Actually, the appointment for Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus 2 at the gamescom 2025 was already canceled. MyMMO editor and Warhammer fan Benedict Grothaus still managed to visit the creators – fortunately. Otherwise, he would have missed a great game from the world of Warhammer 40,000.
Sometimes things just work out. Normally, we plan our appointments for playing sessions, presentations, and interviews at gamescom weeks in advance. Mechanicus 2, which was well received upon announcement was included.
Unfortunately, I had to cancel the appointment. But then other things shifted at short notice, and I suddenly had downtime. After a spontaneous visit to the publisher’s booth, I was actually able to schedule a meeting.
From there on, everything just worked. My partner, who showed me the game: Tony Cross, Senior Producer at Kasedo Games, the publisher. Cross was previously an editor at Games Workshop and is an absolute expert on Warhammer 40,000 – someone I can dive deep into the nerdy material with.
Cross explained to me that the appointment was only possible because he had to forgo his break – at least partially. After careful inquiry, he was visibly relieved not to have to explain to me what exactly a Necron is, and we jumped straight into the game. And it looks really great.
Robo-Zombies against Tech Fanatics, but all in absurd
For those who don’t know the game: Mechanicus is a tactical strategy game in the style of X-COM. You control a few units on a battlefield, use cover and abilities, and must engage in smaller fights. With an overarching campaign, you unlock new troops and progress in the story.
After the Adeptus Mechanicus was in the foreground in the first part, Mechanicus 2 now even includes Necrons as a playable faction. You get two campaigns right away, with differences that are far more than just cosmetic. And that’s what excited me.
In itself, I would have been satisfied with simply getting Necrons with the same mechanics as the Tech-Priests. But the faction plays entirely differently:
- Necrons do not assemble troops, but the corresponding Lord determines the “loadout” of units.
- Each Lord can also be equipped with relics that grant him bonuses or abilities. Some relics even become stronger in certain combinations.
- In battle itself, Necrons become stronger the longer a battle lasts. Their mechanics trigger additional effects for attacks and abilities, which require a completely different tactical play style than with the Adeptus Mechanicus.
Overall, the gameplay relies much more on leaders who strengthen their troops or are reinforced themselves to tidy up – kind of hero units that make a battle more interesting.
Mechanicus 2 focuses on more story and a large campaign
Similar to the first part, Mechanicus 2 takes place on a Necron tomb world, which you want to explore and plunder as Adeptus Mechanicus and defend as Necrons. Several missions are even mirrored depending on whether you are the attacker or defender.
On the world map, you can manage garrisons and territories and prepare for your next missions. What excites me as a fan: This time, not only Necrons and Mechanicus are involved, but even Space Marines and the until now rather unknown faction of the Leagues of Votann!
Both appear (for now) only as support and not as their own faction, but just the fact that the developers make the effort to give them their own abilities and buffs gives Mechanicus 2 a wonderful depth.
As someone who loves Warhammer, I was thrilled by these details and I look forward to the Leagues of Votann very much. Because behind the story is the author Ben Counter, who also writes for the Black Library, so someone who must know the lore. If you want an insight yourself: There are over 350 books on Warhammer 40,000 – Here are the 15 best to start into the world
