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Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War similar games & best alternatives

Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War

PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux • 2018

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Quick resume

Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War brings you to a world of terror and violence. Four factions will engage in a brutal war for dominance over the planet’s resources. In the first turn-based 4X strategy game set in Warhammer 40,000 you will lead one of four unique factions.

Global score

82/100

Genres

Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS)

Similar games

    Pros

    • Deep and challenging tactical combat
    • Unique and well-balanced factions
    • Immersive warhammer 40k atmosphere
    • Strong multiplayer and mod support
    • Engaging progression and strategy

    Cons

    • High dlc cost and fragmented content
    • Lack of diplomacy and campaign mode
    • Some ui and graphical simplicity
    • Neutral wildlife ai can be frustrating
    • Long game sessions require sustained focus

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Domination, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Fantasy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Value, Intimacy.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players have freedom to choose factions, strategies, unit compositions, and tactical maneuvers; game rewards adaptation and experimentation."

    • Competence
      4

      "Game challenges players with complex tactical combat, resource management, and strategic positioning; AI is punishing and requires skillful play."

    • Competition
      3

      "Supports multiplayer with team setups and competitive matches; players compare skill through tactical battles and map control."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Players report long sessions, repeated returns to the game, and deep engagement with multiple factions and strategies."

    • Cooperation
      2

      "Multiplayer supports team play and cooperative modes; some players enjoy hot-seat and online co-op."

    • Creativity
      3

      "Players customize city layouts, unit builds, and tactical approaches; mod support adds further creative options."

    • Domination
      3

      "Game focuses on total war and conquest; players seek superiority through battlefield control and elimination of enemies."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players immerse in grimdark 40K universe, escaping real life through epic war scenarios and tactical challenges."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no pressure or obligation reported."

    • Experimenting
      4

      "Players explore different factions, unit synergies, and tactical combinations; game rewards learning and adaptation."

    • Exploration
      2

      "Map is randomly generated with neutral creatures and relics to discover; exploration is part of gameplay but limited to one planet."

    • Expression
      2

      "Players customize city building and unit composition; some cosmetic mods exist but base game has limited avatar personalization."

    • Fantasy
      5

      "Strongly rooted in imaginative Warhammer 40K fiction with unique factions, heroes, and lore."

    • Fellowship
      2

      "Community and multiplayer provide social connection; some players enjoy cooperative and competitive play with friends."

    • Growth
      4

      "Players develop skills in strategy, tactics, and faction mastery over many hours of play."

    • Health
      -4

      "Typical sedentary gameplay with long sessions and focus on screen time."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires sustained attention and tactical decision-making; not suited for casual or background play."

    • Intimacy
      -4

      "Social interactions are mostly surface-level multiplayer; no deep emotional or personal relationship building."

    • Leadership
      3

      "Players lead armies and manage resources; multiplayer allows leadership roles in teams."

    • Progression
      4

      "Players accumulate units, upgrades, and city expansions; tech trees and hero development provide progression."

    • Relaxation
      1

      "Game can be tense and challenging but pacing allows moments of flow; not purely relaxing."

    • Sensation
      2

      "Visuals and sound evoke grimdark atmosphere; combat animations and sound effects provide sensory engagement."

    • Status
      2

      "Multiplayer and community recognition provide some social status; singleplayer is more individual."

    • Story
      2

      "Includes faction-specific quest lines and lore; no deep campaign but narrative elements enrich gameplay."

    • Strategy
      5

      "Core of the game is deep tactical and strategic decision-making involving terrain, unit abilities, and resource management."

    • Thrill
      3

      "Combat and multi-front warfare create suspense and excitement; risk and reward are present."

    • Value
      -2

      "Base game is good value but DLC pricing is considered high by many players."

    • Violence
      5

      "Game centers on combat, destruction, and warfare consistent with Warhammer 40K setting."

    • Survival
      3

      "Players must manage resources and avoid defeat; survival through tactical skill is key."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026