Review: Warhammer Quest
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Review by Philip Cole
Format Reviewed - iPad
Format Reviewed - iPad
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As those of you who listened to one of our more recent podcasts may know, I am a massive Warhammer 40,000 fan. But before the futuristic Black Crusades and Dark Ages of Technology I was introduced to the world of Games Workshop by my cousin and the rich high fantasy-esque world of Warhammer, in the shape of Warhammer Quest.
While Warhammer and it’s 40,000 equivalent base themselves around huge armies clashing in open fields and cities, Quest is more akin to a typical game of Dungeons and Dragons, albeit watered down to allow for a simpler time. It was the perfect way to get into the hobby as few models are required and everything ships out of the box. That was many moons ago however and alas, the game is no longer available. But rejoice, fair people, for we can once again sally forth into dungeons and caverns to slay evil monsters and collect sweet, sweet loot on our iPads! |
The game is lovingly simple and makes perfect use of its new home. Warhammer Quest is a turn-based RPG and your part of valiant heroes move in a square grid based system that allows them to attack 360 degrees around them (mmm diagonals…). Attacking and moving is a simple matter of tapping on the hero you wish to move, then tapping on the square you wish to action, be it moving or wreaking bloody havoc on your foes (Channel that inner marauder...). if you have a wizard or mage in your party you will also be buffeted by the Winds of Power that will grant your wizard a random number of points to channel into spells, but mighty as these are used the same as you would any other action, tap to select and tap again to confirm.
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And I say “if” above because whilst you start with only four, a Dwarven Ironbreaker, a Wood Elf Waywatcher, a Human Marauder and a Human Grey Wizard, you are able (at £1.99 a piece) to recruit quite the variety of different comrades. From Ogre Ironguts to bepistoled Witchhunters and Elven Arch Mages, there is a lot of variety if you don’t find the original quartet inspiring. However they are by no means essential and I’ve done just fine with the original starting four. There are also two extra areas currently available (each themed around a different enemy, one the Skaven and the other the Savage Orcs) and some generic enemy packs to add some variety to your basement altercations.
No RPG would be complete without hundreds of items that can be used and equipped. Each hero can hold four of each rarity of item, uncommon, rare and legendary (take a guess at which colours are used to represent these - Answers on a postcard). All items fit into one of these three categories and sometimes choices must be made – Do you want to equip that helm which gives an extra wound (health points) or carry a scroll of healing to restore your hero (or his allies!) mid battle? It’s a small thing but it adds a subtle layer of tactics to inventory use. |
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Accessing said inventory is very nicely done. Look for a button somewhere on screen and you will be found wanting - Whilst the dungeons (and towns, but more on that in a minute) are played with the iPad in Landscape view, the inventory requires a deft 90 degree rotation to display in portrait. This prevents the UI from becoming cluttered with unnecessary items and is a very elegant solution that really plays to its host devices’ strengths.
Once equipped, the currently selected item is visible at the bottom of the screen. A simple upwards swipe dims the screen and displays a list of possible options. Again, this helps keep the screen clear and simple.
Once equipped, the currently selected item is visible at the bottom of the screen. A simple upwards swipe dims the screen and displays a list of possible options. Again, this helps keep the screen clear and simple.
Outside of the dim and flickering dungeons there is a nicely done world map that allows you to travel between different towns and villages, picking up quests as you go. Each town you visit, with a nice little animated opening that gives some idea of the town and adds a bit of flavour, has a “story” quest line that you pick up just by going there, as well as three random quests that often reward you with loot and experience.
The town UI acts a hub that allows you to advance your characters training, buy and sell items, visit temples and go adventuring from. It’s a basic premise but does what it needs and journeying between each of them and the dungeons allow for the “random” events, such as fording rivers or dealing with bandits or other encounter, to occur. They are simple little yes/no style interactions but again, add that little bit shine to a game and show how much effort the developer has put in.
Whilst it is only an iOS game and therefore never going to be a graphical powerhouse, the graphics do what they need to and allow you to make our enemies and heroes with clarity. The style is in keeping with the slightly cartoony tone that other Games Workshop iOS titles have used, and I have to say that despite this it still manages to evoke plenty of atmosphere, and the dungeons mirror those of the old miniatures game extraordinarily well. The UI as well has had that touch of polish which blends it seamlessly into the world that is on display, with the menus being backed by worn parchment and other little details.
The town UI acts a hub that allows you to advance your characters training, buy and sell items, visit temples and go adventuring from. It’s a basic premise but does what it needs and journeying between each of them and the dungeons allow for the “random” events, such as fording rivers or dealing with bandits or other encounter, to occur. They are simple little yes/no style interactions but again, add that little bit shine to a game and show how much effort the developer has put in.
Whilst it is only an iOS game and therefore never going to be a graphical powerhouse, the graphics do what they need to and allow you to make our enemies and heroes with clarity. The style is in keeping with the slightly cartoony tone that other Games Workshop iOS titles have used, and I have to say that despite this it still manages to evoke plenty of atmosphere, and the dungeons mirror those of the old miniatures game extraordinarily well. The UI as well has had that touch of polish which blends it seamlessly into the world that is on display, with the menus being backed by worn parchment and other little details.
Wrap Up
Overall the game is a lot of fun, and whilst progressing through the procedurally generated dungeons can start to look a bit samey, the fun of the combat and the lure of loot and experience outweighs this. If you’re looking to replicate a bit of Dungeons and Dragons fun whilst also digging into the Warhammer Fantasy world, or just kill time on the bus, I can definitely recommend it.
Best of all its, at the time of writing, free!
Best of all its, at the time of writing, free!
Rating; 4.5/5
Screenshot Gallery
Game purchased by reviewer
Images obtained from in-game screenshots
Images obtained from in-game screenshots
