Warhammer and Warhammer 40 000 have spawned some amazing video games over the years, and some games that are ….not so amazing. I have been feeling frustrated with the recent output of videogames lately, with a lack of diversity in the titles being released. Too many adaptations try to just adapt the strategy game elements and as seen in Aeronautica Imperialis: Flight Command, it does not always translate best to the video game format. The we have the other side with titles like Space Marine giving fans something different and exciting, and now we have Dakka Squadron.
Dakka Squadron is an aerial dogfighting game starring the Orks and is one of the best video game adaptations of 40K so far. This game is extremely faithful to the lore of 40K, and to the Orks specifically, and is a treat for fans of that faction. Dakka Squadron replicates both minor details of Ork lore, and major ones as well, and brings them in as game mechanics. This means that yes, Orks with red planes go faster and the yellow ones are “shootier”. This is reflected in the characters you choose, so there is a variety of playstyles you can enjoy.
If you played the demo for Dakka Squadron, you only received a small portion of what the game has to offer, There is a great campaign mode here that will take you across various worlds of the galaxy. There is a great variety of enemies to fight and settings to find yourself in, with appearances from other 40K races showing up when you may not expect them to. Some of the various locations surprised me, but I really appreciate the choices for locales, as they highlight more of the universe of 40K and what it has to offer.
The game has some great voice acting and the dialogue is appropriately Orky, but it can get a bit repetitive at times. The music is amazing though, and has some of the best tunes for an aerial dogfighting game so far. It fits the Orks well, and It was a nice touch. It is not just the audio that feels proper Orky either, but the excellent visuals do so as well. The game looks amazing, but is also a great representation of the Ork designs in 40K, and as someone who started off playing Orks in 40K, before adding more armies, this is a great thing to see. There are also a number of small nods to the lore such as the Grots working on the ships in between missions, or just selecting various options. The Grots also have amusing things happen to them as well, which fits with the humor of the Orks as well.
In terms of gameplay, Dakka Squadron feels like a cross between titles like Crimson Skies and Ace Combat, but not as refined. The lack of refinement is not a bad thing though, as it feels right for this game. The only real issue is that the controls do take a little bit of time to get the hang of, but the game gets really fun once you do. The combat feels great here, and its a nice touch that the damage is conveyed visually. This game is not going for any realistic styles of gameplay and that is the right move. You can ram your plane into other planes and keep flying without issue, and it makes sense to have a different take on physics here. The Orks technology works the way it does, because they believe it does, and what enough Orks believe is real will become real. As such, ends up playing like an Ork game should.
The game has some great online play, and there are options for up to 60 players to join in on multiplayer battles. I encountered no issues, and had a blast the entire time. There are a number of other options for the online modes, and this does not feel like something added as an afterthought. It does need a bit of refinement here and there, but overall I really did have a good time with the online.
Dakka Squadron is a video game I didn’t realize I wanted for a long time. It is something different from Warhammer 40K and offers some needed variety. You may not like how some enemies are damage sponges, but the overall experience is solid. I highly recommend checking this one out, as you will not regret it. Phosphor Games Studio did a great job here, and that is to be commended.
Reviewed on PC