Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus

The provision of deep customization capabilities and an engaging narrative makes Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus a logical choice for aspiring tacticians of Holy Terra in M3.

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Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus is a turn-based strategy game that puts you in charge of the Adeptus Mechanicus, an elite army of the Imperium, on a mission to explore a recently discovered Necron planet. The game offers a unique blend of religious and technological themes, with an emphasis on customization and strategy. The Omnissiah Edition includes bonus content such as a soundtrack, digital artbook, and a short story.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,126 reviews

gameplay1,140 positive mentions

grinding72 negative mentions

gameplay
3,372 mentions
34 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus* has received mixed reviews, with many praising its unique mechanics, such as the cognition point system that allows for flexible action management, and its engaging turn-based tactical combat reminiscent of *XCOM*. However, players have noted that the game can become repetitive and overly easy as it progresses, with some mechanics feeling simplistic and lacking depth compared to other titles in the genre. Overall, while the game excels in atmosphere and lore representation, particularly for the Adeptus Mechanicus faction, its gameplay may not satisfy those seeking a more challenging or varied tactical experience.
- “The gameplay is engaging and, once you get a handle on the mechanics, provides a satisfying challenge without being overly difficult, especially on medium difficulty.”
- “The combat system is engaging and, once you get a handle on the mechanics, provides a satisfying challenge without being overly difficult, especially on medium difficulty.”
- “The gameplay focuses on the adeptus mechanicus (no space marines here) and it's a nice turn based squad game.”
- “The core loop is boring, mechanics are way too simple and not intertwined as they should be, and the combat is extremely linear for a turn-based game.”
- “Mechanicus doesn't actually add much to the already saturated genre of turn-based games; its mechanics barely scratch the surface of what this genre has to offer.”
- “The gameplay is so horribly simplified that combat has absolutely no depth to it - no hit/miss chances, no variable crit damage, no cover mechanics, very limited variety in enemies.”
story
2,703 mentions
18 % positive mentions
77 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story in "Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus" is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its adherence to the Warhammer 40K lore and the depth of character interactions among the tech-priests. However, the narrative is often described as straightforward and predictable, with a heavy reliance on text-based dialogue that can feel tedious, especially during missions. While the overarching plot is engaging, the repetitive mission objectives and lack of significant impact from player choices can detract from the overall experience, leading to a sense of monotony as players progress through the game.
- “You can tell the focus was on telling a good story.”
- “The story caught my interest as it was complex, multifaceted, logical, and emotive.”
- “The writing is surprisingly good, not story-wise (it's just Adeptus Mechanicus plundering a Necron tomb, what story can there possibly be anyway?), but each of the small cast of characters has different personality and their lines suit Adeptus Mechanicus as a faction very well.”
- “The story is predictable.”
- “Dialogue between missions drags on with endless, pointless chatter.”
- “Nothing you do really impacts the overall story.”
music
1,887 mentions
63 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in "Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its unique blend of gothic, industrial, and electronic elements that perfectly complement the game's atmosphere. The soundtrack is described as a standout feature, often considered one of the best in the Warhammer 40k franchise, enhancing the immersive experience and drawing players into the game's dark, mechanized world. While some players noted a lack of variety in tracks, the overall consensus is that the music significantly elevates the gameplay, making it a key reason to engage with the game.
- “The main reason this game knocks it out of the park is the brilliantly executed OST; it is absolutely and simply brilliant. Every track is a sonorous marvel that enhances the already atmospheric gameplay.”
- “The soundtrack alone is phenomenal, let alone the gameplay which runs like a roguelite XCOM game.”
- “The soundtrack is fantastic and really gives the game atmosphere, along with all the voices speaking binary.”
- “The only props this game is worthy of is the music; other than that, it's a 5/10 game at best.”
- “I feel like I'm hearing the same damn organ song for every map, and I might be the grumpiest about that.”
- “The music is basic, and using the cult mechanicus as a crutch, they removed all voiced dialogue from the game despite the fact that the tech priests of Mars are very much capable of talking and communicating with their voices.”
graphics
670 mentions
52 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the unique art style and atmospheric visuals that effectively capture the Warhammer 40k aesthetic. While some players noted that the graphics are not groundbreaking and can feel simplistic or outdated, they still contribute positively to the overall immersive experience, complemented by an exceptional soundtrack and sound design. Overall, the visuals are considered solid for a mid-budget title, successfully conveying the game's themes despite some repetitive elements in level design.
- “The atmosphere of the graphics is enveloping, detailed tombs with the green color being predominantly the main choice, enjoy the architecture of the necrons and their 60 million year old perilous world.”
- “The graphics are simply phenomenal, and the studio and developers did a fantastic job making sure that every aspect of the game stays as true to the Warhammer 40k franchise as possible.”
- “The visuals are nice, and fitting for the setting.”
- “The graphics are simplistic and the identification icons are inanimate 2D illustrations.”
- “Graphics are kinda shit for a 2018 game and you should probably get it on sale, but it's fun so far.”
- “The graphics, while lacking in some areas, are nice to look at.”
atmosphere
580 mentions
73 % positive mentions
26 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is universally praised, with many reviewers highlighting its immersive qualities that effectively capture the grimdark essence of the Warhammer 40k universe. The combination of a haunting soundtrack, detailed visuals, and engaging sound design creates a rich and enveloping experience that resonates deeply with fans of the lore. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its standout features, enhancing both gameplay and narrative engagement.
- “The atmosphere of the graphics is enveloping, detailed tombs with the green color being predominantly the main choice, enjoy the architecture of the necrons and their 60 million year old perilous world.”
- “From the moment you boot up the game, you're greeted by a haunting and atmospheric score that perfectly captures the grim, mechanical beauty of the 41st millennium.”
- “The atmosphere, lore, and soundtrack are fantastic and immerse you in the world; this was my first 40k game and it made me love the setting.”
- “It has no atmosphere in my opinion.”
- “The fact that this game isn't voice acted is a huge disappointment - I should have read up on it before buying the game, however it completely kills the atmosphere for me that I have read through all the dialogues in the game.”
- “40k fans will appreciate the oppressively gloomy setting, trappings, and atmosphere, while others might find it off-putting.”
replayability
198 mentions
31 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the variety of customization options, different tech-priest builds, and randomized campaign elements that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, some reviewers express concerns about the lack of significant content beyond the initial campaign, fixed mission orders, and a perceived ease in gameplay that diminishes long-term engagement. Overall, while there is potential for replayability through varied strategies and difficulty settings, many feel it falls short compared to other tactical games like XCOM.
- “The game has a lot of replayability as the missions are varied, the maps are random, you can't see all the content in a single playthrough, and your playstyle is highly customizable.”
- “The ability to tailor the difficulty in so many ways adds significant replay value, and the developers clearly love and understand the IP.”
- “Game has great replayability; I've already completed it twice but there are different scenarios, tactics, and loadouts out there for you to try.”
- “I guess this was supposed to promote replayability, but since I have no choice in what tech I get, it's just frustrating.”
- “All of the above, combined with the fact that all of the dungeons are scripted, makes Mechanicus primarily a one-time experience with very limited replayability.”
- “On a major issue I have with the game is the lack of replayability; when you reach the end of your playthrough, you cannot continue doing any missions.”
grinding
78 mentions
4 % positive mentions
4 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, particularly in the late game where players often feel compelled to engage in monotonous tasks to progress. Many reviewers noted a lack of options to speed up gameplay, such as skipping animations or dialogues, which exacerbates the feeling of slogging through content. While some players found the grind rewarding in terms of character development and strategy, the overall sentiment leans towards it being a burdensome experience that detracts from the enjoyment of the game.
- “The gameplay is fun and strategic but isn't too tedious and is simple enough to get a grip on very quickly.”
- “It's basically a not grindy SRPG with great atmosphere and great tech unlocks a la X-COM.”
- “And I accepted the mission as soon as I got it, so no grinding involved.”
- “Terrible tbh, boring grind to complete the game with no way to make this tedious task faster like turn skipping or animation skipping.”
- “These two issues combine into a tedious slog that the player has to endure if they wish to complete the game.”
- “The execution of this particular one was just... too much grinding and overly long levels.”
humor
76 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is consistently praised for its clever writing and deadpan delivery, often surprising players with its wit amidst the grimdark Warhammer 40k setting. Players enjoy the humorous interactions between characters, particularly the tech-priests, which add a lighthearted touch to the gameplay experience. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its narrative, making it both entertaining and engaging without taking itself too seriously.
- “There's a funny little guy in my computer.”
- “The dialogue is very well written with bits of humor thrown in.”
- “The writing is actually good and often carries a fair bit of humor.”
stability
74 mentions
9 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
91 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting various bugs and glitches, particularly with the user interface and visual elements. While some users experienced minimal issues and found the game largely playable, others encountered significant problems that affected gameplay, such as freezing, unresponsive UI, and game-breaking glitches. Overall, while the game shows potential, its stability issues detract from the experience for a considerable number of players.
- “I've had no noticeable software issues so far, and it runs great on my laptop!”
- “Pretty much bug free for me through an entire run through 40+ missions including the DLC, with the only hiccup being some of the later battles took a long time to save mid-battle and were doing some serious HD thrashing.”
- “Fresh, fun tactical combat system, close to bug free at launch.”
- “The game is in alpha stage, and I find it irresponsible that they decided to put such a buggy game on the market.”
- “Currently very buggy and you'll frequently end up having to restart the game to progress, so make sure to save often.”
- “This game does have quite a few bugs/glitches that do hinder gameplay however.”
optimization
60 mentions
15 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, lag, and high resource usage even on capable hardware. While some users noted that minor tweaks could improve performance, others described the game as feeling like a poorly optimized port from console to PC, lacking sufficient graphical settings and polish. Despite these concerns, a few players found the performance satisfactory, highlighting enjoyable gameplay and impressive graphics when running smoothly.
- “Incredibly impressed with the performance and graphics overall.”
- “Optimized very well, fun and addictive gameplay loop, amazing art direction and soundscape, friendly for newbies to 40k (but has a huge amount of lore for veterans), and awesome dialog between characters.”
- “Runs smoothly (no crashes or glitches) and intuitively.”
- “Feels like an unoptimized port from console to PC.”
- “The game is just outright unoptimized, and again unpolished, seeming like nothing has really changed from when they first revealed gameplay of it to days after release, stuff that should have been fixed for launch.”
- “Suboptimal optimization and a terrible lack of tweaking options do not help.”
monetization
32 mentions
9 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
88 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of this game is highly praised, with reviewers emphasizing that it is not a cash grab like many other Warhammer titles. Players appreciate the absence of microtransactions and the developers' commitment to quality, indicating that the game is a genuine labor of love rather than a quick profit scheme. Overall, it stands out as a well-crafted experience that respects the Warhammer 40k franchise.
- “The devs are extremely passionate about delivering a compelling atmosphere and aesthetic, and they're one of the few modern devs that have been given free reign to develop a 40k project on their own terms without a publisher pushing for DLC, loot crates, or microtransactions.”
- “No microtransactions.”
- “The game itself is in a complete state and no sign of microtransactions in sight, which is refreshing for a game under the 40k IP.”
- “To have a sense of pride and care about subject matter in gaming is a very rare thing these days with triple-A studios churning out bland and generic garbage with thousands of microtransactions to drain your wallet.”
- “There's a lot of trash, cash grab 40k games out there: this isn't one of them.”
- “Beautiful art direction, good portrayal of the IP... you can tell it's made by 40k fans and not just developers looking for a GW cash grab.”
emotional
23 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a range of feelings, from frustration and joy to a sense of technoreligious fervor, particularly through its engaging gameplay and atmospheric sound design. Players express a deep connection to the game's themes of wisdom and tradition, despite the challenge of investing emotionally in characters that are largely mechanized and bigoted. Overall, the game successfully balances emotional highs and lows, creating a rewarding experience that resonates with players, even as they navigate its tactical complexities.
- “8/10 would cry again after losing a mission I spent 50 minutes on lol”
- “My emotional cores are filled with joy and satisfaction and I choose to acknowledge them.”
- “But Mechanicus is the only soundtrack I have ever heard that made me feel technoreligious fervor.”
character development
22 mentions
50 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the depth and customization options for main units, many feel that overall character growth is limited and lacks personality. Dialogue and writing are often highlighted as strong points, providing some engaging interactions, but the absence of substantial story progression and character arcs leaves players wanting more. Overall, the game excels in atmosphere and design, but character development does not reach its full potential.
- “A solid game with a ton of atmosphere and interesting tactical battles as well as leveling up and character development.”
- “The writing for me is also a standout, with some really fleshed out dialogue and character development even though the characters are just a portrait.”
- “Feels like the 40k universe, dialogue is entertaining, gameplay is tactical, character development makes you feel powerful.”
- “The text conversations between the characters are pretty fun at first, but the characters are very one-note and there isn't anything like character development or much of a story.”
- “Great game at its core, but gameplay is poorly balanced and it gets progressively easier the more you play, even at the highest difficulty, and story/character development is barely there at all.”
- “It lacks in the character development department, as the units you control don't have personalities at all.”