The Horus Heresy: Legions

60%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,353 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
The Horus Heresy: Legions Game Cover
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Play as a warlord during a galactic civil war in the 31st Millennium in this fast-paced card game. Build a deck of cards to rally your Space Marines, call in orbital support and dominate the battlefield. Join a Lodge or raise your own to compete with thousands of other Lodges in fun, worldwide Events for awesome rewards.

  • iPad
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  • PC
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  • Windows
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

60%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,353 reviews
gameplay71 positive mentions
monetization22 negative mentions
  • The game captures the essence of the Warhammer 40k universe with unique mechanics for each faction.
  • It's free to play and offers a fair chance to earn cards without spending money, making it accessible for new players.
  • The developers are active and regularly update the game with new content and balance changes.
  • The game suffers from severe balance issues, with newer factions often overpowering older ones.
  • The monetization model is heavily criticized, with a battle pass system that limits free progression and encourages spending money.
  • The user interface is clunky and not very intuitive, making deck building and navigation frustrating.
  • gameplay237 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its unique mechanics and thematic representation of factions, akin to popular card games like Hearthstone. However, significant criticism revolves around balancing issues, pay-to-win mechanics, and a frustrating grind for cards, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some players appreciate the depth and variety of gameplay, others find it unbalanced and marred by monetization strategies that hinder accessibility and fun.

    • “The gameplay is fun and fast most of the time (5-10 minutes), so this is definitely one for people who want some quick games in.”
    • “The gameplay itself is fresh, with a lot of thematic takes on the different characters and legions of the Horus Heresy, and interesting game mechanics that I haven't seen done elsewhere that are also fun.”
    • “Each faction has a unique mechanic meant to suit a specific play-style.”
    • “Campaigns are a joke, offering insignificant rewards and incredibly boring and cheesy gameplay.”
    • “Great card gameplay let down by absolutely abysmal paywall mechanics and timed lockout mechanics which completely ruin what could have been a really enjoyable play in the evenings kind of game.”
    • “The gameplay is almost identical to Hearthstone with less production quality.”
  • story124 mentions

    The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of depth and engagement, with many players noting that the narrative is minimal and primarily limited to a brief tutorial on the Horus Heresy. While some appreciate the integration of familiar characters and events from the Warhammer lore, the overall consensus is that the story is overshadowed by a grindy gameplay structure and monetization strategies, leaving players feeling frustrated and disconnected from the narrative. Despite these shortcomings, a few players still find enjoyment in the campaign and events, which offer a glimpse into the Warhammer universe, albeit with significant limitations.

    • “What a beautiful story! Thanks to the game, you've made me understand what capitalism is, stupidity and greed at the same time in a company. Very good, applaud you, bravo!”
    • “I love playing this card game because it's based on Warhammer 40k, and the tutorial and campaign is actually the story of Isstvan III and the Horus Heresy!”
    • “If you enjoy Warhammer's Horus Heresy storyline, you will enjoy this game, especially if you are already into card games.”
    • “The story of the game is more basic than most 40k storylines (yes, technically this is '30k,' since the horus heresy takes place 10,000 years before 40k), and there is no moving art, comic drawings, or anything I would deem entertaining other than the gameplay.”
    • “There isn't much of a story going on; we have a very brief rehearsal of the opening hours of the heresy as a tutorial campaign, a paragraph or two of text explaining the setting for the current combat event, and that's pretty much it.”
    • “The new single-player story mode is pretty much garbage, suffers the same old RNG issues, and it doesn't bother to follow the lore at all.”
  • graphics75 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the artwork and aesthetic tied to the Warhammer 40k lore, while others criticize the overall quality as lacking depth and polish, often feeling like a mobile port. Many users express disappointment with the user interface and graphical glitches, suggesting that the visuals do not meet the expectations for a game set in such a rich universe. Overall, while the artwork has its highlights, many feel it falls short of the iconic standards associated with the franchise.

    • “I find the graphics pretty though.”
    • “The artwork and detail is great in my opinion and it's a simple way of learning all the different factions, primarchs, astartes, infantry, vehicles, and so on along with the tactics used.”
    • “Fantastic and classic artwork, good gameplay and very well integrated into the lore of the Horus Heresy in the 40k universe.”
    • “The graphics lack any soul... I mean they tried, but not that hard.”
    • “I've been playing it only because I'm a 40k fan and love the story; but man, those graphics and most of the drawings are terrible - typical amateur work and definitely not the product you want to pay for.”
    • “The graphics on both the card UX and the background really suck, they distract heavily from the mechanics.”
  • monetization50 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it as aggressive and predatory, particularly following the introduction of a battle pass system that offers limited rewards compared to previous methods. While some users appreciate the ability to earn cards through gameplay, the overall sentiment reflects frustration over the increasing reliance on in-app purchases and the perception that the game prioritizes profit over player experience. Many reviewers warn new players to avoid the game due to its exploitative monetization practices.

    • “While the monetization can seem daunting, you can also just play and pick up 3 free random cards/items every 5 hours while using your coin winnings for a selection of 5 from a pool of other expansions.”
    • “Being a long-time Hearthstone player, I can tell you monetization is much more fair here.”
    • “It's free-to-play, and although there are in-game purchases, you don't actually need to buy anything to get cards, since the game gives you crates constantly.”
    • “This game is receiving less support from the developers since the release of Warpforge, which has led to increasingly aggressive monetization.”
    • “The latest update really ruined this for me... a game with an amazing grind system got reduced through greed into another cash grab hiding behind a bloody 20 euro 'premium' wall.”
    • “Further exploring the depths of this aggressive monetization, they replaced the daily challenge and login crates with a battle pass that produces a fraction of the free rewards the old system used to offer, making it even more difficult for casual players to field a competitive collection of cards as now they will have to invest a considerable amount more time to collect cards, gold, tickets, and gems compared to the previous system (unless you want to pay lots of money, of course!).”
  • grinding50 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly for new players trying to build competitive decks. While some users note that a little grinding can yield rewards, the overall sentiment leans towards the game being pay-to-win, as significant progress often requires either substantial time investment or monetary expenditure. Recent updates have exacerbated these issues, making the grind feel even more daunting and less rewarding.

    • “Eg's practices when it comes to building a card collection make it nearly impossible for incoming players to create a competitively viable deck without either spending a disproportionate amount of money or grinding for an ungodly amount of time.”
    • “Unless you are willing to be a slave to grinding the minimal amount of currency the game provides to buy random card packs, stay away from this game.”
    • “Worst element of the game: the grinding required to unlock cards and content without spending money on the game.”
  • music20 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it repetitive and lacking in variety, particularly during battles where only a few tracks are used. While some appreciate the background music for its ability to evoke the Warhammer 40k atmosphere, others criticize its low audio quality and suggest that it feels underwhelming compared to other titles in the genre. Overall, players often prefer to mute the game and listen to their own music instead.

    • “The soundtrack is amazing.”
    • “The one battle music that plays in every match is also pretty good at setting that 40k (well, 30k) mood.”
    • “Its not the best card game ever but a lot of love and effort was put into this game, its very true to the warhammer lore and characters, lots of voice acting and references, the background music is ok I guess, but anyway fans of warhammer like me will love this game!”
    • “The music is not great and often the same during battles, which feels repetitive.”
    • “The title says Warhammer 40k, the unit names and looks somewhat correspond to those from the lore, but the art style and music within the game feel heretically half-baked, undeserving to be called 40k.”
    • “The music consists of 2 tracks that are both boring quickly, again probably because of its mobile nature.”
  • stability10 mentions

    The game's stability is heavily criticized, with frequent crashes, long freezes, and various graphical glitches reported by users. Many players express frustration over the buggy interface and overall lack of polish, particularly following recent updates, which have exacerbated existing issues. While connection problems are less common, the overall experience is marred by instability and a perceived decline in quality.

    • “Crashes and eight minute long freezes are common, and have cost me multiple games, some of which were in events.”
    • “The game is still as buggy as ever, it crashes often, and worst of all the way you acquire cards has actually gotten worse.”
    • “Tl;dr new update is very buggy and a greedy move in my opinion.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The humor in the game is noted for its absurdity, particularly in the context of the pay-to-win system and the chaotic elements like Garviel Loken's deck. Players find both comedic and frustrating moments in gameplay, especially when facing the Alpha Legion's strategic tactics. Additionally, the voice command feature can lead to amusing interactions, enhancing the overall comedic experience.

    • “The recent addition of Alpha Legion is 100% dead on true to how they strategize in the lore (espionage and subterfuge) and it's at times equal parts hilarious and frustrating to play against them.”
    • “8.7/10 due to graphics - the voice commands can be sequenced to form full paragraphs, which can be hilarious if you find the right player that complements the voice action.”
    • “I have run into so many disconnects it is funny; I checked my internet every time and it was just fine.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The game suffers from significant optimization issues on PC, with users reporting clunky performance and frequent stuttering, even on capable hardware. Given the small development team, expectations for performance should be tempered compared to larger titles like Hearthstone.

    • “You also get tickets from card packs, which you can use to enter the bi-weekly events to earn additional rewards based on your performance in a 12 wins or 3 losses system, similar to Hearthstone's Arena.”
    • “There's a small team behind this game, so don't expect a Hearthstone (Blizzard) level of performance from it.”
    • “This game is poorly optimized for PC.”
    • “It is very clunky and I run into a lot of stuttering. My PC runs Total War: Warhammer just fine (on medium-high), but hey, whatever.”
    • “There's a small team behind this game, so don't expect a Hearthstone (Blizzard) performance from it.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Players appreciate the variety of playable characters and cards, including popular chapters and primarchs, which enhances replayability. However, there is a desire for more single-player content, such as a campaign or solo mode, to allow players to experiment with different decks and strategies.

    • “Most of the more popular chapters and primarchs are playable.”
    • “It could use more single-player campaigns or a replayable campaign or solo mode so players can test new decks or experiment with different strategies.”
    • “There are also empire and chaos cards that are playable from everyone... and this is where lies the problem.”
    • “It could use more single-player campaign content or just something for players to get a better grasp on things first, or a replayable campaign or solo mode so players can test new decks or toy with things.”
    • “Many of the leading characters are playable as warlords or as troop cards.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its encouragement of player independence and the deep connection to the Warhammer universe, evoking feelings of nostalgia and mourning. Players appreciate the immersive storytelling and the weight of the lore, contrasting it with the pressure of monetization in other games like Hearthstone.

    • “It feels like touching the origin, the great beginning of the Warhammer universe, immense and mourning.”
    • “There's not much handholding in the game after the first few missions; you learn the game mechanics, which really encourages independence, something that many people these days lack, both intellectually and emotionally, but not us gamers.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by immersive sound effects and art that effectively contribute to the overall experience without becoming distracting.

    • “The sound effects and art create an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience without being distracting.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is incredibly engaging, drawing you into its world with every detail.”
    • “The combination of music and visuals establishes a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that lingers long after playing.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

530hMedian play time
890hAverage play time
200-2654hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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