To celebrate the end of 2021, we are looking back at some of our best articles this year.
Originally published this past June:
When it comes to Warhammer 40K video games, the most common type of game released is some kind of strategy game, which is understandable given that the Tabletop Game is a strategy wargame. However, the abundance of these games often leaves the fanbase wanting, especially since the lore of the game offers many great storytelling opportunities. This is the reason that 40K video games like Space Marine stood out, and why Necromunda: Hired Gun has gained a lot of attention, especially when compared to the previous Necromunda game.
Necromunda: Hired Gun is an FPS game with RPG elements and is based on the Necromunda tabletop game on the eponymous planet in the Warhammer universe. Necromunda is a brutal world where the people live in massive hive cities, with the wealthy living in the upper spites and the lower classes living down below, the underhive is home to many gangs and unsavoury types and is a great setting in which to tell stories. If you are new to Necromunda, I highly recommend checking out the lore video for newcomers on the setting by 40K theories, which you can see here.
Necromunda: Hired Gun sees you take on the role of a bounty hunter in the underhive and reluctantly working with characters from the tabletop game like Kal Jerico in order to track down an enemy. Along the way, players will encounter a number of locations on Necromunda that emphasize the Used Future nature of the setting and the cyberpunk aesthetic of the game. It can be fun to look at everything and see the little details left for fans to spot and enjoy here.
If you are not familiar with Necromunda or Warhammer 40 000 in general, don’t worry as the game does not require players to be familiar with tabletop and can be enjoyed on its own. If you are familiar with Necromunda and 40K in general, however, you will find a lot of enjoyment from the various easter eggs and references to other parts of the lore. These can range from wanted posters, recall notices for weapons, and names dropped by individuals. These, along with the various transports that make appearances can be fun to spot and take notice of for fans.
In terms of gameplay, Necromunda: Hired Gun is an extremely fast-paced shooter that does not hesitate to borrow what works from other games. Dashing in the air, sliding, a version of glory kills, and skill shots are all features that appear here, but there is more. RPG elements are also present in the form of the game’s various upgrade systems and skill lines, as well the world-building interactions with the other characters. These elements are even incorporated into the combat, with critical hits and other combat mechanics from the tabletop game being applied here.
The central hub of Martyr’s End has some interesting aspects as well, such as having characters in the backgrounds discussing various heists and ongoings, as well as individuals selling services. These services are important because you can buy new upgrades for yourself and your weapons at the various vendors including the rouge doc, artificers and more. With the right upgrades, you and your weapons can become very overpowered, and the gameplay will change depending on the skills and upgrades you choose.
You will also be able to use the terminals in Martyr’s End to take on various side missions and contracts once you reach certain points in the game. These add a great amount of replay to the game, and there is a bit of humour to be found in who some of the contracts are given by. In general, there is a nice blend of storytelling and gameplay here, with dark humour that perfectly captures the tone of the tabletop game. The action is intense and fun, and there is a cyber-dog you can call to your side and buy upgrades for as well. And yes, before you ask, you can pet the dog and even get an achievement for doing so.
Before this review turns into nonstop praise, however, there are some negative points that must be brought up as well. The game can feel a bit unpolished at times, with some graphical glitches, gameplay bugs and more showing up as you play. These issues can include some enemies glitching out, as well as attacks not connecting and loading times were an issue. Even on a decent PC, the game struggles to run in some areas and this was frustrating.
There is also another problem in that the level design, while nice-looking, sometimes leave you wondering where the enemies are attacking from and can be a bit frustrating to navigate at certain times. Necromunda: Hired Gun was played on a PC for this review, so no comments can be made with regards to the console versions. However, the developers have already begun to work on patches, and some have started to go out, which is a good sign for the future of the game and improvements coming.
Necromunda: Hired Gun is a game that perfectly captures the spirit of Warhammer 40K and Necromunda, without being completely tied down to it. The various references and mentions of other aspects of the lore don’t feel like they are a turn-off but instead are an invitation to learn more. With a bit more polish and a few patches, this will be one of the best 40K games in a long time and gives fans what they have wanted; a game that explores the setting outside of a strategy game.
The RPG elements are light, but try and replicate not just the tabletop rules, but also bring a sense of familiarity to players of modern western RPGs. The best thing about Necromunda: Hired Gun is probably the humour and the game’s willingness to utterly embrace the source material. For instance, you can rescue individuals only to immediately betray them and kill them for your own amusement and you are able to negotiate by attacking until that skill is improved.
Necromunda: Hired Gun feels like it still has a little bit of work left needed but it is still an amazing game as is. With a good amount of replayability, and hopefully some DLC in the future, this is a game that is a treat for fans and nonfans alike. It is highly recommended and well worth playing for those looking for a new experience in the franchise.
Disclaimer: A review key was provided.