A brilliant add on to the Warhammer 40K universe!
Some key points that this game offers:
- Expansive Single-player campaign
- PVP multiplayer
- Massive array of Battlefleet Gothic Ships
- RPG Elements
- Authentic Story line and Warhammer 40K lore
Gameplay & Controls:
The controls for the game are rather straightforward, you have the full use of your keyboard and mouse. You have the option to rebind the keys to your exact preferences. This is always a neat feature if you make use of hardware that has additional functions.
Battlefleet Gothic: Armada is the digital adaptation of the classic tabletop game. You get to experience the RTS variant of that game, set in the same universe with the same lore and amazing gameplay.
As is custom in the Warhammer universe; It is the Imperium of Man Vs everybody else. You will commandeer your very own fleet as you protect the Gothic Sector against Eldar, Orks, and the Chaos forces.
You will be given control from Escort class ships all the way up to Battleships. Fit and equip them as you see fit with a variety of options, from offensive weapons to defensive capabilities. Battlefleet Gothic: Armada offers a very in-depth ship management system. Not only do you as a Captain gain XP from every battle but so do your individual ships. As you and your ships level up, you gain access to higher class ships and the ability to command a larger fleet.
Your ships gain crew points which can be used to increase their prowess of your ship’s crew capabilities such as sergeants or servitors. These crew members really help turn the tide in battle and offer a variety of strategies to help aid you in battle. Every ship can be outfitted with a number of extra abilities, whether it is long-range torpedoes or strike teams. You really have the option to fit and kit out a deadly fleet that can take on any battle if planned properly.
This is also where the biggest issue that the game has lies. There are a number of micromanagement requirements for each ship, and having the AI help you just doesn’t work. The AI lacks terribly in the area, you cannot rely on the AI to auto fight a ship or two of yours. It simply does not have the capability to do a proper job here of offering you any reliable support.
Managing a larger fleet by yourself becomes tedious and cumbersome because of this. It ends up taking away from the enjoyment of these actual battles. The AI system should have been better implemented or the battle mechanics should have been made in such a way that you can more easily manage your fleet.
Other than that, the game plays beautifully, the fights are rather fun and quite the spectacle. Plan your strategy and fit your ships out for every fight accordingly, and watch the magic happen. There is a very realistic atmosphere surrounding the battle systems. Taking hits sets fire to systems that reduce functionalities in your breached ship. Strike teams can cripple vessels. Quick warping allows you to flank the enemy with surprise attacks which really can turn the tide of battle.
Battlefleet Gothic: Armada has a brilliant story line accompanying it. We get to experience a Black Crusade whilst defending against it. It is a gorgeous sight to behold.
Graphics:
Absolutely gorgeous. The ships are incredibly detailed and unique in their own right. Different ships outfitted with different features all have their own unique appearances. These appearances bring these vessels to life in a way we have yet to experience.
Animated scenes are beyond beautiful and an absolute visual marvel to behold and experience. They are vibrant and full of colour which is more than inviting, you simply can’t wait to get into action and just take it all in.
Space might seem like a big empty black thing, but I assure you, that is far from true. Every system, every planet has its own unique colour spectrum that you get to witness and experience. Gorgeous and surrounded in their own colour schemes, giving these systems more than a visually pleasing atmosphere, it makes the experience that much more memorable.
Battle scenes are second to none, the visuals and destruction caused is quite realistic and a sight to behold. They did more than an impressive job to make this game pretty,
Under the settings menu, we have a rather large variety of options to fully customize how this game runs on our system.
Sounds:
It’s Warhammer 40K; Expect to hear loud, proud, and honourable men as they set out to fulfill their duties in the Emperor’s name.
Voice over work was done superbly, bringing every character to life, with their own unique personality. Background sounds are aplenty, further adding life to this massive world and all its vibrant corners.
Under the settings menu, we have full volume control to adjust the sounds to your exact liking.
Replayability:
The single player campaign does not really have a massive replay feature. You can replay it and make different battle choices to experience different outcomes, however, these do not change the ending of the game in anyway whatsoever.
There is multiplayer; You can take the battles to a Skirmish mode or if you are feeling up to it. You can go PVP. As fun, as it is multiplayer, is pretty lackluster and does not offer the same enjoyment or fulfillment as the singleplayer campaign itself.
MGR Gaming’s Conclusions:
Spoilers Ahead:
All things considered; this is a pretty solid game. They did a fantastic job of bringing a fan favourite tabletop game to life. The abundance of lore directly from the Warhammer 40K universe is on point and accurate which makes the entire experience that much more memorable.
Even with the flawed mechanics, the game is still pretty fun and enjoyable. The singleplayer campaign story will keep you busy for hours and in the end, it will leave you satisfied and wanting more.
The multiplayer modes are lacking yes, but the experience is still fairly memorable nonetheless. The incredible beauty that this game has to offer is by far one of its greatest aspects. The detail on your ships truly makes them a sight to behold and partaking in these massive system battles with their warm and vibrant colours truly makes the experience unforgettable.
All in all, a totally enjoyable title.
The Official trailer for Battlefleet Gothic: Armada.
By: MGRza
Date: 28 April 2016
Additional Info:
Platforms: PC
Genre: Strategy: Warhammer 40K: Space: RTS: Sci-fi: Singleplayer: Tactical: Gothic: Fantasy: Naval
Censor Rating: Mature
Age Rating: Teen
Developer: Tindalos Interactive
Publisher: Focus Home Interactive
Release Date: 21 April 2016
MGR Gaming Steam Curator:
https://store.steampowered.com/curator/32364038/
