Written by Alexander O. Cuaycong and Anthony L. Cuaycong
Title: Warhammer: Chaosbane
Developer: Eko Software
Publisher: NACON SA
Genre: Action, Adventure, RPG
Price: $39.99
Warhammer: Chaosbane is, at its core, a solid title. While its release didn’t do much to reinvent the action-role-playing-game genre, its solid mechanics combine with its grim and dark – if familiar – Warhammer backdrop to provide a worthwhile experience of combat, exploration, and adventure. It was already a standout on the Sony PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Xbox One. Now, it finds a home on the PS5 and Xbox Series X, and, with better hardware to leverage, it goes for the fences with even harder swings and rounds the bases with aplomb.
For starters, Warhammer: Chaosbane runs much, much better on current-generation consoles, taking full advantage of cutting-edge specs to provide a visceral experience of frenetic splendor. Whether hacking through mobs or weaving spells in between timely dodges, gamers are treated to intense eye and ear candy, all thanks to its superior rendition on the PS5. The upgrades might not seem like much in the face of its invariably engrossing gameplay, but its capacity to maintain high graphical fidelity at a crisp, smooth 60 frames per second pays off in spades. It loves to bask in its atmosphere, and it is amply rewarded. From the dark, dank fortifications of Nuln to chaos-infested sewers and far flung winter wastes, its Warhammer origins shines through at its core.
As earlier noted, Warhammer: Chaosbane’s gameplay is topnotch. Gamers get to pick from among a handful of characters – the robust imperial soldier Konrad Vollen, the lithe wood-elf scout Elessa, the illustrious high-elf mage Prince Elontir, and the frenzied slayer Bragi Axebiter – and find their way around and through Chaos’ minions. The characters’ appearances may not be fully customizable, but skill progression and unique traits more than make up for the absence of the feature. All characters play differently, emphasizing different approaches when it comes to doing battle and feeling punchy and satisfying to use – from employing powerful sweeping attacks to using magical spells that bounce off walls. There’s a calm grace to the wood-elf scout’s dodges, especially when combined with her magical arrows, while there’s a more primal feeling in the slayer’s deadly thrusts. And while these are really mostly set dressing (after all, a typical soldier’s sweep attack fulfills almost the same function as the slayer’s), it’s the strict adherence to the Warhammer setting that enables it to double down on the fun factor.
Make no mistake; Games Workshop has been rather lax with its use of the Warhammer intellectual property, and not all games in the Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 franchises have been good, or even interesting. In developing Warhammer: Chaosbane, however, Eko Software has paid proper respect to the source material, pulling lore characters straight from its rulebooks and crafting stories around their existence. Gamers will meet named characters from the Warhammer fiction, interact with the Warhammer Fantasy’s known heroes, and face off against some of its worst monsters and villains. They’ll travel the Warhammer Fantasy’s world, explore its blasted settings, and find themselves immersed by the stories that unfold. If a game can be judged by atmosphere alone, then Warhammer: Chaosbane cannot but be a classic.
For the avowed fan of the Warhammer franchise who loves hack-and-slash offerings, Warhammer: Chaosbane on the PS5 is a godsend, and a definite must-buy. It’s a smooth, fun experience that promises keen attention to its setting that few other Warhammer games can approximate. For the average action RPG lover, it may prove to be less enticing. Still, it’s a cautious recommendation at worst. It may not be innovative, but it’s certainly entertaining and engaging, and a prime example of how exceptional use of a current-generation platform can do wonders.
THE GOOD
- Keen attention to detail in regard to the Warhammer setting
- Fun action and exploration mechanics, especially when combined with responsive controls and unique characters
- Appealing amount of content that enriches the Warhammer lore
THE BAD
- Nothing new or innovative, with other action RPGs feeling similar to it combat-wise
- Occasional bugs
- Solid, but can come off as a run-of-the-mill, repetitive hack-and-slash offering
RATING: 8/10
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