Eisenhorn: XENOS PC Preview by BoxCatHero
Genre: Action, Adventure
Developer: Pixel Hero Games Publisher: Pixel Hero Games
Release Date: May 2016
First thing about this review is it’s a first look at the game and not representative of the final product, as the version of the game available is a beta version. From Pixel Hero Games comes Eisenhorn: XENOS, a third person action/adventure game based in the expansive Warhammer 40,000 universe from GamesWorkshop. They draw their inspiration for the story of the game from the first book of the popular Eisenhorn book trilogy by Dan Abnett. The game takes the story of the first book, Xenos, and brings it to life in all its splendor. It has made me, someone who has not read the series, want to go pick it up and read it. The story follows the titular character Gregor Eisenhorn as he goes about his duties as an Inquisitor of Ordos Xenos. An Ordos, for the non-40k knowledgeable people, is basically an Order or a Faction.
First thing I can definitely say about the game is that it is absolutely beautiful graphics-wise, and makes me wish I had a better PC to enjoy it in its full glory. The wonderful thing about the visual goodness the game brings to the table is that it gives a feel for how massive the Warhammer 40k universe truly is. Let’s move onto mechanics for the game for now, and I will revisit graphics later on. One of the major mechanics of the game is the combat rhythm system which is somewhat a QTE (or Quick Time Event) system, it relies on timing your attacks to perform combos. By timing it right you use less actions points, which is the stamina for the game. One thing I am glad about the combat system is if you’re using melee attacks, there are finishing move animations which occur sometimes when you kill an enemy, and they are absolutely gorgeous.
Main reason I say this is because if they have put chain swords into the game it is going to make me a very very happy man as they are one my favorite weapons from the 40k universe. Getting back onto the topic of mechanics and gameplay, while starting the game I had an issue with my controller not working correctly with the game. Now I believe this error is on my end, and after re-calibrating the controller within the options menu it seemingly worked perfectly for the most part. As I was playing the game I was switching back and forth between the KBM (keyboard and mouse) and game controller trying out both input devices and they came out relatively evenly. With that said, I will advise everyone who does get the game to make sure to adjust the camera sensitivity to suit your personal taste.
Reason for me saying this is the fact I had it on the default settings and it was oversensitive to me so I had to adjust it accordingly. Other than my controller acting up and having to adjust the sensitivity of the camera, I had no issues with the gameplay at all. I can say they do a good job with the tutorial mission and teaching you how to play the game. Let’s revisit the graphics of the game along with the audio for the game now. As I stated earlier the game is beautifully rendered graphics-wise and gives you a feel for the massiveness of the 40k universe. What I had not said was about how finely tuned it was, down to the way the characters look and move. One such example is the faces of the character show such detail down to the creasing around the eyes. Let’s move onto the audio which is as amazing as the graphics to me.
From what I can tell the narration that occurs in the game is done by the main character who is voiced by Mark Strong, who voiced Captain Titus in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine previously. The music and sound otherwise set the tone very well for the universe the game is set in perfectly. Final thoughts on the game as it is in its current state is that it is well worth the projected price of $24.99 for pc, with the deluxe edition being $34.99. The deluxe edition will contain the game, soundtrack, and a specifically made Digital Artbook. One other thing that makes it worth it is apparently all future dlc is included in the price of the game on steam.
Score and more coming in the future with the full review after release.
For Great Justice,
BoxCatHero
The cat with a box that brings Vigilante justice to video games.
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