Released in 1998, Chaos Gate is one of the best games set in the world of Warhammer 40,000 ever made.
A turn-based strategy game, it lets players take control of squads of Ultramarines, fighting against the forces of Chaos. It’s probably not quite as good as our rose-tinted memories would have us believe now, but if you fancy playing it, you still can thanks to GOG.com. Though it’s not going to be necessary to enjoy the upcoming Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters.
Developed by Complex Games, Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters appears to be something of a labour of love. The studio, which in the past has worked with heavy hitters such as Disney, obviously adores the grimdark world of Warhammer 40,000. And after finding success with Drop Assault: The Horus Legacy for iOS and Android, it’s now dreaming bigger and better.
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With a story penned by acclaimed Black Library author Aaron Dembski-Bowden, Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters tasks players with leading humanity’s greatest weapon, the Grey Knights. Like in the original Chaos Gate, you’ll be fighting against the forces of Chaos, who this time are putting the galaxy in peril with the Bloom, a cosmic plague that warps and destroys all that it comes into contact with.
You’ll lead four Grey Knights into battle, and you’re free to determine their class and their gear. So, while it’s perhaps best to head into battle with a balanced team comprising of an Apothecary, Purgator, Interceptor and Justicar, each with their own unique abilities, you’re free to throw caution to the wind and field an entire team of Justicars if you wish.
As you progress further into the game, you’ll be able to hire more formidable Grey Knights, and purchase more powerful equipment using requisitions. Your efforts can also be bolstered by restoring the ship that serves as your base of operations. Bringing a certain facility back online might boost your experience gain rate, for example. Add in Stratagems to acquire that can be employed in battle to give you the upper hand, and the option to take on additional challenges to reap greater rewards, and you have a game where preparation is just as important as the battles themselves.
Much like the recent Gears Tactics, the turn-based battles of Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters are fast-paced and reward aggression. Common gameplay features like overwatch, utilising cover and action points are all present, but sit alongside some new developments that genuinely make the action stand out.
Move in close to an enemy, for example, and you can target specific points with your melee attacks. You might strike at a weapon, rendering it useless, or at your an opponent’s exposed head, leaving them with a bleeding wound. In adds another layer of strategy that could mean the difference between victory and defeat.
Certain elements of the environment can be destroyed, too. In a piece of gameplay, we witnessed a Grey Knight obliterate a bridge filled with enemy reinforcements approaching from the rear, taking the pressure off as a hulking enemy lumbered its way closer from the front. Those reinforcements, by the way, were brought in by a Warp Surge – strange occurrences that can happen during the heat of battle to keep you on your toes.
After watching a short snippet of Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters gameplay, we certainly can’t wait to go hands on with the title. It appears to combine wonderfully detailed visuals with cinematic presentation and fast-paced, turn-based action to great effect, resulting in battles that are fun to play through and watch. Set for release on 5th May on PC, we’re expecting this to live up to the standard set by the original Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate and then some. No pressure, Complex Games.
Add Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters to your Steam wishlist
