Space Hulk: Ascension

About

Space Hulk: Ascension is a turn-based strategy game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Players command a squad of Space Marine Terminators fighting through massive, derelict spaceships infested with Genestealers. The game features new weapons, enemies, and missions, as well as improved AI and customization options compared to the original Space Hulk.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

72%

Audience ScoreBased on 629 reviews

story32 positive mentions

optimization8 negative mentions

Faithful adaptation of the board game with improved graphics and sound.
Challenging gameplay that requires careful planning and strategy.
Character progression and customization add depth and investment in the squad.

Numerous bugs and glitches, including unfinishable missions.
Clunky controls and interface that can lead to frustrating misclicks.
Dark environments make navigation difficult and can obscure important elements.

story
354 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
85%
6%
The game's story is minimal, primarily consisting of brief mission briefings with little narrative depth or character development, leading to a repetitive experience across missions. While players can engage in various tactical scenarios, the lack of cutscenes and voice acting detracts from the overall immersion, making the missions feel disconnected from a cohesive storyline. Despite the atmospheric setting and potential for rich lore, many reviewers express disappointment in the execution, noting that the gameplay often overshadows any narrative elements.
- “The game lets you write your own story of your battle brothers inside the space hulk.”
- “The campaign system has also received a little bit of attention, with branching mission lines and flash missions that crop up between the main strokes, giving you the opportunity to hunt down bonuses or rare and powerful weapon upgrades.”
- “I find myself caring much more about my individual marines and carefully managing upgrades, skills, weapons, who I use in a mission, etc. The game is brutally difficult even on normal.”
- “This game lacks narrative guidance or depth, and only provides story content in the form of mission briefs.”
- “The missions get repetitive, there's no real story here, just a few loading screen infos with a bit of fluff, no voice over, no real mission briefings, no sense of drama, which 40k is so known for, no cutscenes, nothing, it's just a bit bland.”
- “There is not much story to be had and briefings are very minimalistic which is a shame as there is no real narrative to tie things together.”
gameplay
141 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
72%
6%
The gameplay of the game is a mix of solid mechanics and frustrating design choices, with many players noting its slow pace and repetitive nature due to limited enemy variety and linear mission structures. While some appreciate the strategic depth and customization options, others criticize the clunky controls and lack of an undo feature, which can lead to costly mistakes. Overall, it offers a challenging tactical experience that may appeal to fans of the genre, but it is marred by inconsistencies and a steep learning curve.
- “It's the board game with a ton of scenarios minus the setup, rule arguments, ruined friendships, etc. The PC manages the mechanics and you can focus on strategies to win.”
- “The gameplay is easy to learn but hard to master, a solid difficulty curve will keep you from getting bored and a diverse selection of marine chapters along with varied mission paths give the game tons of replay value.”
- “The gameplay experience can be tailored to a casual environment where you play 30 minutes a day, or to a hardcore completionist's need to get their achievement hardcore-mode fix.”
- “The gameplay is slow, really slow; your marines have very limited moving abilities and you're swarmed by genestealers constantly, so at best you can move an inch and at worst you may be stuck in a choke for far too long. Give the genestealers too much time and the RNG will mess you up badly.”
- “However, the gameplay does feel a bit repetitive after a while, primarily because of a lack of enemy variety.”
- “The atmosphere, graphics, and sounds are lovely, but unfortunately the controls and gameplay are so muddied and clunky that the game is unnecessarily and bizarrely difficult to play.”
graphics
105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
53%
12%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the atmospheric visuals and attention to detail, while others criticize performance issues and a lack of polish. Many players appreciate the improved aesthetics compared to previous titles, noting the effective use of lighting and customization options, but some find the graphics too dark or unplayable on lower-end systems. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered a step up, they are not without significant flaws that impact gameplay experience.
- “The game offers some nice graphics and a beautiful aesthetic which is pleasant all the same and has some amazing attention to detail even though it is a little rough around the edges.”
- “Great graphics, sound, animations!”
- “The graphics upgrade is enough to justify the purchase, but the XP and advancement system adds a whole new level of strategy.”
- “Graphics are okay but the performance is god awful for some reason.”
- “The graphics are unplayably bad.”
- “Can't see anything, can't see where the map is going, the graphics and animations are really bad, the HUD is horrible, not intuitive at all... and it's pretty boring, shooting the same enemies again and again with no scenario at all.”
atmosphere
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
37%
6%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dark, immersive, and tense qualities, effectively capturing the grimdark essence of the Warhammer 40k universe. While the visuals and sound design contribute significantly to this atmosphere, some players note that the excessive darkness can hinder gameplay visibility and navigation. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a strong point, enhancing the game's horror elements, despite criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics and narrative depth.
- “The dev did a great job creating a dark and scary atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere here is as grim/dark as you'd want from a 40k game and there's a lot of little fixes here that make this the version of Space Hulk to buy.”
- “Right from the start, this new entry in the Space Hulk universe oozes atmosphere.”
- “Visually it's okay, but the 'dark foreboding' atmosphere also translates to being unable to tell where walls are or where vents start or end.”
- “The game is also way too dark, much darker than it needed for a 'scary' atmosphere.”
- “Although clearly done for atmosphere, there's also a bit of an issue with the visibility on some maps where there's a specific route you have to take, but unless you up the gamma you'll never see it.”
optimization
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
64%
29%
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with users reporting severe performance issues, including significant frame rate drops and high GPU usage in the main menu compared to in-game. Many players recommend turning off certain features, like the shoulder camera, to improve performance, but overall, the game struggles to run smoothly even on high-end systems. Despite its engaging gameplay, the poor optimization detracts from the experience, making it difficult for players to enjoy without constant adjustments to settings.
- “Each board is like a little puzzle you have to solve to optimize your performance.”
- “Meeting mission goals, killing genestealers, and ultimately just surviving the very deadly environment of the space hulk nets each terminator XP rewards, that can increase the level of the character and allow them to upgrade their attributes and gain access to new skills that buff combat performance and weapon loadouts.”
- “But that brings me to its biggest flaw - its horrible optimization.”
- “The performance is abysmal, even when turning off the shoulder camera (pro tip: do it, you'll never look at it anyway, but you gain a lot of fps).”
- “The game has a plethora of performance issues with constantly low fps (regardless of the graphics settings) and will clog up your virtual memory after just a couple of rounds.”
stability
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
5%
85%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly in expansion packs. Issues range from graphical glitches and invisible barriers to significant frame rate drops, making some levels uncompletable. While some users find the core game playable, the overall experience is marred by persistent technical problems and a lack of effective patches.
- “Don't get me wrong, it is not bug-free, but so far, it is playable!”
- “This one, in contrast to the first one, is, as far as I've seen, bug-free.”
- “Not playable on Linux due to graphical glitches obscuring your view.”
- “Glitches render it uncompletable without avoiding large portions of the content, and there seems to be no prospect of patches.”
- “Not broken as in technical performance issues, broken as in levels cannot be completed due to in-game glitches, meaning you can only progress to a certain point.”
grinding
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for its tedious mechanics, including slow movement, excessive reliance on action points, and frustrating RNG elements that detract from the overall experience. Players find the upgrade and leveling system overly grindy, leading to a lack of engagement and enjoyment, especially during lengthy missions. Overall, the game is perceived as laborious and repetitive, making it difficult for players to stay invested.
- “I am a fan of XCOM and turn-based strategies, but this is just plain tedious.”
- “And lastly, the upgrade and leveling system allows you to level your marines and get them different weapons and skills, but it feels so grindy to get something more interesting and spice up that boring and tedious experience.”
- “Tedious and grindy, gets boring really quickly due to lack of change.”
music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
57%
21%
The music in the game has received largely negative feedback, with many users describing it as repetitive, dull, and lacking variety, which detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the atmospheric sounds that contribute to the horror setting, the absence of a compelling soundtrack has left players wanting more. There is hope that future updates may address these concerns by introducing a quality music soundtrack.
- “For me, it all culminated in 1989, with the near-simultaneous release of Space Hulk and the now legendary Bolt Thrower album 'Realm of Chaos.' The game was exciting and unpredictable, even scary, and the music was glorious.”
- “I love a good soundtrack, and this game doesn't offer much in that regard, as music is used sparingly (which in this game's case, is not a bad thing) - as the mood of the game is set not by instruments, but by the atmospheric sounds of the space hulks; the screams of vicious biological terrors; and the blasts of bolters shredding apart bodies and the clanging against metal - which is perfect for a horror setting.”
- “Separately, Games Workshop titles tend to have excellent music, sound effects, voice acting, and overall experience.”
- “The background music just makes the game all the more underwhelming and dull.”
- “The background music is beyond dull, if not non-existent.”
- “The only thing missing is a quality music soundtrack to go with it, but as this is written on release day, it is highly possible that the developer may be adding one in with a patch at some point.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
50%
The game offers significant replayability due to its easy-to-learn yet challenging gameplay, diverse marine chapters, and varied mission paths. Players can engage with different legions across multiple campaigns, enhancing the overall experience. While some may find it less appealing, the solid balance and low price contribute to its enduring replay value.
- “The gameplay is easy to learn but hard to master; a solid difficulty curve will keep you from getting bored, and a diverse selection of marine chapters (even minus the DLC) along with varied mission paths give the game tons of replay value.”
- “Space Hulk, via luck or judgment, is a game that has outstanding balance and replayability and has been playtested to death over the course of the better part of 3 decades.”
- “You can play any legion you own through any of the campaigns, which makes for enormous replayability.”
- “The gameplay is easy to learn but hard to master; a solid difficulty curve will keep you from getting bored. However, the lack of significant changes in mission structure limits long-term replayability.”
- “You can play any legion you own through any of the campaigns, which initially seems promising, but ultimately feels repetitive after a few runs.”
- “While the game offers a variety of marine chapters and mission paths, the core gameplay loop becomes stale quickly, diminishing its replay value.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The monetization strategy of the game heavily relies on microtransactions for unlocking chapters and special skills, which are currently unavailable for purchase, leading to criticism that it prioritizes profit over quality game design. Players feel that the approach is exploitative, labeling it a "cash grab" that detracts from the overall experience.
- “The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel overly aggressive, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend money.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers a variety of ways to earn in-game currency, making it possible to enjoy premium content without spending real money.”
- “The balance between free and paid content is well done, ensuring that players can progress without feeling forced to make purchases.”
- “All the chapters and their special skills require microtransactions, which are no longer possible to buy.”
- “Video game designers know nothing about good game design, but they excel in in-game purchases and pointless character level ups.”
- “Cash grab, cash grab, cash grab!”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report that the game evokes strong emotional responses, with some expressing that it made them cry after extensive playtime. Despite feelings of stagnation in progression due to the stat/skill system, many still find themselves forming deep emotional attachments to the game.
- “After playing around 70 hours, I can say that this game made me cry.”
- “10/10 would gain an emotional attachment again.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is often described as hit-or-miss, with some players finding it amusing while others feel it detracts from the experience, particularly due to unexpected and often frustrating deaths imposed by the game master for comedic effect.
- “I will now commence with a further list of relatively hilarious things I would have better spent my five dollars on.”
- “You will at times suddenly die in random hideous ways through no fault of your own, because the GM thought it would be funny.”