Another Worthy Game in the Universe! Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus 2 Turn-Based Tactics Preview

Exploring the demo version of Mechanicus 2 evokes only positive emotions. The sequel to the best game in the Warhammer 40,000 universe not only boasts updated graphics but also allows you to play as the Necron race. It depends solely on the player's mood whether they will steal and craft in the name of the Omnissiah or destroy all living things for the dynasty of skeletal robots.

On the planet Hecateus 4, events standard for the Warhammer 40,000 universe unfold: the Adeptus Mechanicus have unearthed a Necron tomb and decided to engage in archaeology—that is, simply take all the technologies they find. An old acquaintance named Scaevola sets out to conquer the narrow corridors of the tomb, where her colleagues have already frolicked. The presence of strangers has awakened the grumpy masters, who are not at all happy with the new company. And now this little excursion threatens the death of all living things on the surface of the planet and beyond.

But who are these mysterious Adeptus Mechanicus, and why is marauding in Necron territory such a bad idea? Let's tell you now!

Adeptus Mechanicus

The career of most future Tech-Priests begins with men and women of the Imperium who experience a special reverence and excitement when working with technology. A full-fledged Tech-Priest takes them under his mechadendrite and teaches them the wisdom of worshiping the Omnissiah – the Machine God and one of the faces of the Emperor (officially).

New Tech-Priests take on an extensive front of work. They can alter planets to suit the needs of the Imperium, study xenos (aliens) and various forms of flora and fauna, and create weapons and ammunition for the front. Successes and promotions are accompanied by the replacement of fleshy parts with metallic "true flesh." Over time, a person gets rid of such weaknesses as emotions, the need to eat, drink, and breathe. High-ranking Mechanicus lose humanity and gender, becoming ideal conductors of the will of the Omnissiah.

Full-fledged Tech-Priests sacredly honor mechanisms. Any attempt by laymen to change or refine the things given to them incurs their wrath, for this contradicts the design of the Omnissiah. The catch is that most Mechanicus are imaginative when it comes to the question of "What is the will of the Omnissiah"? Some adhere to traditional views, while others believe that all technology is the providence of the Omnissiah – including xenos crafts. And they must requisition the mechanisms held hostage by barbarians. That is why kleptomaniacs in red and white robes love to climb into the tombs of high-tech Necrons.

Necrons

Millions of years before the events of Warhammer 40,000, the Necrons were a miserable race called the Necrontyr, doomed to death by their own star. Solar radiation turned their bodies into short-lived vessels that constantly experience agony. And even changing the planet did not help with the scourge.

The Necrontyr, who hated all living things, declared war on the race of the Ancients and made an alliance with cosmic vampires, who, with their help, acquired bodies and became known as the C'tan. The C'tan enclosed the Necrontyr in metal shells—thereby turning them into Necrons and making them their involuntary slaves. The Necrons who retained their will revolted against their gods, tore them to pieces, and changed the balance of power. In the lore of the "forty-thousandth," the C'tan are slaves of the Necrons. Realizing that they were surrounded on all sides, the Necrons fell into hibernation in their tombs until the galaxy became suitable for conquest again (read: until everyone dies out or weakens).

Sixty million years later, the Necrons began to awaken in the grim reality of Warhammer 40,000. Legions of involuntary warriors began to destroy all living things in their path, and if their shells could be destroyed, it only delayed the inevitable. The warriors are commanded by men and women from the noble persons of the distant past who have retained their will. The nobility obeys dynasties that are trying to build their own empires and pursue unique goals. Dynasties use incomprehensible technologies from the time of the War in Heaven—a conflict so global that the Horus Heresy looks like a brawl in a bar in its background.

It is worth noting that the Necron retcon is one of the few good changes from Games Workshop. This faction started out as evil mechanical skeletons that destroyed everything in their path. The updated Necron lords have emotions and many nuances. What is worth only Trazyn the Infinite, whose adventures can be considered comedic gold!

Updated Gameplay

The demo version features a prologue that is divided into two halves. In the prologue, the player will again have to travel through the Necron tomb and make choices that affect the conditions of subsequent battles.

One half is dedicated to the Adeptus Mechanicus. Scaevola, driven by greed and curiosity, penetrates deeper and deeper into enemy territory. The success of the first part made it possible not to save on voice actors, thanks to which Scaevola communicates not only in binary but also in Gothic (English) familiar to humans.

In battle, the Mechanicus have not undergone significant changes. At the beginning, you need to deploy your cohort to destroy enemies. The Mechanicus are able to use cognition points, which allow them to activate powerful abilities and increase the number of movement points. The main innovation was Scaevola herself, who from an advisor turned into a full-fledged fighter – her fighting skills are worthy of respect!

The second half is dedicated to the Necrons. To look at the situation will allow from the point of view of Nefershakh – the wargard of the phaerons. The tomb defender looked at the Adeptus Mechanicus and said "fie, parasites." She began to exterminate the invaders in order to protect her phaerons and prepare the awakening warriors for conquests in the glory of the Sanhotep dynasty.

The game will allow you to try out the Necrons, with whom you had to fight in the first part. Immortal warriors move slowly, and their firing range is inferior to the Mechanicus. This disadvantage is compensated by reinforcements that can appear near enemies. Defeated warriors will return over time if you do not allow the enemy to finish them off. Dealing damage to the enemy increases the level of dominion, which unlocks additional types of weapons and skills. The longer the Necrons "live" – the higher the level of dominion, and the sadder the situation for others.

Fact from the World of Cruel Galaxies

By the way, against the background of the release of the demo on the Internet, a whole scandal broke out among fans of Warhammer 40,000. Like, how is it that the Necrons are represented by a female individual who talks about herself as a woman! Another attempt at "agenda" has reached Warhammer?! As already written above — among the Necrons, when reborn into iron immortal skeletons, there were both men and women. Nefershakh is not their first representative.

The most famous Necron woman is Xuna'Bakir, bearing the title "Mother of Oblivion." She is a phaerakh (the female equivalent of phaerons) of the Maynarkh dynasty and rules one of the most brutal Necron dynasties, known for its obsession with destroying all living things. In addition to her, other high-ranking Necron women are mentioned in the official lore: a female cryptek appears in the novel "Devourer", and another phaerakh appears in the book "Ghost Warrior" from the "Rise of the Ynnari" series.

And purely statistically: about half of all Necrons should be female.

Diagnosis

What I saw in the demo version evokes purely positive emotions. The updated appearance, plot, mechanics, characters, voice acting – everything is done at a high level. And the divine music that returned from the first part is the icing on the cake. There is every chance that Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus 2 will become another masterpiece in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

The only doubt is the technical component. In the prologue, I did not encounter lags or bugs, but the loading speed of the levels leaves much to be desired.