Space Hulk: Tactics

57%
Game Brain Score Based on 993 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

57%
Audience ScoreBased on 993 reviews
story80 positive mentions
stability24 negative mentions
  • Faithful adaptation of the board game with great graphics and sound design.
  • Engaging tactical gameplay that requires careful planning and strategy.
  • Customizable squads and the addition of a card system add depth to the gameplay.
  • Clunky and unintuitive user interface that can lead to frustration.
  • AI behavior can be passive, making some missions feel too easy or repetitive.
  • Frequent crashes and bugs that disrupt gameplay experience.
  • story426 mentions

    The story in the game is generally well-received, featuring two distinct campaigns that provide a basic yet engaging narrative set in the Warhammer 40K universe. Players appreciate the voice acting and the lore integration, although some find the plot to be somewhat linear and repetitive, with missions often feeling similar and lacking depth. While the campaign offers moments of intrigue and tactical decision-making, it suffers from a limited variety of missions and a lack of significant consequences for failure, which can diminish the overall impact of the story.

    • “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 I also found very enjoyable and well written with some really great voice acting that elevated the experience even more.”
    • “The focus on the narrative, making it a little clearer why the hulk must be destroyed, and how that, instead of a series of missions that draw heavily on familiarity with the lore, is refreshing so far.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay266 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, closely mirroring the mechanics of the original board game, which can lead to a steep learning curve for newcomers. While some players appreciate the strategic depth and card mechanics that add variety, others find the gameplay slow, clunky, and poorly explained, resulting in frustration. Overall, the game offers a nostalgic experience for fans of the tabletop version, but it struggles with execution and accessibility, leaving some players feeling overwhelmed or disappointed.

    • “The gameplay is very good, uses cards which 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, better overwatch... it is less predictable compared to the classic command points system of the original board game, but it's fun and allows for some heroic terminator moments at times.”
    • “The gameplay, while slow and plodding and very unforgiving, is also extremely rewarding.”
    • “Smooth gameplay and relatively complex, worth getting into.”
    • “The game introduces mechanics and then never explains them.”
    • “Sadly as far as gameplay, it sucks.”
    • “Not sure how you can take such a simple concept and turn it into a mechanical nightmare, but they managed it.”
  • graphics186 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received widespread praise for their stunning visuals, attention to detail, and ability to capture the grim atmosphere of the Warhammer 40k universe. Many players appreciate the immersive first-person view and the quality of cutscenes, although some have noted issues with the user interface and occasional technical glitches. Overall, the graphics are considered a highlight, enhancing the experience 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.”
    • “Level graphics not so much.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere66 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 40,000 universe. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a tense, claustrophobic environment, particularly in first-person mode, while also noting that the isometric view maintains a strong atmospheric presence. Overall, the game's aesthetic and narrative elements contribute to a rich, engaging experience that resonates well with 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.”
  • music36 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for enhancing the atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its ability to fit the setting and contribute to a sense of immersion. While some describe it as enjoyable and a step above generic, others feel it lacks memorability compared to previous titles in the franchise. Overall, the soundtrack and ambient tracks are considered effective in creating a tense and engaging experience.

    • “The ambience and soundtracks are amazing as well.”
    • “Music is enjoyable as it fits the setting and doesn't get old.”
    • “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.”
  • stability24 mentions

    The game has been criticized for its stability, with numerous reports of bugs, crashes, and freezes that detract from the overall experience. While some players appreciate the visual polish and graphics, many express frustration over the frequent glitches and a problematic user interface. Overall, the game's stability issues have led to disappointment among users, with some even seeking refunds.

    • “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.”
  • optimization22 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its solid performance and smooth gameplay, particularly on consoles, with no significant crashes or performance issues reported. However, it is noted that the optimization for PC is lacking, suggesting a design primarily tailored for console play. Improvements have been made since early access, enhancing balance and quality of life features, but some players still experienced minor performance issues.

    • “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.”
    • “It's a really good looking game, pretty well optimized.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability14 mentions

    The game's replayability is a significant focus, with many players appreciating the depth offered by its asymmetrical factions and the map editor, which enhances replay value. However, some critics note that the single-player campaign lacks replayability and that additional content, such as campaigns and customizations, would further improve the experience. Overall, while the game has strong replayability potential, it could benefit from more diverse content.

    • “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 boardgame-esque adaptation, something that might be problematic now that it has been out for a while.”
    • “This game just needs more content, campaign, units, upgrades, and customizations to increase its replayability further.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unapproachable, particularly in comparison to previous versions. The gameplay is solid, but many feel it lacks rewards for tactical diversity, leading to a repetitive experience that detracts from overall enjoyment. Improvements in pacing and engagement are needed to alleviate the 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.”
  • monetization6 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. Many players express strong disapproval of the company's tactics, viewing them as a scam that undermines customer trust.

    • “I'm totally against such practices from companies that try to scam customers behind false or subtle advertising, making the game appear much more than it actually is.”
    • “This game has a lot of 'false' advertising about it.”
    • “Lazy, ugly, buggy cash grabs are all they do.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a satirical take on its mechanics, with players noting the absurdity of powerful units like terminators being easily defeated and the comically poor performance of elite characters. Additionally, the clever play on the game's abbreviation adds a layer of self-referential humor that resonates with players. Overall, the humor is sharp and often highlights the game's flaws in a lighthearted 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.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting its faithful adaptation, impressive graphics, and immersive atmosphere. Many feel that it could have alleviated past emotional traumas associated with earlier gaming experiences, indicating that the game resonates deeply on a personal level.

    • “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 development2 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. This approach maintains the core gameplay while providing meaningful upgrades and bonuses to the army.

    • “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.”
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 12 analyzed playthroughs

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