Deal | Like XCOM, but darker: 89%-positive strategy game drops to $1.50 from $30 on Steam

Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus was released in November 2018 and normally costs around $29. As part of the Steam Autumn Sale, however, the title from Bulwark Studios and Kasedo Games is currently receiving its first 95% discount (according to SteamDB), temporarily bringing the price down to $1.44. Anyone who enjoys turn-based tactical games like XCOM and doesn't mind the Warhammer franchise should find plenty to enjoy here – even on a handheld. Mechanicus is Steam Deck Verified.

In Mechanicus, players take control of an expeditionary force of the Adeptus Mechanicus – a technologically advanced faction of the Imperium. Led by Magos Dominus Faustinius, the expedition heads to the Necron planet Silva Tenebris to recover long-forgotten technologies. However, the Tech-Priests soon encounter an ancient threat. Decisions made during the campaign influence how the story unfolds, the fate of the crew and ultimately the ending.

In terms of gameplay, Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus features turn-based tactical combat that is fundamentally reminiscent of XCOM, but introduces its own mechanic in the form of “Cognition.” This resource can be collected through certain actions during battles and then spent on additional movement or attacks. This means that good positioning is just as important as efficiently managing action points and deciding when accumulated Cognition is best spent. Mechanicus also includes a few RPG elements: Players can specialize their Tech-Priests through multiple skill trees and equip them with different weapons, implants and abilities.

German gaming magagizne GameStar awarded Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus 79 out of 100 points, praising not only the tactical combat and flexible development of the Tech-Priests but also the story and atmospheric portrayal of the Warhammer universe. The balancing is said to be less successful, however. Particularly later in the game, powerful builds can make battles significantly easier, especially since the enemy AI reportedly isn't particularly challenging to begin with. According to GameStar, the mission objectives could also have offered more variety. Steam players don't seem particularly bothered by these issues: Around 89% of the roughly 15,000 reviews are positive.

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