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E3 2008: Warhammer: Battle March Impressions

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  • Xbox 360

We checked out Battle March, the upcoming action RTS for the 360 at Namco Bandai's E3 booth.

Warhammer has made a natural progression from table-based to console-based games over the years. The company's latest, upcoming action real-time strategy game for the Xbox 360 is based on the PC's Mark of Chaos, and we popped in to Namco Bandai's E3 booth to see it in action.

The Xbox 360 version of the game includes the original Warhammer: Mark of Chaos, in addition to the new Battle March expansion pack. As well as a single-player campaign and skirmish modes, there is online multiplayer support for two to four players on the Xbox 360 (down from six on the PC version). Since we last saw the game, Namco has added an extra faction, bringing the total to six, although only three of them are playable: Empire, Chaos, and Orcs & Goblins.

Hero units will play an important emphasis in Battle March, in that they'll not only help your team's morale but will also perform magic attacks. However, watch out, because losing a hero will be an immense loss to your army. Once a hero dies in battle, it might not be impossible to complete a mission, but it sure will be an uphill battle.

In addition to the regular factions, you'll be able to create custom armies. Although they're based on the existing factions, you'll be able to customise colours and banners for your custom fighting force if you so desire. Given that soldiers are randomly generated with a wide combination of options (including their individual uniform, body, and facial type, as well as headdress), making a custom army will take your side's unique look to the next level.

We're happy to report that Battle March looks quite promising visually, with richly detailed humans, orcs, and other creatures, vivid environments and terrain, and plenty of good effects on explosions and flames, which you'll no doubt be seeing a lot of through the course of the game.

Warhammer: Battle March should have something to offer both hardcore Warhammer and casual RTS fans alike when it arrives this September. GameSpot will bring you more coverage of Battle March as it nears completion.

20 Comments

  • RMorris101

    Posted Aug 31, 2008 1:51 am GMT

    I am looking forward to this game. I am only worried about how well the controls work. The Xbox is yet to have a RTS type game that feels good to control.

  • jamesaphillips

    Posted Jul 30, 2008 12:00 pm GMT

    this does look very good especially since i like the total war series, but i think ill be too pre-ocupied with the likes of sacred 2, fable 2 and if i can afford it guitar hero 4

  • leofiregod

    Posted Jul 20, 2008 7:46 pm GMT

    probably rent it 1st

  • ognen

    Posted Jul 20, 2008 9:22 am GMT

    Pass

  • zbiggie

    Posted Jul 19, 2008 4:51 am GMT

    Looks fun, but I never really got into this series, We'll see about this one

  • Macgyver40

    Posted Jul 18, 2008 12:05 pm GMT

    i am wondering how this game will come together

  • lettuceman44

    Posted Jul 17, 2008 2:29 pm GMT

    Hmm, I wonder how this will turn out.

  • Lord-Viru

    Posted Jul 17, 2008 3:03 am GMT

    I really hope they sort out a decent control system for this as it looks promising, but any game will fail if it is without a control system up to the job.

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 11:35 pm GMT

    I hope it's better than the expansion pack that came out for the pc..

  • Thorpe89

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 5:52 pm GMT

    I do like the level of detail in this. The second screenshot is full of win.

  • Hungry_bunny

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 5:32 pm GMT

    Looks niice. Looking forward to more coverage.

  • km1498

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 3:04 pm GMT

    Might be good, I'll keep an eye on it.

  • CommanderShiro

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 2:20 pm GMT

    Gorgeous screenshots.

  • Cube_of_MooN

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 1:41 pm GMT

    Ooohhh. battling. Looks fun.

  • Vrygar777

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 1:13 pm GMT

    I agree with Lord_Tik, Fallout 3's got my attention the most.

  • grambyte

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 12:34 pm GMT

    This looks and sounds amazing!

  • -Twilight-

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 12:24 pm GMT

    Also on the PC? Great, might have to pick this one up.

  • playstation_wii

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 11:50 am GMT

    The enemies look fantastic.

  • Bigg_Boi

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 11:11 am GMT

    I might get this game if it gets decent reviews.

  • Lord_Tik

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 11:08 am GMT

    With Too Human and Fallout 3 on the horizon.. I'm sad that I won't be able to spend as much time with this game as I would like to.

Review Scores

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Game Info

  • Xbox 360 PC Release Info

    • Release Date: Sep 2, 2008
    • ESRB: M
      Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older.

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Warhammer: Mark of Chaos - Battle March

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