Everything We Know About Mechanicus II

The original Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus game is one of my favorite PC games, largely because it combines two awesome things: the Warhammer 40,000 universe and the tactical, turn-based combat popularized by the original X-COM: UFO Defense PC game, published by Microprose way back in 1994.

The original Mechanicus started me down the path of both playing 40K for the first time and helped me pick my first (and still favorite) 40K faction: the Adeptus Mechanicus. I'd played Warhammer Fantasy Battles for a year of two way back in the early 1990s, then went on a Warhammer hiatus for more than 30 years. The imposed hermitude of Covid and the release of Mechanicus for the PC were two of the things that led me to AdMech and 40K, so I was understandably interested when I heard Mechanicus II had been announced.

I started gathering up all the information I could about this new release, and I thought it would be useful to share everything I've learned in one place, hence this blog post. I'll be updating this document continuously until the retail release of the game, so kindly drop a comment here (or email me) if you've come across information that isn't included here.

When will Mechanicus II be released?

To be announced.

What platforms will Mechanicus II be released for?

Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus II will be available for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and on PC / Windows via the Epic Game Store and Steam platforms.

What are the system requirements for Mechanicus II?

To be announced.

Who are the developer and publisher of Mechanicus II?

The game is being developed by @BulwarkStudios and will be published by
@KasedoGames.

How many playable factions will there be?

Two: the Adeptus Mechanicus (led by Magos Dominus Faustinius) and the Necrons (led by Vargard Nefershah). There will be two narrative campaigns, so one for each faction.

What's the plot/storyline?

From the Mechanicus II game description on Steam:

"After millennia of slumber, Vargard Nefershah mobilises her dynasty’s legions to annihilate the Adeptus Mechanicus interlopers who unknowingly settled upon her world. Across the galaxy, Magos Dominus Faustinius is summoned to bring his hard-won expertise to bear and ensure the Necrons do not succeed. The conflict soon becomes a crucible of unanticipated significance, drawing to it external actors stranger and more deadly still."

There's also a bit more about the game setting and word that Black Library author Ben Counter is returning to help with the game story:

"Veteran author Ben Counter, best known for his Black Library novels, returns to tell the next chapter of the Mechanicus saga. Atone for past failures as Faustinius in his ongoing war against the ancient Necron species, and follow the inexorable rise of Vargard Nefershah as she seeks to reclaim the dynasty’s crownworld from the Adeptus Mechanicus."

Any hint on how both factions will play?

According to the Mechanicus II game description on Steam:

"New environmental mechanics require you to maneuver like never before. Play to your chosen faction’s strengths and weaknesses – take cover behind terrain as the Mechanicus, or destroy it as the Necrons."

Anything else on expected gameplay?

It appears that the game will be focused on a single world, and will have a top-level strategic layer where players focus on "...capturing and defending regions from the forces of the foe while generating and managing crucial resources."

This strategic view will also let players "...manage each of your territory’s garrisons and assemble your forces wisely for each mission, choosing from a vastly expanded selection of fighters from each faction’s range."

Will the cognition system carry over into Mechanicus II?

In the original Mechanicus game, cognition was the game mechanic that involved players collecting (and spending) cognition points to undertake actions. According to an article by Harvey Randall at PC Gamer, that system will be tweaked and improved in Mechanicus II:

"In Mechanicus 2, however, every unit has a unique way of collecting Cognition for your crew—for example, your Servitor units (beefy, mindless drones created by stuffing a bunch of tech into a meat puppet) give you Cognition whenever you use them to soak up damage. Other units give you cognition by completing similar objectives, such as shooting enemies outside a minimum distance."—Harvey Randall, PC Gamer

What about the Mechanicus II music and soundtrack?

Kasedo has confirmed that composer Guillaume David—responsible for the critically-acclaimed music from the first Mechanicus game—will also be composing the soundtrack for Mechanicus II.

Are there any official Mechanicus II online communities?

Kasedo/Bulwark have launched an official Mechanicus II Discord channel, and some unofficial discussion about the game can be found in the Mechanicus subreddit.

What about official art assets and other materials?

There are some official Mechanicus II desktop wallpapers and a press kit folder with key art, logos, and other press materials.

Is there a trailer for Mechanicus II?

An announcement trailer was released in May 2024 as part of the Warhammer Skulls 2024 online game festival. As of this writing, no other official video content has been released.