Space Hulk is a game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, based on a board game of the same name. If Full Control's aim was to re-create the board game in video game format, they definitely achieved it. It has the feel of a board game, with the look of a video game.
This game truly feels like a board game. We have the dice roll values being shown, a grid-based map, and tactical combat. I can't really explain in words very well, but the game just feels exactly like a board game would, minus the dice rolling and manually picking up figures to move. Space Hulk accurately captures that feeling while making great use of the advantages that using a computer of modern science gives.
The combat is fairly simple, consisting of dice rolls to see if a kill happens. There is ranged combat and melee combat, with other special actions available to make. Each mission will be randomly difficult, as only the god of dice will know your luck. Well, in this case, pray the RNG is on your side. Space Hulk is a fairly difficult game, leaving us to work hard for our wins by making the most of your moves. There are 3 difficulties that can ease your burden or weigh you down, but ultimately the tactics employed will determine if your Terminators are victorious or not.
In Space Hulk, selecting a unit shows a simple interface with all the data you'd need about a unit, in addition to a really neat feature. On the screen is a smaller screen, and it shows video feed direct from the selected units POV. It just gives that added feel to being an outside force, looking into the lives of the game's characters. This little camera doesn't have any purpose other than being a cool feature, and that is absolutely fine with me. Whenever some kind of exciting action happens, there's a little bit of an action cam that shows off the units. It would have been really awesome if it was more polished.
Now that the praise is out with, I need to say that this game could do with more polishing. The animations aren't great, clicking stuff doesn't feel perfect and easy, and the audio is a little lacking. The core gameplay is fine, Space Hulk will keep any fan of the board game very happy. The campaign is great, all the missions are very interesting to play through, but there isn't much of a story to speak of. The intro cinematic gives us a little bit of background, but everything afterwards leaves us feeling like there could have been some grand storytelling here that just didn't happen. It's really faithful to the board game in that aspect, but something more of an introduction to each mission than a simple voiced mission briefing would have been nice.
Multiplayer is also available in hotseat and online modes, allowing you to play as the Genestealers or the Blood Angels. Hotseat is pretty self-explanatory, you make a move and your friend right next to you makes theirs. Online however is one turn at a time, and you don't know if your opponent is sitting there waiting for every move you make or if they've logged off and are currently elsewhere. You make your move, and then you have to wait for your opponent to make theirs. Having a live match option would have been a really great feature for this kind of game.
As a truly faithful recreation of the board game in video game format, it excels. It's a great game for any fans, as this would be exactly what they are looking for. As a video game on it's own, it doesn't stand all that tall. A high price point mixed with an unpolished game that, while quite challenging and enjoyable, is fairly basic and is not a good combination.
6.5/10
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