The Case

2016 is set to be a big year for Warhammer fans with multiple titles lined up that seek to bring this universe to our screens. It was only a few years ago, with the destruction of THQ, that certain doom for the license was prophesied. Luckily, and in some cases unluckily, the failure of THQ put the Warhammer license up for grabs, with Games Workshop handing it out willy-nilly to anyone that had the cash. Naturally, we go a lot of bad games. Then again, we got quite a few good ones too. Today, we enshrine one of those for eternity to come.

The Trial

Battlefleet Gothic: Armada catapults us into the void, open space, the realm of the Warp, foreign and ever-twisting. We have seen the battles of the Space Marines, the Orks and Traitors on the ground but space was a frontier yet to be conquered. As we noted in our preview, Armada could very well strengthen the Warhammer franchise on the digital market but, naturally, certain emotional restraint is necessary in a preview.  That said, I am jubilant that Armada got it right. First off, the campaign knows what it is doing. Slow to start, a bit on rails, it eventually opens up step by step to present a true warzone, massive and with countless challenges to overcome. Taking the reins of Admiral Spire after his customary torture session with our very own overzealous Inquisitorial friend, it is up to us to prevent the fall of the Gothic to Abaddon The Despoiler, Warmaster of Chaos. Or is it?

Naturally, this is not our only challenge as the Imperial Navy but it presents us with the groundwork of the game. Meeting the Chaos forces head-on, more and more powerful vessels are placed under our command. We are given the tools, but with an extensive upgrade and skillset, it is up to us to mould our forces into a coherent and powerful corps, thrusting them into a colourful and aesthetically loyal visual palette powered by Unreal 4. Combat is fast and intense, with just enough depth to not overburden the average Joe. The ship combat, outside of the obviously satisfying DakkaDakkaDakka, feels great with precise manoeuvring and the most important part of the game: ramming! However, at the same time, in the heat of the moment, the UI often feels a bit loaded, counter-intuitive even, with some obvious options seemingly missing.

Of course, the campaign is only for those who accept the light of the Emperor. Those amongst you that would rather cast your lot with the heretics and Xenos can do so in Skirmish and Multiplayer, game modes that too unlock ships and skills as your experience rises. The Imperial Navy, deploying cathedralesque ships and the traitorous Chaos forces with their computed and derelict vessels, have a relatively straight-forward approach to space combat. Here, the Orks and Eldar bring not only diversity but a nasty surprise to anyone thinking they would be met in a straight-forward firefight.

While only a minor menace during the campaign, in fact I found the Ork and Eldar incursions a bit ‘too’ manageable, both races break what would otherwise be a very monotonous campaign experience. Orks, charging forth recklessly and without a moment’s hesitation, might not be as savvy as your neighbour’s cow, but what they lack in brains they make up with pure aggression. As for the filthy Xenos that are the Eldar, well, be on your guard for as their ships might be fragile, their minds be astute and their weapons sharp.

Meeting all these races in the campaign definitely represents a high point in my experience as one feels besieged from all sides with few friends and no respite. Protecting the Gothic sector is no easy task but it manageable. Incursions from all sides are aplenty but with the right management of resources, it becomes a task that tolls no exuberant burden. If you look for a challenge, consider upping the ante with the ‘Ironman’ mode. Despite this, Battlefleet Gothic: Armada manages to fulfil the most important tasks of all: capturing the Warhammer 40K feel. While I still believe that the emphasis in the dialogues on ‘saving lives’ rather than military or technological assets, does not fit perfectly into my expectations of the Imperium of Mankind, they represent a minor complaint in the otherwise unyielding and dogmatic attitudes at display.

The grit of the Warhammer 40K universe is ever present. Nevertheless, as bombastic sounds, explosions and screams of defiance are the base line, the title has exceptional sound design. As captains panic and attempt to disengage into the warp you hear the sizzling and shrieking of a warp rift opening up, at the same time you the crash of a game changing ram hitting home and the bombastic explosions that seal the fate of the enemy’s fleet. A game profits a lot from a well realized sound scenery, thankful Armada delivers.

The Verdict

Battlefleet Gothic: Armada is a title that deserves to be checked out by any fan of Warhammer 40K or even beyond. It is not only a title for fans of the franchise, but it stands on its own feet while remaining loyal to its roots. With two more races already announced (Space Marine and Tau), it could be worth your time. If only all Warhammer titles were like this.