Space Hulk Ascension

 PC
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. Vandal
    Dec 1, 2014
    85
    It manages to take a step forward from the previous episode, and becomes one of the most faithful adaptations of the Warhammer universe.
  2. GameWatcher
    Nov 17, 2014
    85
    With some of the most nerve-shredding strategy you can engage in and a real embarrassment of riches when it comes to content, Space Hulk Ascension’s niggles aren’t nearly enough to derail it from being both the best Space Hulk title and one of the better turn-based strategy titles available right now.
  3. Pelit (Finland)
    Dec 15, 2014
    83
    The game lacks proper storytelling and has a clunky user-interface. Still, it’s very faithful to the original Space Hulk board game which is always a plus. [Dec 2014]
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  5. Hardcore Gamer
    Jan 3, 2015
    80
    Space Hulk: Ascension Edition is the more complete and refined version of 2013’s title bearing the same namesake.
  6. GameOver.gr
    Dec 19, 2014
    80
    Full Control revisits the “Space Hulk” franchise by improving the game in every possible field. Deep tactical turn based battle approach, interesting unit customisation, true to the tabletop source material design and a claustrophobic atmosphere deliver an excellent game.
  7. Multiplayer.it
    Nov 23, 2014
    80
    The new edition of Space Hulk is a rich and compelling turn based strategy game. Multiplayer support is gone but we got three full campaigns in return.
  8. Ragequit.gr
    Mar 8, 2015
    78
    Space Hulk: Ascension Edition achieves its goal of enriching last year's effort in terms of gameplay and single player content. It's definitely a worthwhile purchase provided that you are willing to accept some of the game's idiosyncrasies that stem from Space Hulk's board game roots.
  9. PC Games
    Dec 23, 2014
    76
    The Ascension edition of Space Hulk is better than its predecessor in every regard. The tactical gameplay opens up a lot of opportunities and the Warhammer-atmosphere is well-made. Its presentation is still a bit barren though and we miss the hot-seat-multiplayer of the first Space Hulk.
  10. PC PowerPlay
    Mar 6, 2015
    70
    A proper video game adaptation of a great boardgame - at last! [March 2015, p.62]
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  11. Eurogamer Italy
    Dec 1, 2014
    70
    Space Hulk Ascension is a faithful port of the famous board game with some new additions in the RPG ballpark that make the game both fun and interesting for tactical players. Too bad for the presentation issues that keep the game away from true awesomeness and don't do justice to the wonderfully crafted world of Warhammer 40k.
  12. GameSpot
    Nov 18, 2014
    70
    Space Hulk: Ascension rises to the challenge by preserving the spirit and most of the mechanics of the original board game, while still expanding on the design to embrace its new home on the PC.
  13. Riot Pixels
    Feb 26, 2015
    68
    The developers did not fix all the flaws of the original game, but still, they righted a lot of wrongs.
  14. games(TM)
    Jun 1, 2015
    40
    What's truly disappointing is that there are seeds of greatness here. [Issue#161, p.94]

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 33
  3. Negative: 6 out of 33
  1. firemoth
    Jan 20, 2015
    9
    This a very solid improvement over the original Space Hulk Game and has made some very positive tweaks and upgrades to squads where you canThis a very solid improvement over the original Space Hulk Game and has made some very positive tweaks and upgrades to squads where you can upgrade team members and equipment/ wargear, it means you can adjust your style of play by having some of you team who are good at shooting and some good at melee combat.

    Pros...Decent graphics, well thought out controls with options of how to fire, a nice RPG element addition to the game, good thinking man's game. A very polished performance.

    Cons...Controlling the terminators is a little tricky at first, would like a little more speech from the terminators other than a few basic phrases but I am being super picky there.

    My review is this game on Steam is great value for money and well worth the money as it is fun and entertaining.    … Full Review »
  2. nulldiver
    Nov 13, 2014
    8
    Full Control's previous Space Hulk release was an authentic (if uninspired) interpretation of the original game — a digital version of a gameFull Control's previous Space Hulk release was an authentic (if uninspired) interpretation of the original game — a digital version of a game best suited to cardboard. With Ascension, however, the developer has managed to update the game's mechanics for the medium while still remaining true to the spirit of the source material. This results is a relatively modern* turn-based tactical shooter that is still unmistakably "Space Hulk".

    My only hesitation in recommending this game is being slightly uncertain about the desired audience. For SH purists, the changes to gameplay may feel unnecessary... perhaps even sacrilegious. On the other hand, for gamers unfamiliar with the genre, the brutality and difficulty of the game may be a turnoff. Ascension probably has something meaningful to offer both groups — it may just involve players checking their expectations at the door.

    *relatively modern = both mechanically, and visually — although this is unmistakably an indie production. IT plays well and looks good... not AAA good, but good.    … Full Review »
  3. TheWaffle
    Dec 18, 2014
    5
    I keep hoping that GW's 40k ports to video games will exceed expectations, unfortunately this is another one that falls short. Space HulkI keep hoping that GW's 40k ports to video games will exceed expectations, unfortunately this is another one that falls short. Space Hulk Ascension costs as much as XCOM: Enemy Within, but XCOM offers an immersive and expansive turn-based strategy game that thrills at every stage of the game. Space Hulk is a glorified board game, that is literally and figuratively 2-dimensional. The backstory and graphics are great, but the game falls flat, sticking to the old narrow hallways and single floor. We're told that we're stalking the halls of ancient space ships filled with dangerous aliens and mystical artifacts, but every map looks exactly the same and there are still just a few basic mechanics and interactions. Where XCOM provides a wide array of weapons, base building, team building, and strategic choices, Space Hulk gives you lack-luster choices of close combat weapons that are essentially all the same, and slightly different firing modes for your guns. I would've liked more distinction between the classes, more varied weapons options (even if they departed from the table top equivalent). And while using action points to turn and back up might be important to the game, they're ultimately unexciting pieces of gameplay as the game devolves into a $40 game of tower defense. It also is poorly optimized, slowing my 2014 desktop even on moderate graphical settings, despite the unremarkable graphical demands of the game (2/3rd of the screen is blank!)… Full Review »
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