The Horus Heresy: Betrayal at Calth
- May 28, 2020
- Steel Wool Studios
Get on Steam"The Horus Heresy: Betrayal at Calth" is a turn-based strategy game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Players command a Space Marine company during the Horus Heresy, leading them in tactical combat against traitorous forces. The game features a rich narrative, multiple factions, and a variety of customization options. It also includes a multiplayer mode for players to test their strategies against each other.
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- The game has a solid Warhammer 40K atmosphere with great voice acting and detailed character models.
- Despite its issues, the turn-based gameplay offers a fun challenge and has potential for strategic depth.
- The developers have shown responsiveness to community feedback and have made improvements over time.
- The game appears to be abandoned by the developers, with little to no updates or communication since its early access launch.
- Many players report significant bugs and performance issues, especially in VR, making it nearly unplayable.
- The game lacks content and polish, with a limited campaign and many mechanics poorly explained or implemented.
- story14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The story has garnered mixed reactions, with some players expressing a lack of interest in its depth while others find it engaging, particularly those who appreciate the Warhammer 30k lore. The campaign currently features a limited number of missions, but players are optimistic about future updates that promise to expand the narrative and introduce new content. However, technical issues and bugs have hindered the experience for some, affecting their ability to progress through the story.
“I hope to see more like Horus the Primarch turning against the Lord Emperor; for me, this is the story I want to see most.”
“This game is in the beginning stages, graphics are great so far, the storyline is perfect; I have been engrossed since I started!”
“If you love the Warhammer 30k storyline, love turn-based strategy, and have patience for a game in development, then bring it on!”
“Maybe there's more to the story, but I doubt I would care to know.”
“Currently, the campaign has just 5 missions, including one from the board game.”
“This latest string of patches brought Act 2 to the game, continuing where the story left off last time. When I first attempted to play the new mission, I encountered some bugs, including one that prevented me from playing the next mission.”
- gameplay13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many users highlighting a steep learning curve due to a lack of a comprehensive tutorial and confusing controls, particularly in non-VR settings. While the turn-based mechanics are reminiscent of popular titles like XCOM, players feel the game lacks content and a cohesive blend of mechanics, making it difficult to fully engage with the gameplay. Overall, while some appreciate the turn-based system, others find it detracts from the experience.
“Gameplay is hex turn-based like the great XCOM games, however, unlike it, it lacks in content.”
“Having played the board game helps to understand the mechanics a bit.”
“I love the turn-based gameplay.”
“The tutorial is nearly nonexistent, so I don't understand the mechanics, UI, or controls. It would probably make more sense on the desktop, and the core idea is okay (radial menu on the right hand, camera controls on the left hand), but the learning curve is a vertical wall.”
“I can't evaluate the core gameplay as I wasn't able to 'play' in any meaningful sense.”
“Maybe a long time from now this game will be further along and the very basic mechanics will work, but for now this is a complete waste of money.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their appealing design and animations, particularly in the context of the Warhammer universe, though some users note that the sharpness could be improved. While the map design and overall visual style are well-received, there are concerns about performance issues, such as frame rate stability and the effectiveness of graphical settings. Many hope for further polishing to enhance the visual experience as the game develops.
“The map design and graphics are great, and the voice acting and sound effects are spot on for Warhammer 30/40k.”
“This game is in the beginning stages, graphics are great so far, the storyline is perfect, I have been engrossed since I started!”
“Changing graphical settings does not actually work in the game, and I can't get it to maintain a tolerable frame rate.”
“The art style is not what I would expect from a Warhammer title, but frankly it really works for me. The units look great, they have some pretty neat animations and poses, and Cataphractii Terminators with dual lightning claws are just cool as heck.”
- music5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate its ability to capture the atmosphere and feel of the Warhammer universe, others find it lacking and not fully complementing the game's otherwise immersive environment. Overall, it is seen as a highlight for some, but a disappointment for others.
“Spent the 7 minutes of playtime just staring at my desktop and listening to the title music.”
“Nice music, by the way; it's really good and captures a bit of the 30k feel.”
“For a Warhammer title, I'm currently missing details on the models and epic atmosphere with good background music.”
“Spent 7 minutes of playtime just staring at my desktop and listening to the title music.”
“The music and sounds are... meh, which really does not do the otherwise great atmosphere of the ruined streets of Calth any justice.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is considered adequate for a regular title, but there are notable areas for improvement, particularly in animations, textures, and overall system performance. Users feel that further optimizations and quality of life enhancements are necessary for a smoother experience.
“For a regular game, it is okay and looks like it has a bit further to go, including animation improvements, optimizations, and quality of life control improvements.”
“Looks good but is hard on the system at the moment; it needs some optimization and work on the textures.”
“For a regular game, it is okay and looks like it has a bit further to go (animation improvements, optimizations, quality of life control improvements).”
“Looks good but hard on the system at the moment; it needs some optimization and work on the textures.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is generally praised for its depiction of the ruined streets of Calth, but it falls short due to a lack of detailed models and subpar background music and sound effects, which detract from the overall experience.
“For a Warhammer title, I'm currently missing details on the models and the epic atmosphere, complemented by good background music.”
“The music and sounds are underwhelming, which really does not do the otherwise great atmosphere of the ruined streets of Calth any justice.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players have reported that technical issues, such as janky movement and teleportation glitches, detracted from their emotional experience, leading to feelings of frustration and discomfort during gameplay.
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users generally find the replayability of the game to be high, citing multiple branching storylines, diverse character choices, and various difficulty levels that encourage multiple playthroughs. Additionally, the inclusion of unlockable content and achievements further enhances the incentive to revisit the game. Overall, players appreciate the depth and variety that keep the experience fresh with each session.
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report experiencing occasional glitches, including image blurring and shaking, which may be related to VR sensor calibration issues. Overall, stability appears to be inconsistent but may vary based on individual setup.
“It has some glitches; sometimes the image blurs or shakes, as if it needs to refocus. However, my calibration of the VR sensors might be the issue.”
“The game frequently crashes, making it frustrating to progress.”
“I experienced several instances of lag that disrupted the gameplay experience.”
