I was really impressed with MENACE and Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era, so I had high hopes for Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus II. This sequel, from Bulwark Studios, builds on their popular 2018 turn-based strategy game, Mechanicus. Instead of controlling Space Marines, you lead the Adeptus Mechanicus, the most tech-focused group within the Imperium, offering a unique style of warfare. But does this new installment live up to the hype?
Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus II plays much like the first game. Instead of focusing on managing an entire squad where every member is crucial, the gameplay centers around your powerful hero characters. These heroes are supported by servitors and necron troops who assist them in completing missions.
One of the key improvements in Mechanicus II compared to the first game is the addition of two playable factions: The Adeptus and the Necrons. Each faction has its own two-part story campaign, and the demo offers a first look at how they play. While they do play differently, the differences aren’t drastic enough to be considered truly asymmetrical or unique – they’re more like variations on a similar theme. Both factions feature close-combat units (Flayed Ones for the Necrons and Servitors for the Adeptus Mechanicus), mid-range fighters, and long-range snipers. The biggest differences come from the hero units, which each have several special attacks and abilities. For example, the Necron Nefershad skill allows them to revive all units even after they’ve been knocked down (Necrons require a final blow to be fully defeated). I’m eager to see how these differences are developed further in the full game, as promotional screenshots suggest a wider range of variation will be present.
The most noticeable difference between the factions in this demo was how they used their special abilities. Adeptus Mechanicus lets you choose whether or not to activate a unit’s power-up, giving its attacks a boost. Based on this brief look, it seems there’s no real reason *not* to use these abilities, as you consistently have enough points to activate them for all your units.
The Necrons have a unique system called “Dominion” that automatically builds up during the game. As it increases, they gain new abilities and improve their attacks. For instance, at Dominion level 4, their Flayed One unit does extra damage when attacking from behind, and at level 8, it always attacks twice, no matter how much health the enemy has left. This benefit also extends to the Necron hero unit, making it a strong advantage.
Overall, the Mechanicus II demo looks fantastic. The unit models are incredibly detailed – some of the best I’ve seen in a Warhammer game – and the lighting and visual effects are very well done, though the animations are decent. The sound design is exactly what you’d expect – not particularly outstanding, but not poor either. In terms of how it presents itself, Mechanicus II is a strong offering.
Overall, this game isn’t quite the standout title I was hoping for. While I’m more excited about other recent previews like MENACE and Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era, I think Warhammer 40,000 fans, especially those interested in the Adeptus Mechanicus, will likely enjoy it. Personally, I’m still waiting to see how the strategic elements play out before I can decide if it’s the right game for me.
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2025-10-06 18:43