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Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector

Battlesector may attempt to give Space Marines a human face, but the game ends up being an incomplete suit of power armor.
Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector Game Cover
85%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, optimization
86% User Score Based on 3,824 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SPCCloudPlaystation 4Xbox OneXboxNVIDIA GeForce NOWSteam DeckWindowsPlayStation
Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector Game Cover

About

Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector is a single player and multiplayer tactical turn-based strategy game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Slitherine Ltd. and was released on July 22, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war. Experience every bone-rattling explosion and soul-crushing charge in Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector, the definitve battle-scale game of turn-based strategy and fast-paced combat that takes you to the battlefields of the 41st Millenium.

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86%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,824 reviews
story255 positive mentions
grinding31 negative mentions

  • Great take on Warhammer 40k, capturing the tabletop experience well.
  • Engaging campaign with a good storyline and character development.
  • Fun tactical gameplay with a variety of units and strategies.
  • Predatory microtransactions for additional factions and content.
  • Repetitive mission objectives and slow enemy turn animations.
  • Limited factions in the base game, requiring expensive DLC for full experience.
  • story
    1,145 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector" is generally viewed as functional but lacking depth, serving primarily to justify the gameplay rather than offering a compelling narrative. While the campaign features engaging voice acting and a familiar 40k atmosphere, many players find the mission structure repetitive, often culminating in the same objective of eliminating all enemies after completing primary tasks. Overall, the game provides a decent introduction to the lore and characters of the Blood Angels, but it suffers from a lack of variety and depth in its storytelling, leaving players wanting more substantial content and additional campaigns for other factions.

    • “The story is intriguing, but there's not a great deal of it.”
    • “The story explores themes of honor, sacrifice, and the struggle to maintain humanity against monstrous enemies.”
    • “The campaign tells a very good story over the course of about 20 missions.”
    • “The story is framed in traditional space marine fashion—ritualistic, grim, and steeped in devotion to duty—yet it remains accessible even to players with limited familiarity with the franchise.”
    • “The campaign, while lengthy and varied in both mission structure and unit types, offers nothing more than static painting and slowly delivered lines of lore and generic military talk—and not even during the mission, only before and after!”
    • “The story is very much a 40k story and keeps the game moving in a nice way, and the voice acting is very very good.”
  • gameplay
    583 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Battlesector has received mixed reviews, with many praising its tactical depth and mechanics that closely resemble the Warhammer 40,000 tabletop experience. Players appreciate the turn-based combat, unit variety, and the innovative momentum system that encourages aggressive play, though some criticize the repetitive nature of missions and the limited faction selection. Overall, while the game offers a solid tactical experience, it may not fully satisfy those seeking the complexity and variety found in other strategy titles like Mechanicus.

    • “The gameplay is smooth and intuitive, the best I've ever seen in a turn-based computer game.”
    • “The gameplay is enjoyable, weapons feel good and destructive, and the maps are a manageable size so battles don't take forever.”
    • “The gameplay is very solid, with a good amount of tactical depth and mechanics that respect the Warhammer lore.”
    • “A big chunk of the gameplay is spent nudging your units through chokepoints, tile by tile, just to finally stumble across the next enemies.”
    • “The gameplay is not a 1:1 analog of the tabletop game but more than any other 40k tactics game I've tried, it captures the feel of the game, and units work largely how you would expect them to and should be deployed in the same ways you might on the tabletop.”
    • “The gameplay is simple, but this is deceptive, for there are swathes of buffs, heals and actions that a unit can do in the game that adds a beautiful layer of complexity to it.”
  • graphics
    308 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many reviewers praising the detailed unit models and the overall aesthetic that captures the Warhammer 40k universe effectively. While some players noted that the visuals can feel dated or lack polish in certain areas, the vibrant art style and immersive sound design contribute to a visually appealing experience. Overall, the graphics are considered solid, enhancing the gameplay despite some performance issues and occasional graphical glitches.

    • “The stunning visuals, detailed unit designs, and immersive sound effects bring the grimdark Warhammer 40k universe to life in an engaging way.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the mechanics are excellent, and the controls are intuitive.”
    • “The graphics and art style are gorgeous, and it is obvious the amount of work and detail the devs have put into it.”
    • “Graphics: a setting that is supposed to be dark and grim that is absolutely saturated in pastel colors.”
    • “Even lowering all graphical settings, the frames would stutter any time the camera moves.”
    • “The title screen isn’t the only thing that looks dated either – the in-game graphics do too: even on the highest settings, they look like something out of Dawn of War – currently approaching its 20th birthday.”
  • music
    107 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its atmospheric and thematic fit for the Warhammer 40k universe, highlighting its dark, gothic, and orchestral elements. However, many also find the soundtrack repetitive and underwhelming, with a few standout tracks that fail to leave a lasting impression. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the game's ambiance, it does not consistently meet the high expectations set by previous titles in the franchise.

    • “The music; the theme; the dark, gothic, industrial feel that gives you the vivid impression of what the 40k world must have been like.”
    • “The sound design is outstanding, with lots of meaty carnage, guttural screams, and heavy gunfire against a backdrop of space-gothic music and suitably melodramatic vocal performances.”
    • “Propelled by great voice acting, an amazing soundtrack, and good sound design, the game manages to create a great atmosphere as you play through the 10-12 hour campaign.”
    • “The music is flat and totally forgettable.”
    • “The soundtrack is a bit underwhelming, but I put on 'Enemy of My Enemy' from MW2, and beat two Tyranofexes to death with a power hammer and power fists.”
    • “Also, the music score is quite flat and generic, which is a bit unfortunate because most of its predecessors had pretty distinct and epic sound scores.”
  • replayability
    78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the strategic depth offered by unit upgrades, diverse factions, and various game modes like skirmish and multiplayer, which enhance replay value. However, some reviewers criticize the limited content in the single-player campaign and the linear nature of missions, leading to a perception of low long-term replayability. Overall, while there are enjoyable elements that can extend playtime, the lack of diverse campaigns and playable factions is a significant drawback for many players.

    • “Between missions, players can upgrade units, unlock new abilities, and customize army composition, which adds strategic depth and replayability.”
    • “The campaign offers a challenging and dynamic experience, while multiplayer options add significant replayability.”
    • “Now with most launch issues solved and replayable game modes added + the faction DLCs, this is a solid game for any tactical fan and a must-play for all Warhammer fans.”
    • “The game itself is lacking in content for campaigns and things of that nature; most of the gameplay and replayability will come from the secondary game types.”
    • “Sadly, this game only has like 17 story missions and has 0 replayability, but what is there is done well.”
    • “The only major problem is the lack of replayability, so you may want to wait until it's on sale.”
  • grinding
    35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and slow, with many players expressing frustration over repetitive missions that often require players to eliminate all remaining enemies after completing primary objectives. This leads to prolonged and monotonous gameplay, compounded by poor design choices such as slow animations and cumbersome unit controls. Overall, while the game has potential, the grinding elements detract significantly from the overall enjoyment, making it feel more like a chore than a fun experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “What does is the boring and extremely tedious missions in the single-player campaign.”
    • “The game isn't very challenging, and it's hamstrung by a number of bad design decisions, of which by far the worst offender is the fact that after every objective in a mission is complete you are forced to do a tedious mop-up of all remaining enemies in the level (sometimes they are out of sight and it takes ages to find them).”
    • “Unfortunately, in addition to the very limited objective types, every mission is marred by the fact that you're required to completely wipe out the enemy to finish, which makes the game incredibly tedious.”
  • optimization
    35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting performance issues, particularly on lower-end PCs and even high-end rigs. Complaints include slow gameplay, AI stuttering, and overheating graphics cards, indicating that the game is not well-optimized across various hardware configurations. While some users have experienced stable performance, the consensus suggests that optimization needs considerable improvement to enhance the overall gaming experience.

    • “The models look fantastic and haven't had any performance issues (running an i5 and 4060ti).”
    • “Besides frame-rate performance, this game plays perfectly well on Steam Deck as well.”
    • “I generally can't play turn-based games because they're too slow, but this one is optimized and really fast.”
    • “Honestly, it'd be really nice; but the turns take forever due to bad AI stuttering.”
    • “Good game, but not optimized for low-end PCs.”
    • “My biggest complaint is that the game lacks optimization at almost every level, from the menu screens to battle controls.”
  • atmosphere
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its faithful representation of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, characterized by a grimdark aesthetic, immersive sound design, and strong voice acting. Reviewers highlight the effective use of music and visuals to create a compelling and brutal environment that resonates with fans of the franchise. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of the 40k lore, enhancing the strategic gameplay experience.

    • “A faithfully grim world: the game captures the dark and brutal atmosphere of Warhammer 40,000 perfectly.”
    • “The voice acting and grimdark atmosphere are a love letter to fans of the Warhammer universe.”
    • “Propelled by great voice acting, an amazing soundtrack, and good sound design, the game manages to create a great atmosphere as you play through the 10-12 hour campaign.”
    • “Bad story/atmosphere (compared to Mechanicus).”
    • “What a great game we have here, being an old Warhammer 40k fan and having played almost every possible PC game from the franchise, I have to say that this one here grasps all the atmosphere of the dark grim lore of the 40k world.”
    • “In this extraordinary soup you can find great intricate graphics, excellent animations, passable sound effects; the story is there, and definitely the grimdark Warhammer 40k atmosphere.”
  • stability
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed, with many users reporting minor bugs and glitches, particularly in the DLC and tutorial sections, such as freezing, audio issues, and a buggy server list. However, several players noted that the core gameplay runs smoothly and is enjoyable, with some experiencing no significant issues at all. While the game shows promise and is fun to play, potential buyers may want to wait for patches or sales to address the existing stability concerns.

    • “It's well made, looks great, and plays very well. It also runs great.”
    • “Best of all - so far no glitches, bugs, or crashes.”
    • “For a small Aussie dev team, the product is polished, bug-free, and fun.”
    • “Can't rejoin a lobby, can't invite friends to the match, have to scroll through a buggy server list where one guy apparently is hosting 12 lobbies at the same time.”
    • “The loader just freezes.”
    • “Only negative I have with the game so far is that I found the tutorial a bit buggy and had to restart a couple of times to progress to the end.”
  • monetization
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model in this game has been widely criticized as predatory and a blatant cash grab, with players expressing frustration over the high costs of additional factions and content that lack meaningful additions, such as campaigns. Many reviews highlight the mandatory advertisements and the feeling that the game is designed primarily to extract more money from players rather than provide a complete experience. Overall, the monetization practices have significantly detracted from the enjoyment of the game for many users.

    • “Unfortunately, as with most Warhammer games, the predatory microtransactions required just to play other factions are present here as well.”
    • “It's a cash grab worse than the Primaris expansion for Gladius, because at least with Gladius they did a bunch of unique factions before they added new Space Marine stuff.”
    • “Game and updates turned into a cash grab milking process.”
  • humor
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of absurd animations and quirky mechanics, such as units behaving in hilariously exaggerated ways during combat. Players find the combination of serious tactical gameplay with comical elements, like the amusingly animated models and the antics of the "death company," to be entertaining. Overall, the game's humor adds a lighthearted touch to the tactical experience, despite some bugs that contribute to its comedic charm.

    • “It’s a funny mix of the battle system in Civilization and XCOM, while still doing its own thing.”
    • “The models look good but are hilariously stupidly animated and implemented.”
    • “Also found it hilarious the landspeeder in this game is just as bad as the one on the tabletop lol.”
  • emotional
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is largely criticized, with reviewers noting a lack of depth in the narrative and character development, which diminishes emotional investment in battles. The cutscenes and dialogue, while voiced, fail to evoke strong feelings, and the inability to form attachments to units further detracts from the emotional experience. Overall, players find the game lacking in emotional resonance.

  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers a sense of commanding a full battalion, complemented by decent character development that enhances the overall experience compared to other titles.

    • “Unlike the other two games I mentioned, this one gives you the feeling of commanding a full battalion and has some decent character development.”
    • “Unlike the other two games I mentioned, this one gives you the feeling of commanding a full battalion, but the character development is only decent at best.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks the depth needed to truly engage with the characters.”
    • “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, making it hard to connect with them on any meaningful level.”
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25h Median play time
91h Average play time
10-70h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 19 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector is a tactical turn-based strategy game with science fiction theme.

Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and others.

On average players spend around 91 hours playing Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector.

Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector was released on July 22, 2021.

Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector was developed by Slitherine Ltd..

Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Warhammer 40,000: Sanctus Reach, Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War, Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin, Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2, Space Hulk and others.