What you need to know
- Warhammer: Chaosbane is now available on Xbox One and other platforms.
- You have to purchase the "Magnus" and Deluxe editions to play right now.
- The standard edition launches on June 4.
- You can purchase the game for $80 through the Microsoft Store.
Warhammer: Chaosbane is the first hack-and-slash game to take place in the Warhammer Universe. The title plunges the player into the heart of the "Old World," a continent marked by the "Great War Against Chaos," a bloody conflict which ravaged the "Empire of Men." You can play as a human, a high elf, a wood elf, or a dwarf, and discover iconic locations along the way.
The standard edition of Warhammer: Chaosbane is going to launch on June 4, but if you want early access, you can play the "Magnus" and Deluxe editions right now on Xbox One and PC. The Magnus Edition comes with the season pass and a lot of additional content like emotes, pets, and experience boosts. Multiplayer is also part of the package, so you can slay the "Forces of Chaos" with a couple of friends. The Magnus Edition costs $80 and the Deluxe Edition comes in at $65.
The game features a lengthy campaign, but the levels feel claustrophobic. Unlike the Diablo series, you mostly go from corridor to corridor, fighting hordes of enemies around every turn. This is how you level up because everything is tied to unlocking skills and other "passive" abilities on your way to Level 50. Almost all of the missions feature the same layouts. For example, let's say that in Mission 1, you go from Area 1 to Area 2. However, instead of a new region, in Mission 2 you'll be going from Area 2 to Area 1. It'll just switch the environment around so that it looks like you're in a different area. While this is a great way to minimize the download size, it can be quite jarring to witnesses especially if you encounter the same map for the tenth time.
Warhammer: Chaosbane runs at a locked 60 frames per second (FPS) on Xbox One X. It's unclear if it's Xbox One X Enhanced or simply features an unlocked frame rate across all console platforms. We tested out the game on PlayStation 4 Pro and encountered a number of stutters. Unfortunately, the game appears to only be running at 1080p resolution on both consoles. This gives it a blurry appearance on 4K displays, but given the fact that it's 60 FPS, it looks great in motion. It would've been nice to see a moderate resolution boost to 1440p at least like Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr.
Overall, Warhammer: Chaosbane is a good game, but it would've been better had it featured expansive environments. The Xbox One X support is also lacking because if a game like Diablo III can achieve 4K 60 FPS, the developers could've pushed this game further on Microsoft's new console.
Despite these issues, Warhammer: Chaosbane is a great game and is also garnering good reviews from critics. The different classes are a lot of fun, and you should try the ranged characters first because they're the highlights of the experience.
Hack and slash your way around
In a world ravaged by war and dominated by magic, you are the last hope for the Empire of Man against the Chaos hordes. Playing solo or with up to four players in local or online co-op, choose a hero from four character classes with unique and complementary skills, and prepare for epic battles wielding some of the most powerful artifacts of the Old World.
Xbox accessories you'll love
Every one of these quality accessories is guaranteed to enhance your Xbox experience.
PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller for Xbox One ($20 at Amazon)
PowerA's take on the Xbox One controller is an attractive pickup for budget-conscious gamers that nails all the basics.
Talon PDP Xbox media remote ($20 at Amazon)
The Talon PDP Xbox media remote is great for watching shows on your console.
Xbox One S vertical stand ($10 at Amazon)
Stand your console upright with this accessory.
