could receive a refund for.”
- “This game has potential, but is unplayable in its current state... it has more game ruining glitches than most games that are early-access or still in beta testing.”
atmosphere
81 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
27%
4%
The atmosphere in "Necromunda: Underhive Wars" is widely praised for its rich, gritty depiction of the Warhammer 40k universe, featuring detailed environments, effective use of lighting, and a strong sense of place that resonates with fans of the tabletop game. While the game successfully captures the essence of the underhive with its atmospheric graphics and sound design, some players note issues with pacing and technical performance that detract from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, many reviewers find the atmosphere compelling enough to recommend the game, especially for those who appreciate tactical gameplay and the thematic elements of the Warhammer universe.
- “The environments are richly atmospheric: tangled metal walkways, rusted pipes, shifting levels, broken flooring, elevators and ziplines; the maps are often multi-level and offer many tactical dimensions, such as flanking from high ground, taking advantage of cover and choke points, or sabotaging terrain features.”
- “The atmosphere appropriately conveys the grunge and grime of the industrial wastes of the underhive, without seeming too same-y like many environments from Mordheim.”
- “As a Necromunda fan, they absolutely nailed the atmosphere.”
- “The look of the underhive is interesting, but it just seems to lack the right atmosphere to give you the feeling that you're fighting down in the filthy depths alongside your gang.”
- “The graphics, general art production, and atmosphere are fine but not enough to engross me.”
- “Bad realization of sci-fi cyberpunk bands which leads to a destroyed atmosphere (they looked like kids with guns, not the smart ones).”
music
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
42%
6%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its atmospheric qualities and ability to enhance the dark ambiance of the setting. While some describe the soundtrack as fitting and dynamic, effectively rising in intensity during combat, others find it generic and lacking memorability. Overall, the music is seen as a solid complement to the game's visuals and gameplay, though it may not stand out as particularly unique or memorable.
- “The soundtrack is a definite highlight - the electronic industrial music provides excellent ambiance, and dynamically changes with the gameplay, rising in intensity in combat and when a unit is put out of action.”
- “The graphics are solid, the gameplay is unique, and the soundtrack is awesome.”
- “The music kicks ass, the gameplay is solid with an absolute multitude of ways to build your gangs, let alone the visual customizations.”
- “The soundtrack, while suitably grimdark in tone, lacks variety and distinction - none of it's stuck in my mind after 70 hours of play.”
- “Music is very generic and not memorable.”
- “The music is so mediocre it hurts.”
humor
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The humor in the game is largely derived from the hilariously inept AI, which often leads to absurd situations such as characters getting stuck, making poor tactical decisions, or engaging in comically bad animations. Players find amusement in the chaotic interactions and glitches, although the novelty can wear off over time, leading to frustration. Overall, the game's blend of humor and challenge creates a unique experience that can be both entertaining and exasperating.
- “The AI is hilariously stupid and the game is very obviously half-baked, but despite that, the character customization is very nice, and the gameplay is still, while very simple, also pretty fun.”
- “Watching an enemy leader run around in a circle, throw the same (non-stacking) buff three times, then crouch in a corner would be funny if it didn't take all the challenge and fun out of the game.”
- “The choices it will make, while often beneficial to the player, are hilariously bad sometimes, especially if there are loot crates around.”
- “Nope, not funny.”
grinding
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and time-consuming, with players expressing frustration over slow animations, unskippable AI turns, and repetitive missions that detract from the overall experience. Many reviewers feel that the campaign serves as a drawn-out tutorial that forces players to endure monotonous gameplay to unlock customization options, leading to a sense of boredom and dissatisfaction. Overall, the grinding mechanics are seen as a significant flaw, overshadowing the game's potential and enjoyment.
- “Managing your own gang is fun and not tedious like it was in Mordheim. There's definitely work to be done, but so far it's shaping up to be a faithful recreation of the tabletop game.”
- “The constant selecting of your fighter, then waiting for the screen to tell you it's your turn, and watching the other team make their moves first... etc. etc. So far I have played 3 missions in the storyline, and it took 3 hours of tedious running around fighting.”
- “But those two improvements, while needed, aren't enough to fix the real problem which is boring, repetitive gameplay that just seems like grinding for the sake of grinding.”
- “The fact that you can't skip watching the AI's turns makes games extremely long and tedious.”
optimization
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
61%
27%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag, with many players reporting performance issues, including crashes, glitches, and inconsistent frame rates, particularly in complex scenarios. While some users experienced smooth gameplay without significant problems, others highlighted the need for further polishing and stability improvements. The general consensus suggests that the game is enjoyable but suffers from subpar optimization that detracts from the overall experience.
- “Mechanically the game functions fine for me and I haven't encountered any performance or save corruption others have reported.”
- “Performance and gameplay is buttery smooth.”
- “Runs smoothly”
- “The downside is a total lack of multiplayer support at this late date, flimsy optimization that will likely leave you struggling to get a balance of smooth operation and graphic fidelity worthy of the artwork that was so lovingly crafted down to the last arm strap and facial implant.”
- “Does not appear to be finished with many glitches and what appears to be poor optimization.”
- “Purchased, downloaded, adjusted my settings, 2 minutes of choppy unoptimized gameplay before it crashed abruptly, requested refund.”
replayability
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
61%
17%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the tactical depth and multiplayer options that offer significant replay value, others criticize the limited number of factions and classes, which can lead to repetitive gameplay. The operations mode provides a loop of mini-campaigns, but starting it can feel tedious, and the main story lacks replay value. Overall, the potential for replayability exists, particularly if future updates enhance AI and gameplay variety.
- “Great tactical gameplay with real replayability.”
- “Lots of replayability value and kept me very entertained.”
- “This game has a lot to offer in terms of replay value, if not in the gameplay loop or story mode then at least in multiplayer.”
- “No replay value in the main story.”
- “Only five fighter classes, three gangs are playable.”
- “Faction variety and asymmetry is critical for me, and the problem is, not only do three factions with identical classes reduce the game's replayability and I would dare say capacity for self-expression in a given playthrough, but it also means that you're going to see the same opponents for hours upon hours, with no end in sight, especially given that the main mode I'd expect to play seems like it is 100% procedural with flavorless RNG-generated gangs like those in Mordheim filler missions.”
monetization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
93%
The monetization strategy of the game has been heavily criticized, with many users labeling it as a blatant cash grab due to the release of subpar DLC packs while core gameplay issues remain unaddressed. Players express frustration over the lack of meaningful content and the abandonment of multiplayer servers, suggesting that the developers prioritize profit over player experience. Overall, the sentiment reflects disappointment in the game's monetization approach, which detracts from its potential.
- “What could have been such an engaging game stinks to high heaven of a dirty cash grab!”
- “What a joke of a game; might as well call it abandonware with the added insult of multiple cash grab DLCs being released while the core mechanics of the game are still broken.”
- “I'm really upset that they'd go for a cash grab DLC before fixing game-killing problems.”
character development
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
28%
27%
Character development in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the RPG-style system that allows for deep character and group builds. While the character designs and overall atmosphere are praised, some users note a lack of variety in customization options, such as hairstyles and facial features. Additionally, the linear campaign is criticized for lacking substantial character development, serving more as a tutorial than a meaningful progression experience.
- “The RPG style character development and equipment system offers some fairly deep character and group builds.”
- “Great time waster, I am really enjoying the storyline and character development.”
- “It's very true to the source material in character design, weapons, and terrain.”
- “There is also a linear campaign but without character development, which serves as a lengthy tutorial.”
- “Lacks a few character design options; it needs more hairstyles and face options.”
- “+/- easier to learn than Mordheim: with all of the gangers available from the start, and a bit more simplistic character development, you can really quickly get a hang of things.”
emotional
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a mix of emotional engagement and frustration with the game, highlighting the stakes involved in caring for their gang and the heartbreak of losses. While some find the emotional impact compelling, others criticize the gameplay mechanics that lead to exhaustion and disappointment. Overall, the emotional resonance varies, with some moments eliciting genuine feelings, but the story and gameplay issues detract from a consistently impactful experience.
- “The customization and progression systems encourage care for your gang, creating small emotional stakes in wins and losses.”
- “I cried a little bit, then started to pay attention.”
- “Story mode 6/10: not bad but not gonna make you get all emotional either.”

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64%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews

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11h Median play time

36h Average play time

9-43h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 32 analyzed playthroughs

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Necromunda: Underhive Wars is a tactical role playing game with science fiction theme.

Necromunda: Underhive Wars is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and others.

On average players spend around 36 hours playing Necromunda: Underhive Wars.

Necromunda: Underhive Wars was released on September 7, 2020.

Necromunda: Underhive Wars was developed by Rogue Factor.

Necromunda: Underhive Wars has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Necromunda: Underhive Wars is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Mordheim: City of the Damned, Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem, Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters, Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyr, WARMACHINE: Tactics and others.

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