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PREVIEWS

Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate

DEVELOPER : Random Ganes
PUBLISHER : SSI
RELEASE DATE : Nov. 1998

Games Workshop, the creators of the Warhammer series of table-top miniature warfare, have for sometime now attempted to bring the Warhammer world to the PC. Having met mixed reviews with Space Hulk, Warhammer Fantasy and Epic 40K, they now attempt the mother core of the Warhammer empire. That is, Warhammer 40,000.

The table-top version of Warhammer 40K presents two opposing armies, resplendent with troopers of various capabilities and gothic war vehicles screaming across the landscape. What we have here with Chaos Gate is meant not to re-create normal 40K, but present a squad level, turn-based tactical module. This means that vehicles, you get at most two, but usually none, are present merely as a support role.

The Space Marines are represented by various chapters, some good at hand-to-hand combat, some with incredible armor, others better with weapons of mass destruction. Part of the strategy is to listen closely to your mission objectives and pick the suitable team. As a bonus, Psyker units are included. Psykers are warriors with psychic abilities that use these powers to destroy the enemy. Unfortunately, our preview copy did not have this unit available.

The game comes down to you starting off with your soldiers spread out in a line. You shoot the enemy and move. There are structures that need levers pulled in order to enter them. The graphics were good, but the gameplay seemed to have something missing. There was not enough variety in what you could make them do. We shall see in our upcoming review whether they have addressed this issue in the final version.

The missions are strung along a campain setting, pitting your Space Marines against the hordes of Chaos. Chaos units represent various demon mythos within the Warhammer world. After the completion of each mission, you are presented with an FMV to carry the sinister plot along. Single scenarios, mulitplayer mayhem, and a level editor will all be included.

But once again, those thinking this is a PC version of the table-top game will be sourly disappointed. This is not what it is meant to be. It comes off more like X-Com in the Warhammer world, albeit with better vehicles and Psyker units. Chaos Gate is expected in stores by the end of Novmember.

Features

Battle Chaos Space Marines and their demonic hordes across the galaxy in a Campaign of 15 linked scenarios or use the Random Mission Generator to gain experience and power for your Ultramarines.

Create and Customize a squad from a Space Marine contingent of 50 different soldiers, each with unique characteristics and capabilities – including Terminators, Assault Troopers and Devastatator Squads.

Command the vehicles of the Warhammer Ž 40,000 universe: Predator tanks, Rhino APCs, Land Speeders and Dreadnoughts.

Engage in furious hand-to-hand combat – even fly across the battlefield using assault packs. Each Space Marine performs over 40 unique actions (25 MB of animation per soldier)

Marvel at the glorious 3D-rendered weapon effects including flamers, missile launchers, plasma guns, lascannons, vortex grenades, heavy vehicle weapons and a full psyker combat system.

See the explosive action unfold in the isometric field of view. The phased combat system puts the control in your hands.

Build custom missions with the extremely flexible Mission Editor or create random missions and play them in single or multiplayer mode.

Wage multiplayer mayhem via network or the internet with up to 4 players.

Previewed by A. Sage