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.

85%Game Brain Score

gameplay, story

grinding, stability

92% User Score Based on 18,836 reviews

Critic Score 77%Based on 26 reviews

Platforms

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About

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

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 18,862 reviews

gameplay3k positive mentions

grinding202 negative mentions

gameplay
8,957 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
63%
3%
The gameplay of *Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus* has received mixed reviews, with many praising its unique mechanics and engaging turn-based combat reminiscent of the *XCOM* series, but also noting its simplicity and repetitiveness over time. Players appreciate the absence of RNG in combat, allowing for strategic planning, while the shared action point system adds a layer of resource management. However, some criticize the game for lacking depth and variety, particularly in mission design and enemy encounters, leading to a sense of ease and predictability in later stages. Overall, it is seen as a solid entry for fans of the *Warhammer 40K* universe, especially those interested in the Adeptus Mechanicus faction.
- “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 turn-based strategy game in the vein of XCOM, with a unique twist on action economy that allows for a variety of tactical choices.”
- “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.”
- “Gameplay can feel repetitive and past a certain point your tech-priests can speedrun any battles.”
story
7,319 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
78%
4%
The story in "Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus" is generally well-received, particularly for its engaging dialogue and character interactions that reflect the lore of the Warhammer 40K universe. Players appreciate the depth of the narrative, which revolves around the Adeptus Mechanicus exploring Necron tombs, though some find the plot straightforward and repetitive, with many missions ultimately boiling down to "kill all enemies." The game's unique mechanics, such as the awakening meter that adds urgency to mission completion, enhance the storytelling experience, but the lack of variety in mission objectives can lead to a sense of monotony as players progress.
- “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 are very good, it feels engaging and I actually cared for the dialogue options.”
- “The story, as told through the dialogue between the various tech-priests, is great.”
- “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
5,086 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
36%
1%
The music in "Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus" has received widespread acclaim for its unique blend of gothic organ, electronic elements, and choral chanting, creating an atmospheric and immersive experience that perfectly complements the game's setting. Many players highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, often describing it as one of the best in any video game, with some even purchasing it separately to enjoy outside of gameplay. While the music enhances the overall experience, some reviewers noted that the limited number of tracks can lead to repetition during extended play sessions.
- “The music in particular is outstanding.”
- “The soundtrack is perfect - and I don't say that lightly.”
- “The soundtrack alone is worth it.”
- “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 is also fitting for an adeptus mechanicus driven game with its space organ music, however it gets very same-y and you stop paying much attention to it after a while.”
graphics
1,835 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
45%
3%
The graphics of "Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus" have received mixed feedback from players. Many appreciate the game's atmospheric visuals and art style, which effectively capture the grimdark essence of the Warhammer universe, with some even rating the graphics as high as 9/10. However, others note that while the graphics are serviceable and fitting for the game's aesthetic, they are not groundbreaking and can feel simplistic or dated, especially for a game released in 2018. Overall, the visuals are generally seen as a strong complement to the game's immersive sound design and engaging gameplay.
- “The graphics are stunning, capturing the grimdark essence of the Warhammer universe perfectly.”
- “The visuals in Mechanicus are a sight to behold.”
- “The dark and brooding aesthetic perfectly captures the essence of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, immersing players in a visually stunning 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
1,635 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
28%
1%
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 effective sound design. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a grimdark ambiance through its visuals, character interactions, and thematic elements, making it a standout experience for fans of the franchise. Overall, the combination of atmospheric music, engaging lore, and compelling aesthetics creates a captivating environment that draws players into the world of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
- “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 fantastic and immerse you in the world; this was my first 40k game and it made me love the setting.”
- “The atmosphere is incredible, enhanced by some truly exquisite sound design.”
- “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.”
- “The looks/sound/atmosphere of the game are the only saving grace, everything else is trash.”
replayability
509 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
63%
7%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the variety of customization options, 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 different strategies and challenges, some players feel it may not sustain long-term interest.
- “The sense of discovery and anticipation is palpable, and the branching paths and choices provide replayability and a sense of agency, immersing players further into the game's rich narrative.”
- “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.”
- “Game has great replayability; I've already completed it twice but there are different scenarios, tactics, and loadouts out there for you to try.”
- “The replayability is just not there.”
- “All of the above joint with the fact that all of the dungeons are scripted makes mechanicus primarily a one-time experience with a very limited replayability.”
- “On 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, i found that i never even encountered some enemy and weapon types simple because i couldn’t finish all the mission in time.”
grinding
216 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
3%
94%
The grinding aspect of the game has received significant criticism, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, especially in the late game. While some enjoy the strategic elements and character progression, the lack of options to speed up gameplay and the overwhelming amount of grinding required to complete missions detracts from the overall experience. Overall, players feel that the grind can turn enjoyable gameplay into a slog, making it a major point of contention.
- “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
212 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in the game is characterized by clever, dry wit and a playful take on its grimdark setting, often delivered through the quirky banter of characters like the tech-priests. Players appreciate the subtlety of the humor, which feels organic rather than forced, and enjoy moments of absurdity, such as hilariously overpowered combat scenarios and amusing dialogue that reflects the game's unique lore. Overall, the writing is praised for its charm and ability to evoke laughter, making the experience both entertaining and engaging.
- “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 dialogues between magos are hilarious and make fun of the whole grimdark setting.”
- “The bonuses or maluses you encounter during battles are determined by luck, and they aren't funny at all.”
stability
184 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
90%
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting minor bugs and glitches, particularly in the user interface and visual elements, but few game-breaking issues. While some users have experienced crashes and performance drops, especially in graphically intense scenarios, others found the game largely playable and enjoyable despite these imperfections. Overall, the game is considered to be in a relatively polished state compared to its initial launch, though ongoing bugs still detract from the experience for some 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.”
- “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
157 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
59%
22%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance on lower settings and specific hardware, while others report significant issues such as stuttering, lag, and a general lack of polish. Many users feel that the game is poorly optimized, particularly for high-end machines, and express frustration over the limited graphical settings and performance tweaks available. Overall, while some players enjoy the gameplay, the consensus indicates that optimization remains a major concern that detracts from the experience.
- “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; issues 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
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
13%
83%
The monetization aspect of this Warhammer game has been positively received, with many reviewers praising it for not being a cash grab and lacking predatory microtransactions. Unlike numerous other titles in the franchise that are criticized for their exploitative practices, this game is recognized for its quality, passion from the developers, and fair pricing, making it a standout in a market often filled with low-effort, monetization-driven releases. Overall, it is seen as a refreshing departure from the typical cash grab mentality prevalent in many Warhammer adaptations.
- “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.”
- “Let's be honest, there are a lot of rubbish, cash grab games out there with the Warhammer name slapped on it.”
- “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
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a mixed response from players, with some expressing joy and satisfaction from gameplay mechanics and ambiance, while others find the portrayal of characters, particularly the magos, to be overly humanized and inconsistent with the lore. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a sense of urgency and reward through tactical gameplay, but some criticize the repetitive nature of battles and the lack of emotional depth in the story. Overall, the game successfully evokes a range of emotions, from joy to frustration, while immersing players in the world of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
- “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 =)”
- “Boring story, repetitive fights in disconnected rooms that are so artistically uninspired they don't even feel handcrafted.”
character development
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
49%
5%
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, with characters often feeling one-dimensional. Some players appreciate the customization options and the initial intrigue of character development, but feel that it becomes stagnant early in the campaign, leaving little room for meaningful growth. Overall, while the aesthetic and tactical elements are strong, the narrative and character arcs do not meet the expectations set by similar titles in the genre.
- “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, and 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.”
- “This is a turn-based tile-based game, and when you compare this to other similar games, like Final Fantasy or Fire Emblem, the game leaves a lot to be desired in terms of character development and abilities.”

77%Critics’ scoreBased on 26 critic reviews

Buy Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus

20h Median play time

32h Average play time

8-35h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 110 analyzed playthroughs

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A Warhammer-flavored XCOM alternative