Space Hulk: Tactics

63%
Game Brain Score Based on 495 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Space Hulk: Tactics Game Cover
A blast from the past rebuilt for current gaming, with enhancements and improvements to gameplay.
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Space Hulk: Tactics is a faithful adaptation of the board game Space Hulk, set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, bringing a unique twist to the cult classic formula. Engage in bloody battles through an immense Space Hulk - a twisted mass of asteroids, wrecked star ships, and debris – as either a squad of Terminator Space Marines or the deadly alien Genestealers. Which side will you choose? Batt…

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

63%
Audience ScoreBased on 495 reviews
story40 positive mentions
stability12 negative mentions
  • Faithful adaptation of the Space Hulk board game with great graphics and sound design.
  • The card system adds a new layer of strategy and customization to the gameplay.
  • The atmosphere and voice acting effectively capture the grimdark essence of the Warhammer 40k universe.
  • The AI is often passive and does not engage effectively, making the game feel unchallenging.
  • The user interface is clunky and not intuitive, leading to frustration during gameplay.
  • Frequent crashes and bugs detract from the overall experience, making it feel unfinished.
  • story213 mentions

    The game's story is generally well-received, featuring an engaging narrative that follows the struggle against a monstrous space hulk, with campaigns for both Space Marines and Genestealers. While the voice acting and lore are praised, many players find the story basic and the mission structure repetitive, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, the narrative provides a satisfying backdrop for the gameplay, but it lacks depth and variety, which detracts from the overall experience.

    • “The story is intriguing, and the very fact that there are two campaigns (and a bunch of other factions for multiplayer) shows that the team was aiming high.”
    • “The story is well acted, and I'm enjoying it so far.”
    • “The campaign has an odd but interesting progression system, and the story is great.”
    • “The complete lack of consequences for losing a battle-brother (and very little penalty for actually losing a mission) makes the campaign feel kind of inconsequential, and the limited map pool doesn't make it any more appealing, especially if you see these maps multiple times across the playthrough.”
    • “The campaign is a) rather short b) full of repeating maps c) there's little story content here (sometimes small in-game cutscenes, some static voiced conversations...that's all), the campaign map feels and plays as empty and void as it looks.”
    • “I only spent about 2 hours into the game, and became bored after mission 3, we played all the way through to the first ending, and all the missions were the same thing (defend/retrieve/protect), and one of the missions we got the same exact map as a previous mission, which shows incredible lack of variety in the level design.”
  • gameplay132 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, with many players noting its close adherence to the mechanics of the original board game, which can lead to a steep learning curve and feelings of repetitiveness. While some appreciate the strategic depth added by new card mechanics, others criticize the slow pace, lack of clear tutorials, and clunky execution that detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game offers a blend of tactical gameplay that can be rewarding for those familiar with the source material, but may frustrate newcomers or those seeking a more streamlined experience.

    • “The gameplay is very good, using cards that can be converted to extra squad action points or played to give your squad or individual terminators bonus movement, better chances at shots or close combat, and better overwatch. It's less predictable compared to the classic command points system of the original board game, but it's fun and allows for some heroic moments.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth and very quick, promoting tactical thinking and offering a satisfying experience.”
    • “The card mechanic is a new addition that generally adds a lot of strategy to both sides, making the gameplay engaging and enjoyable.”
    • “I didn't understand the gameplay mechanics; every match I played, I got my ass handed to me.”
    • “The game introduces mechanics and then never explains them.”
    • “Sadly, as far as gameplay, it sucks.”
  • graphics93 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received widespread praise for their stunning visuals, atmospheric design, and faithful representation of the Warhammer 40k universe. Many players appreciate the detailed animations and immersive cutscenes, although some have noted issues with the user interface and occasional technical glitches. Overall, the visuals are considered a highlight, enhancing the game's appeal despite some gameplay criticisms.

    • “The atmosphere is fantastic, the visuals are incredible, the idea to grant me an FPS view is top notch for immersion.”
    • “The graphics and sound create a spot-on atmosphere for the setting, too good than it has any right to be.”
    • “The campaign is fun, the graphics and animations are gorgeous, and give a really cinematic atmosphere.”
    • “Only the graphics are better.”
    • “Yes, there are interface quirks and bugs, yes the graphics and animations are choppy (play at lowest graphic levels), and other lore quirks you can already read on other negative reviews.”
    • “The graphics are a bit 'try hard' – they focus on trying to look pretty rather than clearly show the map the game is played on.”
  • atmosphere33 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, with exceptional graphics, sound design, and voice acting that effectively capture the essence of the Warhammer 40k universe. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a tense and claustrophobic environment, particularly in first-person mode, enhancing the overall experience. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the atmospheric elements remain a standout feature, making it a must-play for fans of the franchise.

    • “The atmosphere is fantastic, the visuals are incredible, the idea to grant me an FPS view is top notch for immersion.”
    • “If you're a 40k fan, which I am, the atmosphere in this game is utterly amazing and makes it basically a must buy.”
    • “The developers have done a great job capturing the aesthetic and atmosphere of the 40k universe.”
    • “The atmosphere is still present in the isometric view, it's just not quite as all-encompassing as the first-person view, as you might expect.”
    • “If you like the atmosphere of 40k then you won't be disappointed in at least the art of the game, but again it doesn't exactly have you glued to your chair wanting to explore more of the death hulk as exploration is nothing more than clicking some nodes on a map and reading that you got 300 credits to do near nothing with.”
    • “The campaign and the narrative aspect are also quite nice, since they also feed into the claustrophobic, desperate and hostile atmosphere.”
  • music18 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for enhancing the atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its fitting and immersive qualities that complement the gameplay. While some describe it as enjoyable and a step above generic, others feel it lacks memorable tracks compared to previous titles in the series. Overall, the soundtrack effectively contributes to the game's tense and claustrophobic environment, though opinions vary on its standout quality.

    • “The ambience and soundtracks are amazing as well.”
    • “The music and atmospheric effects add perfectly to this dense claustrophobic feeling, as you constantly feel chased or watched while listening to them, and this is just brilliant.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing.”
    • “Nothing extremely noteworthy with the music, but it's at least a slight step above generic.”
    • “The music will get more intense as the mission progresses and more units are killed.”
    • “The music and atmospheric effects add perfectly to this dense, claustrophobic feeling, as you constantly feel chased or watched while listening to them, and this is just brilliant.”
  • stability12 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting various bugs and glitches, particularly visual ones, that detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the polished graphics and engaging content, frequent crashes and frustrating interface issues have led to disappointment among users, with several expressing frustration over the game's performance and stability. Overall, the game is seen as a potentially great title hindered by its technical shortcomings.

    • “Badass game, but the crashes and freezes are a bit disappointing.”
    • “A buggy mess.. can even open the squad management window start a mission without a fatal error.”
    • “My game won't start; it starts loading but then freezes and crashes. I'm angry this looks like an amazing game, but I can't play it and I spent 40 dollars on it.”
  • optimization11 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with smooth performance and no significant crashes reported, particularly on consoles. However, some users noted that it feels less optimized for PC, despite improvements made since early access. The visuals are appealing, and quality-of-life enhancements have contributed to a solid gaming experience.

    • “It is a fun turn-based game with nice cinematic effects; I have experienced no crashes or performance issues thus far.”
    • “I got this game way back in early access and the game has improved a lot since then, from optimization, balance, AI improvements, and quality of life improvements such as a fast forward button.”
    • “Very clearly designed for console, and not optimized for PC at all.”
    • “The game seems to be optimized to be playable on consoles too, so this explains a bit.”
    • “It was the better choice although it had performance issues and many felt it was too dark.”
  • replayability7 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while it offers depth through asymmetrical factions and a user-friendly map editor that enhances replay value, some players feel that the single-player campaign lacks replayability and that additional content is needed to sustain long-term interest. The graphics and scenarios contribute positively to replayability, but the reliance on boardgame mechanics may pose challenges as time goes on.

    • “If you're like me, this description of the basic strategies followed by the core rules defining the factions' asymmetry should be all you need to see the replayability and depth this game offers.”
    • “Graphics are really nice and scenarios have surprising replayability.”
    • “To me it's the best Space Hulk game ever made, and the map editor promises a huge replayability.”
    • “Clearly the developers are relying heavily on the replayability of this more board game-esque adaptation, something that might be problematic now that it has been out for a while.”
    • “This game just needs more content, campaign, units, and upgrades to increase its replayability further.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is perceived as tedious and unapproachable, with players feeling that it detracts from the overall enjoyment. While the gameplay is solid, there is a lack of meaningful rewards for changing tactics, leading to a repetitive experience that could benefit from smoother pacing and reduced grind.

    • “Where the PS3 version of Space Hulk made the game fun and easy to play, this version made it tedious and unapproachable.”
    • “Tedious and not advancing the game.”
    • “No real reward for switching up tactics (or need to), so it's quite grindy.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization practices of the game have been criticized as deceptive and exploitative, with users labeling it a cash grab that relies on false advertising to misrepresent its quality and value. Many players express strong discontent with the company's tactics, viewing them as a scam against consumers.

    • “Lazy, ugly, buggy cash grabs are all they do.”
    • “This game has a lot of 'false' advertising about it.”
    • “I'm totally against such practices from companies that try to scam customers with false or subtle advertising, making the game appear much more than it actually is.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a satirical take on its mechanics, with players noting the absurdity of weak terminators and inept elite units, as well as clever wordplay that highlights the game's shortcomings. This self-deprecating humor adds a layer of entertainment, making light of the game's flaws in a playful manner.

    • “Your terminators die if they even get looked at funny, the supposed 'elite of the Adeptus Astartes' have the armor of girl scouts, and their shooting ability will rank somewhere between Stevie Wonder and the Iraqi army.”
    • “It’s also kinda funny that the abbreviation I’ve been using for this game, SHT, is only really missing one letter.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting its faithful adaptation, excellent graphics, and immersive atmosphere. Many feel that it evokes personal memories and trauma, suggesting that the game resonates deeply on an emotional level, often contrasting it with less favorable past experiences.

    • “What I'm trying to say is there is no way this game deserves mixed reviews, as it's a faithful adaptation with excellent graphics, music, and atmosphere. I wish I had it to play by myself instead of that cursed board game when I was younger to save me all that emotional trauma which I now have to repress again.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is enhanced through a card system that replaces traditional experience points, allowing players to unlock new weapons and modules for their soldiers while upgrading their decks for improved bonuses. This approach maintains the core gameplay mechanics while providing meaningful progression.

    • “The card system is a great improvement that allows for character development without breaking the core mechanics: instead of experience points, you unlock new weapons and modules for your soldiers and upgrade your deck with cards that provide better bonuses to your army.”
    • “The depth of character development in this game is impressive, as each choice you make significantly impacts your character's abilities and story arc.”
    • “I love how the character development is tied to the narrative; every decision feels meaningful and shapes the journey of my character in unique ways.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

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Play time

4hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
1-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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