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

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,418 reviews

gameplay1,498 positive mentions

grinding101 negative mentions

gameplay
4,470 mentions
34 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus" is generally praised for its engaging turn-based tactical mechanics, which allow players to control a squad of tech-priests from the Adeptus Mechanicus faction against the Necron threat. While the game offers a unique action point system that eliminates traditional hit chances, many players note that the gameplay can become repetitive and overly simplistic as the game progresses, leading to a lack of challenge in the later stages. Overall, it successfully captures the atmosphere and lore of the Warhammer 40K universe, making it a solid choice for fans of the franchise and turn-based strategy games alike.
- “The gameplay is simple yet engaging, with combat encounters lasting 5–10 minutes, making it easy to play in short bursts.”
- “Mechanicus is a solid strategy game in the style of the xcom series - it combines turn-based gameplay with the lore-rich world of the warhammer 40,000 setting.”
- “The gameplay focuses on the adeptus mechanicus (no space marines here) and it's a nice turn-based squad game.”
- “A clear love for the setting and the characters cannot overcome the shallow and repetitive nature of the gameplay loop.”
- “Terribly barebones gameplay, with extremely samey maps, missions, objectives.”
- “The gameplay gets a bit samey towards the end; the difficulty is hard at first, then suddenly quite easy.”
story
3,658 mentions
18 % positive mentions
78 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of *Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus* is generally well-received, particularly among fans of the Warhammer 40k universe, as it effectively captures the lore and atmosphere of the Adeptus Mechanicus and Necron factions. While the narrative is straightforward and often delivered through text, it features engaging character interactions and choices that can influence mission outcomes, adding depth to the gameplay. However, some players find the missions repetitive and the overall story lacking in complexity, with many missions ultimately boiling down to combat objectives.
- “The story is definitely written by Ben Counter, which means it's pretty cheesy thus far, but it actually really works extremely well with the vibe of the game, because the game itself is sort of a mashup of several other games that would also be kind of cheesy in a non-Warhammer game.”
- “The lore and story aren't really showing in this game but the voice acting is phenomenal and so is the soundtrack.”
- “The story is well done, the characters are interesting, graphically great, overall a good game.”
- “The story definitely isn't the focus of the game; there's some lore and good quotes, but nothing more than that.”
- “The game gets really dull later on; the missions are pretty much the same throughout the entire game, just the same set of objectives over and over again.”
- “The story is predictable, and the dialogue between missions drags on with endless, pointless chatter.”
music
2,543 mentions
63 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in "Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus" has received widespread acclaim for its exceptional quality and atmospheric depth, blending elements of gothic organ music with electronic and industrial sounds. Reviewers frequently highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, enhancing the game's immersive experience and perfectly complementing its grimdark aesthetic. Many players express a desire to listen to the soundtrack outside of the game, indicating its lasting impact and appeal.
- “The music in particular is outstanding.”
- “The soundtrack is perfect - and I don't say that lightly.”
- “The soundtrack is an absolute joy to hear during battles.”
- “Unfortunately, the game doesn't live up to the quality that was put into the music.”
- “I feel like I'm hearing the same damn organ song for every map and I might be the grumpiest about that.”
- “The soundtrack, although great, gets repetitive quickly.”
graphics
917 mentions
52 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus" receive mixed reviews, with many praising the game's atmospheric art style and attention to detail that effectively captures the grimdark essence of the Warhammer universe. While some players find the visuals to be solid and fitting for a turn-based strategy game, others note that they are not groundbreaking and can feel simplistic or dated, especially for a 2018 release. Overall, the aesthetic, sound design, and music are frequently highlighted as standout features that enhance the immersive experience, even if the graphics themselves are not the primary draw.
- “The graphics are stunning, capturing the grimdark essence of the Warhammer universe perfectly.”
- “The visuals are atmospheric, the music is spectacular, the story, while a little bare bones, does an excellent job of representing my favorite factions in 40k.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, the difficulty curve is just right, and it doesn't take that much hardware to have a smooth experience.”
- “Graphics are kinda shit for a 2018 game and you should probably get it on sale, but it's fun so far.”
- “The graphics are simplistic and the identification icons are inanimate 2D illustrations.”
- “The graphics are pretty mediocre, you'll realize after a while that there's only a finite number of maps and each mission loads one of the maps, so sometimes you'll often see the same map multiple times.”
atmosphere
816 mentions
71 % positive mentions
28 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus" is widely praised for its immersive and richly detailed representation of the 40k universe, enhanced by a haunting soundtrack and atmospheric sound design. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke the grimdark aesthetic of the Adeptus Mechanicus and Necron lore, with many noting that the music and audio elements significantly contribute to the overall experience. Overall, the game is recognized for its exceptional atmosphere, making it a standout title for fans of the franchise.
- “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 atmosphere, lore, and soundtrack are incredible.”
- “The atmosphere is fantastic, combining sombre chants with synths that help to draw you into the tomb exploration.”
- “The atmosphere of this game scared me worse than Amnesia.”
- “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.”
- “It has no atmosphere in my opinion.”
replayability
253 mentions
30 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the variety of customization options, different builds, and branching paths that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, some reviewers noted limitations due to linear progression, fixed mission orders, and a lack of new game modes, which can diminish the overall replay value. Overall, while there is potential for replayability through varied strategies and achievements, some players feel it may not sustain long-term interest.
- “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.”
- “All of the above joint with the fact that all of the dungeons are scripted makes Mechanicus primarily a one-time experience with very limited replayability.”
- “The main minus for me was too easy late-game and too low replayability after I finished the main campaign; also, playing around the clock (necrons are waking as you play longer through missions) is kind of a frustrating thing at the beginning.”
- “The game doesn't have the same kind of replay value as XCOM or XCOM 2 (the new ones).”
grinding
108 mentions
3 % positive mentions
4 % neutral mentions
94 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that grinding is a significant and often tedious aspect of the game, with many players expressing frustration over repetitive combat and the lack of options to speed up gameplay. While some find the progression rewarding, especially in the early game, the latter stages tend to devolve into a monotonous grind, making the experience feel less engaging. Overall, the grinding mechanics detract from the enjoyment, leading to a mixed reception regarding the game's pacing and challenge.
- “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.”
- “The tedious amount of grind makes this game score a bit lower on my side.”
- “Terrible, boring grind to complete the game with no way to make this tedious task faster like turn skipping or animation skipping.”
- “The gameplay does become tedious in the latter half of the game; the campaign needed to be shorter to encourage multiple playthroughs.”
humor
106 mentions
99 % positive mentions
-2 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by clever, dry wit and a blend of dark comedy, often delivered through the quirky dialogue of its characters, particularly the tech-priests. Players appreciate the game's ability to balance serious themes with absurdity, resulting in memorable moments and interactions that evoke laughter without feeling forced. Overall, the humor enhances the experience, making it enjoyable for both fans of the Warhammer 40k universe and newcomers alike.
- “Its systems and storytelling are incredibly rich—I spent over 10 hours on my first day playing, with memorable moments like hilariously leaving kids on a sinking ship, which made an entire town hate me.”
- “The game also has a subtle but great sense of humor; it never tries too hard to make you laugh, but it's just clever and not forced. It's clear the characters are taking things seriously, but it leads to some of them being funny by their mannerisms and the way they talk.”
- “The writing from Ben Counter is very good and full of many arch moments that made me burst out laughing throughout the game.”
- “The humor in this game feels forced and falls flat, making it more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
- “The jokes are stale and predictable, lacking any real wit or creativity.”
- “The attempts at humor often miss the mark, leaving players feeling more confused than amused.”
stability
92 mentions
10 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
90 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting minor bugs and glitches that do not significantly impact gameplay. While some users experienced game-breaking issues, most found the game to be playable with only occasional visual glitches and UI problems. The developers have made progress in addressing these issues, but a number of players still encounter frustrating bugs that can detract from the overall experience.
- “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.”
- “Almost bug free game at release.”
- “Games way too buggy to recommend.”
- “Still way too many bugs and glitches after all this time.”
- “Currently very buggy and you'll frequently end up having to restart the game to progress, so make sure to save often.”
optimization
78 mentions
19 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
22 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance on lower settings and specific hardware, while others criticize it as poorly optimized, leading to significant performance issues, bugs, and frame drops. Many users report needing to adjust settings or apply workarounds to achieve smoother gameplay, indicating a lack of comprehensive optimization options. Overall, while some find the game enjoyable despite its flaws, the consensus leans towards a need for further optimization and polish.
- “The optimization is impressive, with no noticeable lag or frame drops, on low-to-mid settings with 60fps consistently.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “Performance is horrible and sometimes the game takes ages to actually process what is happening (do not kill a unit right before their turn, you will be looking at nothing waiting for something to happen for the next minute).”
- “Reinstalled in 2022 and performance is atrocious.”
monetization
41 mentions
7 % positive mentions
10 % neutral mentions
83 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of this game has been positively received, with many 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 was crafted with care and passion rather than solely for profit. Overall, it stands out as a well-made product in a market often criticized for exploitative monetization practices.
- “Good writing, excellent music, and most importantly no predatory microtransactions.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “With the game being out for over a year with only 1 DLC, it's obvious that this game was made for a quick cash grab on Warhammer fans.”
emotional
29 mentions
97 % positive mentions
-7 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight a mixed emotional experience in the game, with some players feeling a deep connection to the mechanicus philosophy and the thrill of gameplay, while others criticize the portrayal of characters as overly human and emotional, which feels out of place in the lore. The game evokes a range of emotions, from joy and satisfaction to frustration, particularly due to its pacing and repetitive elements. Overall, while the emotional depth may vary, many players appreciate the immersive atmosphere and the sense of accomplishment it provides.
- “My emotional databanks register fury towards my cogitators whenever I see necrons now. 10/10”
- “But Mechanicus is the only soundtrack I have ever heard that made me feel technoreligious fervor.”
- “This game made me feel so good, thank you for the journey you offered me =)”
- “The story is boring and the fights are repetitive, taking place in disconnected rooms that lack any artistic inspiration, making them feel completely unhandcrafted.”
- “The emotional depth is lacking, leaving players feeling detached from the characters and their struggles.”
- “I found it hard to connect with the narrative; it felt more like a chore than an emotional journey.”
character development
28 mentions
46 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while the character designs and dialogue are praised for their quality and creativity, many reviewers note a lack of depth and progression in character arcs, with some characters feeling one-dimensional. The customization options and tactical gameplay provide a sense of growth, but overall, the narrative and character development are seen as underwhelming compared to other titles in the genre. Despite these shortcomings, the atmosphere and artistic elements contribute positively to the overall experience.
- “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.”