Following a successful debut on Steam in 2022, Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters lands on consoles last month. Now, the quest to hunt down chaos demons alongside the renowned Grey Knights can be experienced on PC, Xbox, or PlayStation. If you've ever dreamed of combining the tactical strategy of XCOM with the ferocity of Space Marines, this is your chance!
Braving the Terror In an almost ironic start, Chaos Gate's first mission places your squad of Grey Knights against a colossal Bloodthirster. However, it soon becomes apparent that the game's main focus lies in hunting down followers of Nurgle, the Lord of Decay, rather than Khorne, the Blood God.
After the tutorial mission, your ship, the Baleful Edict, is seized by a rogue inquisitor seeking to unravel a mysterious message. Soon, the discovery of a new plague in your sector demands your intervention at any cost.
One of Chaos Gate's most captivating aspects is its cinematic atmosphere, without exaggeration. The voice acting is solid, the scenes well-rendered, and the dialogue seamlessly integrates into the universe. Moreover, even in non-story related parts, the intelligent use of camera angles and animations makes simple actions like throwing grenades or opening doors visually impactful. These details elevate the sense of power of your Grey Knights squad, even in the most mundane missions.
Protecting the Empire The majority of time in Chaos Gate is dedicated to ground combat, in turn-based tactical RPG missions scattered throughout the galaxy. The gameplay resembles other turn-based tactical games like XCOM. Initially, you command a squad of 4 Grey Knights, each with 3 Action Points per turn.
These Action Points are crucial for almost all actions in the game, from moving to attacking or using special abilities. After each combat round, or after completely eliminating an enemy force, action points are completely restored. Additionally, the Grey Knights start with a fixed amount of Willpower in each mission, necessary for powerful abilities that are not replenished until the next mission.
Initially, 4 classes are available, each specialized in specific roles. However, each knight is versatile in ranged or melee combat. The Justicar is more resilient, equipped with an Aegis Shield and an option for Terminator Armor. The Apothecary focuses on healing and buffs. The Purgator uses heavy long-range weapons, while the Interceptor specializes in melee combat and possesses a personal teleporter.
Advanced classes such as Purifier, Librarian, Chaplain, and Paladin are unlocked later. The Purifier specializes in firearms, effective against hordes of enemies. The Chaplain provides global buffs for the squad, while the Librarian possesses powerful magical abilities. Lastly, the Paladin is a resilient tank, capable of enduring large amounts of damage and stunning enemies.
Synergy between classes is crucial for success. For example, the Justicar can grant a +3AP buff to an ally, empowering a teleported Interceptor in melee combat. Stun strategies are possible with combinations between the Apothecary, Chaplain, and Paladin, making the attack cycle efficient.
In addition to tactical missions, there is room to upgrade and equip the Grey Knights, research buffs and unique strategies per mission, and improve your ship, which can enhance the received experience or reduce recovery time. However, these additions complement the tactical missions.
Challenges and Repetition One of Chaos Gate's weaknesses is its tendency towards repetition. Often, you'll be dealing with a squad of 4 Grey Knights per mission, with little variation. Although there are nuances between classes, the feeling of monotony persists.
The lack of diversity in weapons, especially in the early parts of the game, contributes to this feeling. Most Knights opt for melee weapons, with similar stats and damage at the beginning. Diversity only becomes more evident with higher-level equipment and upgrades, but this reinforces the fixed roles of each knight.
The limited selection of enemies also contributes to the repetition. Throughout the game, you'll only face followers of Nurgle. Although the variety increases over time, the lack of distinct enemies can become tiresome.
The steep learning curve, even on lower difficulties, is another issue. Higher-level missions can be challenging, especially with a reduced cast and long recovery periods after injuries. Careful squad building becomes essential to overcome these challenges.
Compared to Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, Chaos Gate offers a more focused tactical combat experience, without exploration or RPG elements. If your preference is for direct action and tactical strategy, Chaos Gate is the ideal choice.
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