WH&S

"WH&S" is a fantasy hack and slash game set in the Warhammer world, featuring local or online co-op play for up to 4 players. Choose from 5 character classes and use over 180 powers to battle monsters in fierce combat. The game offers an original story, atmospheric visuals, and a delightful soundtrack, but be prepared for grinding, bugs, and frequent advertisements.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

Reviews

61%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,438 reviews

story104 positive mentions

grinding44 negative mentions

Fun hack and slash gameplay with a Warhammer Fantasy setting.
Decent character customization and skill progression.
Great graphics and sound design, capturing the Warhammer atmosphere.

Repetitive maps and enemy types, leading to a lack of variety.
Short main campaign with minimal side content and exploration.
Bugs and technical issues, particularly in multiplayer mode.

story
556 mentions
19 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The story in "Warhammer: Chaosbane" is generally viewed as weak and predictable, often described as generic and lacking depth, with many players noting its linearity and repetitive mission structure. While some fans of the Warhammer lore may find enjoyment in the narrative, the overall consensus is that the storytelling fails to engage, with minimal side quests and a reliance on familiar tropes. Additionally, technical issues and bugs further detract from the experience, leaving many players feeling that the story is merely a vehicle for gameplay rather than a compelling narrative.
- “The story is interesting and immersive.”
- “The story makes good use of the Warhammer franchise, but the story is not so interesting.”
- “The story is decent for a Warhammer game.”
- “The story is very boring and horribly written.”
- “The story is weak, combat is simplistic, prologue and introduction are missing or make no sense, and I gave up after 53 minutes.”
- “The story is practically non-existent and it takes only about 8 hours to go through the game.”
gameplay
286 mentions
33 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it repetitive and lacking depth compared to other ARPGs like Diablo or Path of Exile. While some appreciate the smooth mechanics and engaging combat, others criticize the simplistic design, uninspired enemy variety, and the presence of pay-to-win elements. Overall, the game offers a familiar hack-and-slash experience but struggles to stand out due to its generic gameplay and limited content.
- “The gameplay feels better than most ARPGs, and graphically looks surprisingly good.”
- “Great story, fun gameplay, and interesting character mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is fun and exciting.”
- “The gameplay is very similar to Diablo, or several other generic ARPGs.”
- “Gameplay is repetitive and levels are pretty similar.”
- “The gameplay, enemies, and locations are repetitive, character progression has no depth whatsoever, the game itself is clunky and poorly built.”
graphics
272 mentions
38 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players praising the visuals as "beautiful" and "well-rendered," effectively capturing the Warhammer aesthetic. However, a significant number of users expressed frustration over the lack of graphical options and customization, noting that the game feels like a console port with limited settings. While the overall graphical quality is considered above average for the ARPG genre, repetitive environments and technical issues detract from the experience.
- “Visuals were nice to look at, effects & lighting were done very well.”
- “They nailed the graphics though, certainly captured the whole Warhammer fantasy battles aesthetic.”
- “The graphics are stunning, some of the best I’ve seen; reminds me of the first time I saw Diablo 3 and what a jump it was.”
- “The graphics are outdated, the level design is repetitive and the characters are ugly.”
- “The lack of graphics options is an utter failure on the part of the devs which makes the PC version feel like an afterthought.”
- “Graphics are not those shown in screenshots, they look like something from 6-7 years ago.”
music
47 mentions
38 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising it as atmospheric and well-composed, while others find it dull, repetitive, and forgettable. Many reviewers noted that the soundtrack fails to enhance immersion or match the game's tone effectively, leading to a lack of memorable moments. Overall, while there are positive mentions of the music, it is often overshadowed by criticisms regarding its impact and diversity.
- “A good diablo-like grips you from the get-go, either with captivating atmosphere or good music or just raw gameplay, something the four games I mentioned earlier deliver on all points.”
- “Music is spot on and the voice acting is above average and well done.”
- “In general, music and sound effects are very well made and remember Diablo 1 style (exception of act 3).”
- “The music is bad and annoying; the fights are ultra easy with the elf character and her summons.”
- “Music is not immersive or diverse, repetitive, and generally underwhelming.”
- “The soundtrack is very forgettable.”
grinding
46 mentions
2 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, often requiring extensive time investment for minimal rewards. While some appreciate the loot farming and customization options, others criticize the lack of variety in quests, enemies, and gear, leading to a monotonous experience. Overall, while the game offers some enjoyable elements, the grinding can feel excessive and unfulfilling for many players.
- “The combat feels meaty but not grindy.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The main quest is padded out so much, making it absolutely tedious.”
- “Same loot from beginning to end, so grinding the endgame for better gear is completely worthless.”
stability
34 mentions
9 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
91 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay, particularly in co-op mode. Issues range from graphical and movement glitches to severe progress rollbacks and crashes, leading many to feel the game is unfinished and poorly optimized. While some players find moments of fun, the overall consensus is that the game feels more like a beta version than a polished product, making it difficult to recommend at its current price.
- “Looks like Diablo, it's not that buggy.”
- “No significant updates, it's not really buggy.”
- “Really fun game that runs great and has the best local co-op.”
- “It feels like the game is still in beta, very buggy.”
- “The game is also super buggy and glitches out almost every level on co-op.”
- “This title is bare bones, massively buggy, horribly balanced and sadly like so many other Warhammer titles, mediocre and a wasted opportunity.”
replayability
34 mentions
29 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting a lack of depth and variety compared to other titles in the genre. While some appreciate the ability to play different characters and engage in various game modes, others feel that the limited maps and repetitive gameplay diminish long-term replay value. Despite some fun mechanics and cooperative play, many reviewers express disappointment in the overall replayability, suggesting that it may not hold players' interest for extended periods.
- “Yes, the core game is a little short, but you can replay levels with additional 'expedition' or 'invasion' modes and there are also unlockable modes; the 'relic hunt' game creator, a 'boss rush' challenge, and a 'tower of chaos' mode, to add some replay value.”
- “Not as complex or complete a game as Grim Dawn, but still loads of fun with a ton of replayability because of the nearly infinite combinations of skills you can employ across 5 very different characters.”
- “The promises were big: 4 characters in an up to 4 player cooperative hack'n'slay game, with over 200 different abilities, high replay value due to 4 acts each aligned to one of the chaos gods and over 70 different enemies.”
- “In my opinion, there's not as much replay value in Chaosbane.”
- “Replayability suffers from minimal maps to play on.”
- “There is truly no replayability.”
optimization
28 mentions
39 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
36 % negative mentions
Overall, player feedback on optimization is mixed; while some users report smooth performance and minimal bugs, others experience significant stuttering, particularly during intense combat scenarios. Many players note that the game runs well on higher-end systems, but there are concerns about poor optimization for lower-end PCs and a lack of graphical customization options. Additionally, issues with character balance and gameplay mechanics suggest that further optimization and polish are needed to enhance the overall experience.
- “The game runs smoothly, seems optimized.”
- “Performance is great, no issues with a GTX 1070.”
- “The game engine seems to be well optimized and runs very smoothly for me, but I also have a beast of a gaming rig.”
- “Character has insane stuttering, and I'm not alone.”
- “The game very obviously needs a few optimization passes, including tweaks to things like how their revamped favor/god skill system works: too few points given and too little benefit from what you can actually get with those points.”
- “The lack of optimization is the only thing... I don't know how companies haven't learned by now that poor optimization options on a PC game will automatically give you bad reviews.”
atmosphere
16 mentions
63 % positive mentions
19 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in these games is generally praised for its captivating grim medieval fantasy aesthetic, with strong visual design and a sense of immersion that reflects the Warhammer universe. While some titles successfully evoke a dark and engaging environment reminiscent of classic ARPGs, others are criticized for feeling like imitations rather than original contributions to the genre. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a strong point, though there are suggestions for improvement in certain areas, particularly in music and uniqueness.
- “Good looking grim medieval fantasy atmosphere, many monsters, classes with different abilities.”
- “And also for a Warhammer universe, the atmosphere is 100% there.”
- “Additionally, Chaosbane is trying a lot harder than most ARPGs to copy the Diablo III aesthetic and atmosphere, leading to it feeling more like a cheap imitation than a legitimate entry into a genre trying to move away from the dated 'Diablo clone' label.”
- “The telling of the following war and the atmosphere in it are the parts that make you feel excited to play the games.”
- “It captures the atmosphere of the old world and the struggles of the end times.”
monetization
14 mentions
21 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
79 % negative mentions
The monetization practices of the game have been widely criticized as blatant cash grabs, with many reviewers expressing disappointment over the lack of content and the high prices of both the base game and DLCs. Players feel that the game exploits the Warhammer license for profit, offering minimal value and relying on microtransactions that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the sentiment is that the game's monetization strategy has severely damaged its reputation and left fans feeling exploited.
- “The developers have implemented a monetization strategy that feels fair and balanced, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend extra money.”
- “The available DLCs offer additional content that enhances the gameplay experience without being overly aggressive in their pricing.”
- “I appreciate that the game provides optional purchases that do not hinder the overall experience, making it accessible for all players.”
- “It's unfortunate there isn't enough content to make this game as great as it could have been, and any of the DLC are blatant no-effort cash grabs by the publisher.”
- “The devs, or more the publisher, killed the reputation of Chaosbane thanks to their monetization practices and an overpriced base game.”
- “Feels very much like a cash grab trying to distract fans of the universe into buying it and then stringing them along as they release what should have been part of the complete game from the beginning.”
humor
10 mentions
90 % positive mentions
-20 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often derived from its shortcomings, with players finding amusement in aspects like poor hit feedback and the absurdity of certain game mechanics. While the gameplay can be entertaining, many reviews highlight that the humor primarily stems from the game's flaws, leading to a mixed experience where laughter often accompanies frustration. Overall, the game elicits a lighthearted response, particularly when shared with friends, despite its perceived shortcomings.
- “For an ARPG, this game has hilariously bad hit feedback.”
- “I came into this after playing Inquisitor and thought it was funny that the first boss in Chaosbane was the last boss in Inquisitor.”
- “A 'okay' time in the game (we'd have it in any other game together), but mainly because we were laughing about how bad this game is...”
- “The humor in the game falls flat and feels forced, making the experience less enjoyable.”
- “I expected a lot more laughs, but the jokes are stale and unoriginal.”
- “The attempts at humor are cringeworthy and detract from the overall gameplay.”
character development
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the improved depth compared to similar titles, while others criticize it as shallow and linear, lacking meaningful choices and interactions. Players noted that gear changes can affect character design, but overall, the leveling system feels automatic and uninspired, leading to a less engaging experience.
- “Diablo-style game, better character development.”
- “It's fairly tactical as it incorporates both D3 skill system and PoE with character development.”
- “Gear changes character design.”
- “Very shallow game with little content, reused assets, mostly linear character development, and a premium price point.”
- “The itemization is uninspired, the character design and leveling appears to be automatic, and the combat is a yawn fest.”
- “Same you can say about equipment and character development.”
emotional
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game elicits mixed feelings, with some players expressing discomfort and a sense of moral ambiguity, while others appreciate the limited choices that allow for varied gameplay experiences. However, the overall narrative is perceived as dull and short, detracting from the emotional engagement.
- “There aren't a ton of different choices, but there are enough that made me feel like I had a different gameplay experience when I changed them up.”
- “The very boring story is played out in a few hours.”