Graphics and conclusion
GRAPHICS
Graphically, the Warhammer: MOC team have worked extensively with the Games Workshop team to provide an unprecedented amount of detail that stays true to the Warhammer franchise and sublime art-work. Most noticeable is the level of detail in the buildings. They wanted to bring the fantasy to life of how Chaos and Empire buildings would look and have now achieved a level of design that even the eagle eyed Games Workshop staff are raving about.
From the sumptuous pastoral lands to the meticulously detailed soldiers every effort has been utilised to capture the spirit and feel of the Warhammer genre. By zooming in, to view battles close-up, you’ll see all of the fine detail. Indeed, Bandai Namco are thinking about adding further enhancements to the fighting visuals by enabling body parts that shoot off in all directions should they be hit with a powerful weapon such as a cannon.
Click for larger imageThe sound and music of Warhammer: MOC accompanies the game’s narrative with style and flamboyance. From the cavernous boom of cannons, to the effervescent fizz of a spell being cast, the wholesome sound effects accurately embrace the feel of a dramatic battle. The musical score runs alongside the storyline and shifts a gear during certain scenarios, from big upbeat chorus numbers to sweet gentle harmonies; the timing seems perfect. Not only this, but each army has a unique musical score ensuring a completely immersive experience.
Click for larger imageCONCLUSION
Table-top gamers will be chuffed with how Warhammer: MOC sticks closely to the I.P. and people who haven’t played the game before will become immersed, as I did, in the whole history and epic scale of the Warhammer world. The game is improving on a weekly basis as the developers listen to the community and often react to their wishes. Every aspect of the gameplay, the look and the feel of this epic adventure, has been painstakingly examined by Games Workshop with a fine toothed comb.
Chris Wren admits that there is an intentional shift towards Chaos in this latest game due to his own passion dating back from his school days where he spent many an hour playing the popular tabletop game. He admits that his dedication to bringing a game that stays true to the Warhammer realm whilst trying to make the game a fun and entertaining experience has occasionally had its stumbling blocks. He relayed a story that would make die-hard fans shiver, as he told us how he wanted to include trolls that could throw rocks in this latest game. As any fanatic devotee will know that ‘Trolls don’t throw rocks!’. You’ll possibly be glad to hear that Chris has appeased the fans and decided that every eentsy-weentsy detail of gameplay, from the look of an army and the maps to the story-line and historical accuracy must be genuine. After all Warhammer hobbyists are amongst the most fanatical, dedicated gamers in the world.
Click for larger imageAfter our chat and walkthrough of some of the features and maps in the latest Warhammer strategy game we had the opportunity to play the tabletop game for real.
Admittedly there was so much to take in that it was often overwhelming, but I did discover that there is something for everyone in this historical game, whether you have a passion for art, enjoy the social aspect of the hobby, or just enjoy games. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have the imagination of our enthusiastic host and can’t actually picture these static battles in your imagination; there was something within the game that intrigued me. I now have a set of Dark Elves, look forward to assembling them and painting them and can’t wait to get my hands on the full PC version of the latest title.
Click for larger imageAfter speaking to a number of Games Workshop staff who have dedicated their lives to the tabletop action game and asked them about their impressions of the latest PC title, they couldn’t have praised it more. These folks who were once sceptical that the videogames world would take something away from their hobby admitted that Warhammer: MOC has added to the fantasy world that they cherish and encompasses everything that is great about their hobby. That’s good enough for me, I'm sold
We’ll have a hands-on preview and review shortly.
Thanks to Koch Media, Senior Producer of Bandai Namco, Chris Wren and all the Games Workshop staff for a memorable day.
Credits : Front page picture courtesy of Warhammer Historical.com