Necromunda: Underhive Wars stands out as a turn-based tactical strategy game set in the grim Warhammer 40,000 universe, focusing on gang warfare in the dystopian underhive of Necromunda. This PC title combines action and strategy elements, where you command customizable gangs through intense, terrain-driven battles. The Gangs Bundle edition expands your options with additional factions, enhancing the core experience for those drawn to deep customization and tactical depth.
Gameplay
In this game, you manage a gang of fighters, each with unique skills and equipment that you develop over time. Battles unfold in a hybrid system using movement points and action points, allowing free third-person movement across detailed environments rather than a strict grid. You exploit the terrain by climbing walkways, setting traps, and ambushing enemies to gain advantages in gunfights or melee clashes. Customization plays a central role, as you loot gear, learn new abilities, and specialize members to fit your strategy, creating a loop of progression and adaptation in hazardous underhive settings.
The mechanics emphasize tactical positioning and resource management, with persistent injuries and gang evolution adding layers of consequence to every decision. Combat involves careful planning, as actions like overwatch or suppression can turn the tide, rewarding players who think several moves ahead.
Game Modes
The game offers a narrative campaign that immerses you in the underhive's lore, guiding your gang through story-driven missions against rival groups. This mode builds your team's strength progressively, blending single-player storytelling with tactical challenges.
For competitive play, four-way online gang fights let you battle other players or AI in multiplayer or solo setups. These matches support up to four gangs clashing simultaneously, creating chaotic yet strategic encounters that test your builds and tactics in real time.
Factions and Customization
Core factions include Escher, known for agility and chemical prowess; Goliath, emphasizing brute strength and resilience; and Orlock, focused on disciplined firepower and mining heritage. The Gangs Bundle adds Van Saar, with advanced tech and energy weapons, and Cawdor, bringing fanatical zeal and improvised armaments to the mix.
Customization extends beyond factions, letting you tweak individual fighters with skills, weapons, and gear earned through gameplay. This system encourages experimentation, as you adapt your gang to counter specific threats or exploit environmental features in battles.
Is It Worth Playing?
If you enjoy turn-based tactics with heavy customization and a dark sci-fi setting, this game delivers a solid foundation, especially for Warhammer fans. It has mixed player reception, with 55 percent positive reviews from over 2,000 English-language assessments, often praising the depth of gang progression while noting issues like AI inconsistencies and technical glitches.
The title remains available on PC without ongoing seasons or major updates since its 2020 release, but its core loop holds up for those seeking strategic depth over polished execution. Solo players might appreciate the campaign's narrative pull, while multiplayer enthusiasts could find value in the four-way fights, though community activity has waned. Overall, it suits dedicated tactics gamers willing to overlook some rough edges for the unique underhive warfare experience.
