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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)

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    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

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

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      "Players have freedom to choose different units, tactics, formations, and strategies; game rewards improvisation and tactical decision-making."

      Capsule for Cossacks II: Battle for Europe Cossacks II: Battle for Europe

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

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

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      "The game challenges players with complex strategy and resource management, requiring skill to optimize plays and overcome AI or human opponents."

      Capsule for Terraforming Mars Terraforming Mars

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

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      3

      "Multiplayer includes skill-based matches without perks or leveling, with some active servers and clan competitions, encouraging player comparison."

      Capsule for Call of Duty® 2 Call of Duty® 2

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

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      3

      "Players report long sessions and deep engagement, though some mention eventual repetitiveness and desire for more content."

      Capsule for Citystate II Citystate II

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

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      2

      "Game supports multiplayer co-op and cooperative activities, but many players also enjoy solo play."

      Capsule for Pumpkin Days Pumpkin Days

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

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      3

      "Players customize cities, upgrade units, and manage supply routes; mod support adds creative possibilities."

      Capsule for Hegemony III: Clash of the Ancients Hegemony III: Clash of the Ancients

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

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      3

      "The game emphasizes military conquest and domination over other civilizations, with players often exerting control over opponents."

      Capsule for Sid Meier's Civilization® III Complete Sid Meier's Civilization® III Complete

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

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Players use the game to immerse in the grimdark 40k universe and escape real life through brutal combat."

      Capsule for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - Anniversary Edition Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - Anniversary Edition

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

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

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

      Capsule for Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout

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

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      4

      "Players explore different tactics, unit combinations, and battle setups; the game encourages trying new strategies and learning."

      Capsule for Pike and Shot : Campaigns Pike and Shot : Campaigns

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

    • Exploration

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      2

      "Map has various biomes and Easter eggs; some exploration but mostly familiar environments due to single map."

      Capsule for Super Animal Royale Super Animal Royale

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

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      2

      "Players customize cities and choose building placements, but limited avatar or cosmetic customization is noted."

      Capsule for Kingdoms Reborn Kingdoms Reborn

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

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      5

      "Strongly rooted in the imaginative Warhammer 40k universe with fictional factions, lore, and settings."

      Capsule for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Definitive Edition Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Definitive Edition

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

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      2

      "Community and multiplayer provide social connection and shared interests, though many players focus on solo play."

      Capsule for Command & Conquer™ Remastered Collection Command & Conquer™ Remastered Collection

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

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      4

      "Players develop skills in strategy, unit management, and faction mastery over time."

      Capsule for Company of Heroes 2 - The British Forces Company of Heroes 2 - The British Forces

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

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -4

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

      Capsule for Wargame: Red Dragon Wargame: Red Dragon

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

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

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

      Capsule for Police Stories Police Stories

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

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -4

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

      Capsule for KILL la KILL -IF KILL la KILL -IF

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

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      3

      "Players lead armies and make strategic decisions; multiplayer may include team leadership roles."

      Capsule for Tempest Rising Tempest Rising

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

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Players accumulate tech, units, and upgrades, advancing through a tech tree and building armies."

      Capsule for ZEPHON ZEPHON

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

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      1

      "Game has moments of tension and challenge but overall pacing allows for some flow and relaxation."

      Capsule for Home Behind Home Behind

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

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      2

      "Visuals, sound, and combat animations provide sensory engagement and excitement."

      Capsule for Partisans 1941 Partisans 1941

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

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      2

      "Multiplayer recognition and leaderboards provide social status, though single player is more individual-focused."

      Capsule for Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War® - Dark Crusade Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War® - Dark Crusade

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

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      2

      "The game has thematic narrative elements and faction lore enhancing immersion."

      Capsule for Root Root

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

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      5

      "Core gameplay revolves around deep strategic and tactical decision-making, unit positioning, and resource management."

      Capsule for Company of Heroes 2 Company of Heroes 2

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

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      3

      "Combat provides suspense and excitement with risk and reward."

      Capsule for Infinity: Battlescape Infinity: Battlescape

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

    • Value

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      -2

      "Players often feel the base game is good value but DLCs are expensive and sometimes overpriced."

      Capsule for The Sims™ 3 The Sims™ 3

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

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      5

      "Gameplay centers on combat, destruction, and warfare consistent with Warhammer 40k setting."

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

    • Survival

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      3

      "Players must manage resources, avoid defeat, and overcome threats in tactical battles."

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

    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.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026