What is it? A follow-up to an excellent 40K strategy game.
Expect to pay: /£31.50
Developer: Bulwark Studios
Publisher: Kasedo Games
Reviewed on: Windows 11, Intel Core i9, 32GB RAM, Nvidia RTX 4060
Multiplayer? No
Steam Deck: Unsupported
Out: Now
Link: Official site
Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus was a captivating turn-based tactics game that expertly highlighted the eerie atmosphere of the 40K universe and the contradictions of its heroes through both narrative and gameplay mechanics. Players commanded tech-priests to delve into ancient tombs, seeking lost knowledge and formidable weaponry while utilizing lesser cyborgs to absorb attacks from the necrons dwelling within. The absence of a cover system meant that necrons targeted the nearest enemy, prompting players to deploy a frontline of robotic minions while their powerful tech-priests remained safely in the rear, armed with force axes and plasma guns.
The original Mechanicus introduced a unique cognition system, allowing players to earn points by engaging with the environment—studying monoliths, examining foes, or letting servitors take hits to gain insights into enemy weaponry. These points could then be spent to unleash more potent abilities, enabling players to create devastating combos when executed correctly.
Might & Mechanicus
However, the sequel, Mechanicus 2, expands the gameplay by offering two distinct campaigns. Following a prologue that introduces both factions, players can choose to lead either the Adeptus Mechanicus or the necrons. This shift allows players to experience the necrons as more than just faceless automatons, revealing their dynastic intrigues and complexities, appealing particularly to those who collect necron armies in tabletop 40K.
Despite its merits, Mechanicus 2 may be less appealing to newcomers. While the game shines in moments of strategic brilliance, it lacks some of the charm and innovation that made its predecessor a standout. The introduction of cover mechanics and a more linear exploration experience has replaced the original’s choose-your-own-adventure tomb exploration, where players made strategic decisions that influenced subsequent skirmishes.
The most significant alteration lies in the treatment of leaders. In the first game, tech-priests were customizable and could be assigned various classes, allowing for creative multiclassing. Mechanicus 2, however, limits players to five named leaders for both tech-priests and necrons, each with basic upgrade trees that do not allow for the same level of customization. Players can only deploy one leader per mission, making their survival paramount; losing a leader means restarting the skirmish or reverting to a previous save.
This design choice alters the tactical landscape, as players must now prioritize the protection of their leader amidst threats from enemies capable of teleportation or aerial assaults. The gameplay becomes a delicate dance of positioning, where clumping more attractive targets together becomes essential to draw fire away from the leader.
Scrap Code
Technical issues also mar the experience; a bug caused subtitles for necrons to display Adeptus Mechanicus dialogue, despite the audio remaining accurate. Performance can be subpar, necessitating adjustments like reducing volumetric fog for a smoother frame rate, although the turn-based nature of the game mitigates the impact of lower fps. Unfortunately, the game does not lend itself well to the Steam Deck.
Moreover, the atmospheric elements fall short compared to the original. While players can disable voice acting to mimic the first game’s dialogue style, the soundtrack lacks the punch that characterized its predecessor. The music feels more subdued, resembling ambient menu tunes rather than the industrial soundscapes that once inspired fervor.
Mechanicus 2 does offer the novelty of playing as necrons, a rarity in 40K games that encompass multiple factions. When approached as a casual experience, it can be enjoyable, reminiscent of a “heavily modded XCOM.” However, this enjoyment does not quite reach the heights of the original, which was both immersive and groundbreaking in ways that Mechanicus 2 struggles to replicate.
