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WH&S

Warhammer: Chaosbane is a fun and satisfying hack-and-slash with enough combat variety and hokey charm to make this casual Diablo-like worth a look.
WH&S Game Cover
59%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
58% User Score Based on 3,138 reviews
Critic Score 63%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5CloudPlaystation 4Xbox OneXboxWindowsPlayStation
WH&S Game Cover

About

WH&S is a single player and multiplayer hack and slash game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by EKO Software and was released on May 30, 2019. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and neutral reviews from players.

"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.

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58%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,138 reviews
story205 positive mentions
grinding104 negative mentions

  • Fun co-op gameplay with a good selection of characters that feel different.
  • Simple mechanics make it accessible for casual ARPG players.
  • Visually appealing graphics and engaging combat, especially with the Warhammer theme.
  • Repetitive enemy types and locations lead to a lack of variety in gameplay.
  • Bugs and glitches, especially in co-op mode, can hinder progress.
  • Short campaign length and lack of depth in character customization and story.
  • story
    1,258 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Warhammer: Chaosbane" is generally viewed as simplistic and uninspired, often described as a standard good vs. evil narrative that fails to engage players deeply. Many reviewers noted the repetitive nature of quests and environments, with a lack of side quests or meaningful exploration, leading to a feeling of monotony throughout the campaign. While some players appreciated the Warhammer lore and found the story enjoyable enough, the overall consensus is that it lacks depth and variety, making it less compelling compared to other action RPGs in the genre.

    • “The story is engaging and has some interesting turns, particularly in the second act.”
    • “The story makes good use of the Warhammer franchise, providing a familiar setting that fans will appreciate.”
    • “The story is decent for a Warhammer game, with a straightforward narrative that fits well within the established lore.”
    • “The story is barely anything and the stages are mostly all just copy-paste of one particular theme per act; the amount of sewers or chaos walkways is a bit much.”
    • “The story is boring and requires a ridiculous amount of running back and forth between people to continue dialogue, and the game still has a lot of bugs, the most annoying being unable to talk to quest givers as they are not interactable, causing you to either use the portal to teleport to another level then back again or just restart the game.”
    • “The story is generic and lacks depth, with missions that feel repetitive and uninspired, often sending you back to the same areas with little variation.”
  • gameplay
    642 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Warhammer: Chaosbane" is generally described as solid and straightforward, appealing to both casual and veteran ARPG players. While it features familiar hack-and-slash mechanics reminiscent of titles like Diablo, many reviewers note that the gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth, with some mechanics feeling underdeveloped or clunky. Despite its engaging combat and character customization options, the game suffers from a lack of content and variety, leading to a mixed reception regarding its overall gameplay experience.

    • “The gameplay for this game is solid, well done, and simple enough for newcomers and veterans alike to find fun and extended gameplay here.”
    • “Gameplay is straightforward but satisfying: you carve through huge hordes of enemies with weighty abilities that feel impactful.”
    • “The mechanics are solid and responsive - this is where my 100+ hours came from; even if it's not anything new under the sun, it does feel good to play once you know what you're doing.”
    • “A lot of the mechanics baked into the game feel half-cooked, surface level, and obsolete.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly repetitive, with the same waves of enemies constantly rushing you.”
    • “The gameplay is bland and uninspiring.”
  • graphics
    550 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players praising the aesthetic and visual fidelity, particularly in relation to the Warhammer universe. However, several users express disappointment over the lack of advanced graphics options and optimization issues, noting that while the visuals can be appealing, they often feel outdated or repetitive. Overall, the graphics are generally considered good but not groundbreaking, with some players feeling that they do not justify the game's price.

    • “The graphics are very nice, and I'm personally really into this era of the Warhammer universe, akin to Vermintide (my actual #1 favorite game of all time).”
    • “The graphics and sound design are also well-done, with a dark and gritty aesthetic that fits well with the Warhammer fantasy universe.”
    • “The overall art style and graphics are beautiful.”
    • “Graphics: graphically speaking, the game shows age.”
    • “The graphics are terrible, the voice acting is cringe-worthy at best, the gameplay is dull and boring.”
    • “The graphics are outdated, especially the special effects.”
  • grinding
    107 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive due to a lack of variety in quests, enemies, and loot. While some enjoy the grind for gear and levels, others criticize the monotonous gameplay and the feeling of being stuck in a cycle of farming the same content without meaningful rewards. Overall, the game caters to hardcore grinders but may frustrate those seeking a more engaging and diverse experience.

    • “The combat feels meaty but not grindy.”
    • “The achievements in the game aren't very difficult to obtain, just a bit tedious.”
    • “The skill system is a tedious grind, rewarding you with a single skill point per level, whereas skills and their upgrades usually cost 4 or 5 points.”
    • “It's a tedious, boring slog through samey environments and the same enemies, but you're supposed to have fun with multiplayer, right?”
  • music
    101 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its atmospheric orchestral quality that fits the Warhammer theme, while others criticize it as generic, repetitive, and forgettable. Many players noted that the soundtrack often fails to enhance the gameplay experience, leading some to prefer turning it off in favor of their own music. Overall, while there are moments of good sound design, the inconsistency and lack of memorable tracks detract from the overall audio experience.

    • “The music is orchestral-based, with lots of aggressive tones that suit the setting and loop in the background.”
    • “On the presentation side, the art direction nails the Warhammer aesthetic, with gritty environments, detailed character models, and atmospheric music that fits the setting.”
    • “Music is very good, and the soundtrack is decent.”
    • “The soundtrack is about as consistent as British weather.”
    • “The music is not very memorable, but the sound effects are good.”
    • “Music is not immersive or diverse, repetitive and generally underwhelming.”
  • stability
    91 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly in multiplayer modes. Many players experienced game-breaking problems, such as crashes, unresponsive quests, and graphical glitches, leading to a consensus that the game feels unfinished and overly buggy. While some users noted stable performance on specific platforms like the Steam Deck, the overall sentiment suggests that the game requires significant patches and improvements before it can be recommended.

    • “Game runs great on Steam Deck; I limit FPS to 45, almost no fan sound, and more than 4 hours of battery life.”
    • “A good, solid Diablo sibling, with great gameplay and bug-free.”
    • “The overall presentation is fantastic; yes, it may lack customization, but it looks good and runs great.”
    • “Co-op is also extremely buggy where you can enter the area but your partner will not load up with you and will then separate you, forcing you to restart the session.”
    • “The game is full of bugs and glitches related to quest triggers.”
    • “Buggy beyond belief and basically unplayable given the frustration of constant reloading.”
  • replayability
    65 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is a contentious topic among players, with many expressing disappointment due to a lack of engaging endgame content and repetitive maps. While some appreciate the variety of characters and skills that offer potential for multiple playthroughs, others feel that the overall experience is too short and lacks depth, leading to minimal replay value. Overall, opinions range from high replayability due to character diversity to a consensus that the game falls short compared to other titles in the genre.

    • “There's so many aspects in this game that made Chaosbane have so much potential for endless replayability.”
    • “Can recommend this for those who want to play a Warhammer fantasy ARPG, because it's fun to play, it has (pretty much infinite) endgame, and it has some replay value with different character and difficulty options too.”
    • “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.”
    • “No replayability: in the end, you'll spend your time in side games but not in starting the same hero again.”
    • “The game had potential, even with the boring recycled maps, but the way devs balance (one extreme to the opposite extreme) combined with an extremely dull and repetitive end game makes for a game with no replay value.”
    • “The maps are identical so there's no replay value and the loot system seems like it was an afterthought.”
  • atmosphere
    56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its faithful representation of the grimdark Warhammer Fantasy setting, featuring immersive environments, detailed graphics, and fitting music that enhances the overall experience. While some players note repetitive level design and clunky mechanics, the game's aesthetic and atmospheric elements are often highlighted as strong points, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre. Overall, the atmosphere effectively captures the essence of Warhammer, contributing to an engaging and immersive gameplay experience.

    • “The atmosphere and characters are all loyal to the lore, and it's a fun story.”
    • “Set in the grimdark world of Warhammer Fantasy, it captures the atmosphere of the old world beautifully, complete with iconic enemies like beastmen, cultists, and chaos champions.”
    • “The environments and atmosphere are immersive.”
    • “Atmosphere was as dark and moody as a cardboard Halloween decoration.”
    • “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.”
    • “Graphics are nice, atmosphere would be nice if the levels weren't identical lanes to walk down.”
  • optimization
    55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues such as stuttering and frame rate drops, particularly on lower-end systems. However, others report smooth gameplay and quick load times, suggesting that performance may vary based on individual hardware configurations. Overall, while some users appreciate the game's graphics and stability, many call for better optimization options and adjustments to enhance performance across a wider range of systems.

    • “Performance is stable, and load times are quick, making it easy to jump in for short sessions.”
    • “Visuals are very nice and the game is well optimized.”
    • “Game runs smoothly, seems optimized.”
    • “The only thing that made this game quite annoying was that it never told you how to evade and counter. Moreover, the game feels quite heavy and consumes a lot of performance because the lighting can be considered 'too demanding' for low-end GPUs with 2GB VRAM.”
    • “The game is poorly optimized for PC, so you can potentially run into some frame rate issues that can't be easily mitigated.”
    • “The lack of optimization is the only thing... I don't understand how companies haven't learned by now that poor optimization options in a PC game will automatically lead to bad reviews.”
  • humor
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of intentional and unintentional comedy, with players finding amusement in the game's absurdities, such as hilariously bad AI and voice acting. While some characters and moments provide genuine laughs, the overall experience is often overshadowed by the game's shortcomings, leading to a blend of enjoyment and frustration. Despite its flaws, many players appreciate the lighthearted tone and comedic elements, making it a fun, albeit flawed, experience.

    • “It's hilarious...”
    • “For an ARPG, this game has hilariously bad hit feedback.”
    • “The voice acting isn't top tier, but it can be unintentionally funny.”
    • “The humor in the game falls flat and feels forced, making the gameplay experience less enjoyable.”
    • “I found the jokes to be stale and unoriginal, which really detracted from my overall enjoyment.”
    • “The attempts at humor often miss the mark, leaving me more confused than entertained.”
  • monetization
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization practices of the game have been widely criticized as exploitative and indicative of a cash grab, with many reviewers pointing to the presence of microtransactions and overpriced DLCs that feel like a lack of effort from the developers. Players express disappointment over the game's content, suggesting that it was rushed and designed primarily to capitalize on the Warhammer brand rather than provide a fulfilling gaming experience. Overall, the monetization strategy has detracted significantly from the game's potential and reputation.

    • “There might be better ARPGs out there, but it is no cash grab, as many reviews try to sell.”
    • “It's a solid isometric ARPG game with no microtransactions, perfect for local co-op and a must for Diablo fans.”
    • “Microtransactions - £4.99 XP boosts and stuff like that have no place in a full-price game!”
    • “Instead of getting this game that was obviously an abuse of licensing and an easy cash grab.”
    • “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.”
  • character development
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its lack of depth and linear progression, often feeling automatic and unsatisfying. While the character design and animations are praised for their quality, the overall development is criticized for being shallow, with limited interactions and choices that fail to engage players meaningfully. Despite some positive aspects, such as unique character roles and solid skill trees, the consensus is that the game falls short in delivering a rich and immersive character development experience.

    • “Also, this is the first game I've seen give a female dwarf a starring role, so props for original character design.”
    • “Beautifully detailed game with a nice take on character development.”
    • “Good character development (somewhere between Diablo and Path of Exile).”
    • “Its voice acting is atrocious, the quest lines so far are basic, the character development is lacking, and the controls are 'aight'.”
    • “Character design - they should be archetypes for their respective roles, but pretty soulless with weird reactions to situations, going against what they said or did before.”
    • “Very shallow game with little content, reused assets, mostly linear character development, and a premium price point.”
  • emotional
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, players express a lack of emotional engagement with the game, citing a boring story, uninspired dialogue, and poor voice acting that fail to capture the essence of the Warhammer universe. Many reviewers feel disconnected from the gameplay experience, describing it as lacking excitement and emotional impact, leading to a sense of disappointment and disconnection from the game's potential.

    • “I'm not the most familiar with Warhammer lore, but it simply isn't told in a way that elicits any emotional impact from the player.”
    • “For all the awesomeness that a dwarven trollslayer vaulting into enemy groups should be, I spent four hours wondering when I was going to feel the oomph, when I was going to unlock a few abilities that made me feel like a killing machine, when the game was going to get fun.”
    • “The very boring story is played out in a few hours.”
    • “Neither capturing the essence or feeling of a Warhammer universe; the horrible voice acting and boring story is the main reason.”
    • “-1 for boring story and too many text boxes.”
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10h Median play time
12h Average play time
5-18h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 63 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

WH&S is a hack and slash game with fantasy theme.

WH&S is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and others.

On average players spend around 12 hours playing WH&S.

WH&S was released on May 30, 2019.

WH&S was developed by EKO Software.

WH&S has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

WH&S is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include WH&S, Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyr, Torchlight III, Grim Dawn, Vikings: Wolves of Midgard and others.