Warhammer 40,000: Regicide

Warhammer 40,000: Regicide combines the cerebral strategy of Chess with the brutal tactical gameplay the Warhammer 40k series is famous for. But does this game rely more on brawn or brains? Our review.

66%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

stability, monetization

68% User Score Based on 1,951 reviews

Critic Score 63%Based on 10 reviews

Platforms

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About

Warhammer 40,000: Regicide is a single player and multiplayer survival turn-based strategy game with warfare and science fiction themes. It was developed by Hammerfall Publishing and was released on May 7, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"Warhammer 40,000: Regicide" is a turn-based strategy game that combines traditional chess with brutal combat. Players can command their soldiers through two phases of combat, using tactical abilities and psychic powers to defeat enemies. The game also features single and multiplayer modes based on chess rules, with violent kills and cross-platform multiplayer functionality.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+18

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68%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,951 reviews

story40 positive mentions

stability50 negative mentions

Unique twist on classic chess with Warhammer 40k theme
High-quality graphics and animations
Engaging gameplay with tactical depth in Regicide mode

AI can be frustratingly poor and inconsistent
RNG mechanics can lead to unfair outcomes
Limited factions and content, with some features locked behind microtransactions

story
298 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
83%
4%
The game's story is generally considered weak and underdeveloped, often described as thin and lacking depth, with many players finding the plot to be either non-existent or poorly executed. While the campaign features a variety of missions that can be engaging puzzles, the narrative elements are often overshadowed by gameplay frustrations, such as bugs and unbalanced mechanics. Overall, while there are some interesting lore elements from the Warhammer 40k universe, the storytelling fails to deliver a compelling experience, leaving players wanting more.
- “The campaign has an interesting story, but is really hard because you will be missing most of your 70% shots.”
- “Campaign story is voiced, and quite interesting, if you like the Warhammer 40k universe.”
- “The completed campaign adds an interesting story element to the game with different primary and secondary goals for each mission.”
- “The 'plot' is anywhere from non-existent to rubbish, with tedious 'I want to kill orcs' speeches between every mission.”
- “The campaign itself is pretty straightforward, yet the story is not so well done and only scratched the surface; there are only little cutscenes when one unit kills the other, but none for the campaign story or anything.”
- “This is a huge problem because the story isn't exactly bad; it's good enough to intrigue me.”
graphics
283 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
36%
4%
The graphics in the game have received widespread praise for their high quality, detailed character models, and impressive animations, particularly in the context of the Warhammer 40k universe. Many users highlight the visual effects and gore as standout features, enhancing the overall experience, although some mention occasional graphical glitches and a lack of diverse animations. Overall, the game's aesthetics are considered a significant draw, making it appealing to both chess enthusiasts and fans of the Warhammer franchise.
- “The graphics are solid and everything feels 40k at the surface, even the voice acting is appropriate.”
- “The game is beautiful in all aspects: animation, model, shading, graphics, and running with solid 60 fps.”
- “With gorgeous graphics and an interesting twist on the classic chess game, regicide is both fun, engaging and bound to keep 40,000 fans satisfied.”
- “The graphics are poor for something that came out this recently and they reused assets as often as humanly possible.”
- “I don't even want to comment on the animations, graphics, sound, or anything else... this has completely ruined this game for me.”
- “Graphics choppy, gameplay is repetitive; it is a $5 game in my opinion.”
gameplay
281 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
63%
9%
The gameplay of Warhammer 40,000: Regicide is a unique blend of classic chess mechanics and tactical turn-based combat, introducing elements like shooting and special abilities that add depth and variability. However, many players find the execution inconsistent, with issues such as reliance on luck, unbalanced mechanics, and frustrating AI behavior detracting from the overall experience. While the game offers engaging visuals and a fresh take on chess, it suffers from repetitive gameplay and a lack of diverse factions, leaving some players feeling that it doesn't fully capitalize on its potential.
- “The new game modes and two-phase gameplay of the Warhammer experience has been the best part of this purchase; it was exactly what I never knew could be missing from a chess game.”
- “Regicide is a brutal take on classic chess with a whole new layer of gameplay over and alongside classic chess game mode.”
- “Warhammer 40,000: Regicide combines the cerebral strategy of chess with the brutal tactical gameplay the Warhammer 40k series is famous for.”
- “Failure to the emperor: let me get this out of the way, the game is bad…not immediately, for the first two hours you may enjoy it (I did) but once you start to get the mechanics down and the game starts having to create 'puzzle' levels to create any form of challenge you start realizing you are just banging your head against mechanics that, although interesting, fail at creating enjoyment.”
- “But the 'regicide' portion of gameplay is more frustrating than the game is worth.”
- “The gameplay is clunky and it just feels slow and repetitive.”
stability
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
93%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and issues affecting both single-player and multiplayer experiences. Many players have encountered significant problems, such as broken friend systems and unplayable online modes, leading to frustration despite some acknowledging the game's potential. While a few users noted improvements over time, the overall consensus is that the game remains in a buggy state, detracting from the enjoyment and functionality.
- “It seems to be utterly bug free.”
- “It seems to be utterly bug free.”
- “Bug free (at least from what I've seen so far).”
- “The game has lots of problems; you are not able to play online with friends, and it's buggy.”
- “Incredibly buggy; the friend system is broken and multiplayer is completely unplayable.”
- “Since 2017, from what I recall, the developers of Regicide jumped their servers from one host to another. Since the change in servers, the multiplayer has been buggy and temperamental, along with the option to add friends being completely broken to the point it doesn't work.”
music
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
46%
9%
The music in Regicide mode is widely praised for its thematic quality and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, with many noting its strong Warhammer 40k influence. While the soundtrack is considered excellent and fitting, some players mention it can become repetitive, suggesting a need for more variety. Overall, the audio, including voice acting and sound effects, is well-received, contributing positively to the gaming experience.
- “The music is thematic, and loops in a way that runs just underneath your attention level and doesn’t distract.”
- “Makes me smile every time, the soundtrack is awesome and when I got some money, I'll definitely buy it.”
- “With a great musical score and absolutely top-notch graphics/aesthetic design, regicide uses chess rules combined with an expanded TBS framework to provide an interesting twist on turn-based warfare.”
- “Graphics are fine, music is ok, but it feels like one track repeats all the time (maybe it's just my ears deceiving me).”
- “Both background music and sound effects are ok.”
- “- repetitive perhaps only two musics”
replayability
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
32%
8%
The game offers a mix of high replayability due to its varied gameplay modes and optional objectives, particularly for fans of chess-like strategy. However, the limited number of playable factions and lack of post-campaign content can dampen long-term replay value. Overall, while many players find it enjoyable and entertaining, the absence of deeper content and community engagement may affect its lasting appeal.
- “I have had it for years and keep coming back; replayability is good, and you can complete the levels in numerous ways.”
- “There are many fun modes you will be able to play, so it goes beyond your normal gameplay and strategy of regular chess; it doesn't get boring, and the replay value is great!”
- “High replay value and solid production quality make this game worth a $20-25 price point.”
- “Not much content, boring, same animations over and over, repetitive, hardly any community, only 2 classes, and finally no one is playing multiplayer which is the only replay value of this game.”
- “Campaign is relatively solid, but the lack of options post-campaign (allowing customized maps or anything other than a standard chess setup) kills the replayability long term, but the game is overall quite good and certainly worth it on sale.”
- “Additionally, being restricted to only two playable factions and game boards/environments does dampen overall replayability.”
monetization
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
50%
42%
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn mixed reactions, with some players labeling it a cash grab due to the presence of numerous microtransactions for additional content like chapters, factions, and skins. While there are options to earn in-game currency through gameplay, many feel that the reliance on paid unlockables detracts from the overall experience. Despite these concerns, some players appreciate the game's quality and believe the developers are committed to delivering a high-production value experience.
- “Unlockables can be purchased with in-game currency or microtransactions.”
- “There are microtransactions in this game for new army skins or maps, but you also have in-game currency, which you earn by just playing the game.”
- “There was a great deal of coverage and positive reviews from major game journalists at the time, but in the end, it was just a cash grab.”
- “I am irritated by the slight microtransactions of having to purchase other chapters and tribes, though, for skirmish or the ork campaign.”
- “For all the talk about the microtransactions: I've played games that have the exact same unlock mechanic, but without the option of forking over some money to get it early.”
grinding
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is criticized for its excessive grinding required to unlock new skins and content, leading to a tedious experience that may deter players from continuing. Many users report a lack of engaging gameplay and a limited number of factions, with significant portions of the game locked behind paywalls or extensive grinding. Additionally, technical issues and a sparse multiplayer community further exacerbate the grindy nature of the game.
- “This game can feel grindy to unlock new skins, and I doubt you want to play long enough to unlock them all.”
- “The 5 hours I clocked was simply grinding the campaign (maybe 4 hours at most) and then trying to find redeeming qualities or deeper gameplay and leveling mechanics.”
- “There are also only two factions, and a lot of the game is behind either a paywall or requires a significant amount of grinding.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by the hilarious dialogue of the Warhammer 40,000 characters, particularly the orks, whose unintentional comedic lines and antics provide a delightful experience. Players enjoy the blend of chess strategy with amusing moments, such as a king inadvertently putting itself in check, making the game both entertaining and a valuable tool for practicing chess skills. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm that enhances the gameplay experience.
- “I couldn't stop laughing at the ork dialogue.”
- “Plus, orks are just awesome and hilarious.”
- “The voices are awesome and the orks, true to their way, are hysterical in what they say even though they are not trying to be funny.”
atmosphere
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
23%
8%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised, effectively capturing the essence of the Warhammer 40k universe with rich graphics, detailed 3D models, and immersive sound design. Players appreciate the visceral battle animations and the overall aesthetic, which contribute to a promising and engaging experience, despite the game being in an early development stage. The combination of atmospheric elements, including music and fatalities, enhances the enjoyment of the gameplay.
- “The game captures the 40k atmosphere very well and looks overall interesting and promising.”
- “Yes, the graphics are tasty and the fight scenes are well done, and the atmospherics are exemplary.”
- “The graphics and atmosphere are fitting of a 40k game.”
optimization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
42%
8%
The game excels in optimization, achieving a high score of 9/10 for its impressive presentation and performance balance, even on lower-end hardware. Players report that it maintains visual quality across various settings, though some anticipate further improvements in mechanics and depth for an even higher rating. Overall, the optimization is well-received, making it accessible to a wide range of systems.
- “Yes, this game scores very high in the presentation and performance aspect.”
- “Even though my 4-year-old laptop could run relatively decent on beautiful settings, the game keeps its awesome presentation even on low performance settings.”
- “When the game is fully optimized and has 100% chess mechanics and more depth, I will give it 8/10-10/10 depending on added features and tweaks.”
- “The freshest rookie scout would be ashamed of and disciplined for such performance, let alone a veteran with decades if not centuries of front-line experience to qualify him for the first company.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
50%
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players find the experience engaging enough to feel genuine loss during gameplay, others criticize the story as boring and the difficulty spikes as frustrating, detracting from the overall emotional impact.
- “This all combines to an emotional game experience, where you really feel for your losses... as I found myself saying out loud to the orcs.”
- “The story is stupid and boring.”
- “The story is stupid and boring.”
- “The story lacks emotional depth and engagement.”

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63%Critics’ scoreBased on 10 critic reviews

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Frequently Asked Questions

Warhammer 40,000: Regicide is a survival turn-based strategy game with warfare and science fiction themes.

Warhammer 40,000: Regicide is available on PC, Phone, PlayStation 4, iPad and others.

Warhammer 40,000: Regicide was released on May 7, 2015.

Warhammer 40,000: Regicide was developed by Hammerfall Publishing.

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

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

Similar games include Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector, Space Hulk, Warhammer 40,000: Sanctus Reach, Battlefleet Gothic: Armada, Necromunda: Underhive Wars and others.

Warhammer 40,000: Regicide

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Honor, Blood and Brains

Warhammer: Regicide is chess. And not much else.