Talisman: The Horus Heresy

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Talisman: The Horus Heresy is a single player and multiplayer role playing game with fantasy and science fiction themes. It was developed by Nomad Games and was released on February 22, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Talisman: The Horus Heresy is a digital board game based on the Talisman rule system and set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, during the cataclysmic events of the Horus Heresy. Up to four players will be able to take control of one or more of the galaxy's greatest heroes or most notorious villains. Taking the side of either traitor or loyalist, these Warlords will form vast companies of Space Mar…

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70%

Audience ScoreBased on 200 reviews

gameplay16 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

Great graphics and atmosphere that immerses players in the Warhammer 40K universe.
Fun gameplay that retains the essence of the original Talisman while introducing new mechanics.
Offers a cooperative experience with team-based gameplay, allowing players to strategize together.

Day one DLC is a cash grab, limiting character choices and content unless additional purchases are made.
The AI is often unchallenging and can lead to repetitive gameplay experiences.
The user interface can be cluttered and difficult to navigate, making it hard to keep track of game elements.

gameplay
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
60%
6%
The gameplay of this title is largely reminiscent of the original Talisman, featuring familiar mechanics but with unique elements that set it apart, such as character diversity and strategic options. While many players find the gameplay enjoyable and visually appealing, criticisms arise regarding repetitiveness, balance issues, and a lack of meaningful rewards, which can detract from the overall experience. Newcomers may struggle with the complexity, but those familiar with the series may appreciate the depth and tweaks introduced in this iteration.
- “The core gameplay is there; you still need to get a talisman and reach the inner sanctum tile, but this game adds enough of its own elements to stand apart from the original.”
- “The gameplay itself is fun, though a little complex to learn, but it’s one of those games (like Magic) that once you’ve learned the basics, it’s something you’ll never forget and will translate well into other games in the series.”
- “Talisman with a 40k (30k) skin and some awesome gameplay tweaks.”
- “The gameplay gets repetitive, the rewards are meaningless, there's a horrible undertone of unbalanced gameplay, and there's never a sense that you've actually gained or completed something because the game insists that you only helped win the game when in fact you did all the legwork.”
- “It doesn't matter what you do if the dice rolls against you, and the progression mechanic means that in the late game it is quite possible for one or more of the players to be completely unstoppable.”
- “For a price this high, I'd expect a much more polished and seamless gameplay.”
graphics
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
35%
9%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning artwork and attention to detail, particularly in the context of the Warhammer 40k universe. While some players appreciate the improved visuals and vibrant backgrounds, others criticize the clunky gameplay and lack of animation, feeling it detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game's graphics are seen as a significant improvement over its predecessor, though opinions vary on their execution and impact on gameplay.
- “The graphics are truly stunning, with planets and stellar constructs replacing the geography of the original board.”
- “This is some of the best 40k artwork I've ever seen and really brings the game alive.”
- “Graphically, the game looks really good and I especially like the background details when zooming into different sectors.”
- “Graphics from a 1986 Commodore 64 and garish music accompany lame gameplay.”
- “Although the graphics are better, it seems fairly clunky to play without the old-school 'charm' of the original Talisman game.”
- “It is both aesthetically poor and also functionally broken.”
story
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
74%
13%
The story in "Talisman: Horus Heresy" is rooted in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, where players embody space marine warlords on a quest to build their armies and complete missions related to the legendary battle for Terra. While the game offers a rich thematic experience for fans, some players feel that it struggles with narrative coherence, misrepresenting key events in the Horus Heresy timeline, which can detract from immersion. Overall, the game provides a blend of quests and strategic gameplay, appealing to those who appreciate the lore, despite some frustrations with mission accessibility and AI behavior.
- “Gave me a great feeling for the Horus Heresy story, a game that I will come back to time and time again solo or with friends.”
- “Will you help Horus in his quest or will you assist the Emperor to successfully eliminate the greatest Warmaster and traitor of mankind?”
- “For a Warhammer 30,000 player seeking to enjoy a relatively measured-paced game, set in the storyline of the Horus Heresy, this game is certainly a must.”
- “If you are looking for action and story, this is not it.”
- “Then there is the problem that the game completely messes up the storyline, giving the impression that Isstvan III, Isstvan V, the war on Calth, and the battle for Prospero were all happening at the same time during the Siege of Terra. This makes immersion near impossible.”
- “Couldn't find a quest on the questingest day of the year if they had an electrified quest-finding machine.”
music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the epic soundtrack and its fidelity to the lore, while others criticize it as underwhelming and overpriced, especially when offered as paid DLC. Many players feel that the music does not significantly enhance the gameplay experience, often overshadowed by sound effects. Overall, while the art and thematic elements are appreciated, the music's value and impact are seen as lacking.
- “I enjoy the art that represents each victory type, and the end music that goes with it, as well.”
- “Epic soundtrack, magnificent artworks and fidelity to the lore, while changing the scenario.”
- “Co-op play, more balanced and streamlined gameplay and the graphics and soundtrack are amazing!”
- “Graphics from a 1986 Commodore 64 and garish music accompany lame gameplay.”
- “Firstly, the soundtrack, which is optional as a DLC, is too overpriced and underwhelming.”
- “The game soundtrack, which is usually included for free in a core game purchase, is pay-for DLC as well.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, especially when pursuing achievements or dealing with AI that prolongs gameplay with overly strategic moves. The experience can become frustrating, even when playing with friends, as the repetitive nature of tasks detracts from overall enjoyment.
- “I simply do not possess the vocabulary to describe how utterly tedious this was even while playing with a good friend.”
- “Very grindy if you care about achievements.”
- “AI, do you really have to play every possible strategy you have during the end game when turns are already tedious enough?”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game offers solid replayability due to its diverse gameplay experiences tied to different factions, encouraging players to explore various strategies. However, the limited number of cards and the absence of certain key characters may hinder long-term replay value for some players. Overall, while there are elements that enhance replayability, certain restrictions could dampen the experience for those seeking variety.
- “You probably won’t see it all in a single game, which is good for replayability.”
- “I really like how data slates play differently depending on your faction, as it really adds to the replay value of this game.”
- “What's not good for replayability is that whether you're a loyalist or chaos servant, the cards themselves are limited.”
- “This game adheres rather strictly to the book series it seems and many of the primarchs are replaced with champion stand-ins, neither Rogal Dorn nor Lorgar Aurelian are playable at this time which is a bit of a disappointment but not a major concern.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game's stability has been negatively impacted by the Ultramar DLC, leading to frequent crashes and bugs that disrupt gameplay. While some players still find enjoyment in the overall experience and graphics, the persistent issues with stability and a chaotic interface detract from its quality.
- “I won't not recommend the game, since it's still a solid board game with nice graphics and no glitches that popped up while I played.”
- “A decent game in which I've enjoyed many hours, but unfortunately since the Ulramar DLC, it has become quite buggy and games randomly crash, leaving you no option but to quit the game.”
- “It's an expensive branded ripoff that doesn't deliver any new content worth the price tag and is buggy as hell.”
- “Much more polished than Talisman, but still retains that wonky, buggy, and chaotic interface that forces you to reload the game in some instances.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for its heavy reliance on microtransactions, with many characters locked behind paywalls and additional content perceived as exploitative cash grabs. Players express frustration over the limited availability of characters and the ongoing introduction of new ones through paid options.
- “The game offers a variety of microtransactions that enhance the experience without feeling forced.”
- “While there are microtransactions, they provide additional content rather than locking essential features behind a paywall.”
- “The monetization model is balanced, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend money.”
- “All of this, and the fact that less than half the primarchs are available as characters, with more coming in a microtransaction style.”
- “The heroes and villains packs are nothing but a shameless cash grab.”
- “Yay, tons of microtransactions!”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by amusing system interactions, such as transformations into chaos spawns, and is complemented by a self-aware, dry wit that resonates with players.
- “Some funny system interactions, like being turned into a chaos spawn, really add to the humor of the game.”
- “Allow me to take the time to explain this to you with my awful grammar and dry sense of humor.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the overall experience and making players feel deeply engaged in the campaign, akin to a fun board game.
- “It plays and feels like a fun board game, but the atmosphere and setting really do a great job at immersing you into your campaign.”

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76h Median play time

52h Average play time

3-100h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Talisman: The Horus Heresy is a role playing game with fantasy and science fiction themes.

Talisman: The Horus Heresy is available on PC, Mac OS, Phone, iPad and others.

On average players spend around 52 hours playing Talisman: The Horus Heresy.

Talisman: The Horus Heresy was released on February 22, 2016.

Talisman: The Horus Heresy was developed by Nomad Games.

Talisman: The Horus Heresy has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its story.

Talisman: The Horus Heresy is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Talisman, The Witcher Adventure Game, Talisman: Prologue, Tales from Candlekeep: Tomb of Annihilation, Space Hulk: Ascension and others.

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