Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters PC Game Review
The next game in the Warhammer 40,000 universe is finally out. But what can you expect from this thrilling turn-based strategy PC game?
The world of Warhammer 40,000 is a big place, there’s no denying it. This month, with the release of Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters, the series gets a new chapter, and it still manages to exceed expectations and deliver an excellent gameplay experience. This turn-based strategy RPG takes the carefully established formula of XCOM and adds more death and unforgiving turn-based tactical battles to the mix. The story is centered on Grey Knights, a secret and deadly chapter of Space Marines who are humanity’s greatest weapon. The Grey Knights are not only made of sterner stuff, but they are also incorruptible thanks to a gene-seed engineered from the genome of the Emperor. If that doesn’t make them perfect to fight the forces of the Warp, we don’t know what does.
The Story
We guess you’re all familiar with, “In the grim darkness of the 41st millennium, there is only war.” Sets the tone perfectly and sums up the universe of Warhammer 40,000 quite well, doesn’t it?
This strategy game begins with a dire situation in your hands. Considering your superior is dead and your spaceship is damaged, it’s safe to say things aren’t really going well. That’s exactly when you are commandeered by the Inquisition to stop the Nurgle threat.
While you take on the role of an anonymous commander, there are three main characters on the ship Baleful Edict. Each of these characters is well-written, memorable, and drives the story forward. It’s nice to see how the main cast play off of each other as the story progresses and the differences in their characters. The voice actors like Andy Serkis and Robyn Addison are also putting in their best work to elevate the characters and the story even further.
There are also nice touches and references to Warhammer lore and this is in perfect balance with the story of the game that anyone can follow without needing to know every detail about the universe.
Overall, the story does a good job of capturing the essence of the Warhammer universe, creates a thrilling atmosphere, and also explores some interesting themes and elements.
The Graphics
Warhammer 40k universe has a quite distinct style and it can be described as gothic sci-fi mixed with space horror. Given the gothic aesthetic of the game, it’s clear that Daemonhunters manages to capture it quite well. Daemonhunters’ over-the-top visuals, cutscenes, and the camera that zooms in during some badass moments to accentuate the effect gives this cinematic feeling to the game.
Even though the grim, dark, and gothic elements can be found all over the game, there are vibrant colors in aspects like the maps and the world that create this beautiful juxtaposition. The game also goes with a stylized approach when it comes to UI. Even though it’s bold and legible, the endless menus and the complexity of the mechanics take a bit of time to get used to.
A great addition to the Daemonhunters is the chance to customize your characters. The game is loaded with cosmetic options that let you pick different faces, voices, and hairstyles. The customization options also include melee and ranged weapons and armor which opens up new ways to tailor the characters according to your wishes.
The Gameplay
Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters is an XCOM-like turn-based strategy but is also more than that. There are four classes to begin with: Justicar, Interceptor, Purgator, and Apothecary. Each class has a special ability that makes them stand out, like when The Interceptor can teleport across the battlefield. As you progress through the game, you’ll unlock four more classes, but we’ll leave it to you to find out as you play the game.
Your Space Marines are seven-foot-tall powerful warriors with psychic powers and the ability to interact with the terrain. The game does a great job of making them look strong and also makes the gameplay and controlling the characters dynamic and aggressive at the same time. However, one should never rule out the importance of the difficulty. Daemonhunters is a challenging game. There are four difficulties to choose from and a Grand Master setting which is the hardest difficulty. The number of hits your knights can take depends on the difficulty you choose. The very beginning of the game is more difficult, considering your ship is damaged and you have limited tools. However, as you progress through the game, find more powerful gear and repair your ship, you’ll increase your survivability. You can’t change your difficulty level mid-game, so make sure you choose the right one for you.
Your ship menu is where you’ll navigate through the galaxy, upgrade your ship, and conduct research. The latter two are essential for the success of your campaign. The Baleful Edict is also the perfect place to talk to various characters in-between missions and get more information about the world of the game.
Outside of the main missions you need to complete, there are Bloom Outbreaks scattered across the galaxy that you can deal with. Keep in mind that these missions are time-limited, and if you fail them, this will result in an increase in corruption. That’s why it’s important to weigh out all your options before continuing with the missions.
Is Warhammer 40K: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters Worth Playing?
Overall, Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters is a great game for turn-based strategy fans and it’s fun, addictive, and challenging at the same time. It remains faithful to the Warhammer lore and atmosphere and is also a great introduction to the series for beginners. With over-the-top visuals, satisfying turn-based combat, and an engaging storyline, Daemonhunters is a must-play for strategy game fans out there.
If you’d like to know more about this game, don’t forget to check out our video review. If you still haven’t bought the game, you can get the Standard Edition or the Champion Edition and share your thought with us. Don’t forget to use our Early Summer Sale code “EARLYSUMMER20” to get this strategy PC game at reduced prices. Happy gaming, everyone!
