Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2 Review

Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2 is the sequel to the 2016 RTS set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Its predecessor is not just a great strategy game, but also one of the best titles in the franchise, a tough order considering just how many games are set in that series.

So, this follow up has a lot to live up to when you consider the success of the first title. The question is whether it can go one better or if it will fail at the first hurdle.

Story

As previously mentioned, Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2 takes place within the Warhammer 40,000 tabletop universe. However, it isn’t the traditional tabletop experience that most players will be familiar with.

Rather than use individual units on the ground, it focuses on gigantic space battles. Naval warfare provides the opportunity for larger scale battles involving thousands of ships. In the case of Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2, players are not just restricted to watching battles unfold from a distance. You are able to get involved in the action up close and personal, seeing the devastation take place firsthand.

Those who are not entirely familiar with the lore of the series might not fully understand every reference. Yet, the overall narrative is still fairly easy to follow. The story begins at a pivotal event within the Warhammer 40,000 history. The Fall of Cadia marks the moment that a huge seemingly impregnable planet was destroyed by Abbadon.

From here, the story branches across three campaigns that tie together with the events of the first game. Unlike many other RTS games, this story does a good job of engrossing you and getting you to invest in the characters.