Space Hulk: Tactics

First off, my play time is a bit exaggerated as I've left the game paused for extended periods. It's probably closer to 7-8 hours.
TL;DR: It's a solid tactical game with turn based play, and the negative reviews don't give it the credit it deserves, many seemingly complaining about issues the reviewer easily could have remedied, or about issues that so far have been nonexistent in my play through. Playing on standard difficulty. No graphical issues or game crashes. No prior experience with the board game.
Now, more detail. I've looked at this game a myriad of times, hesitant to purchase it due to the mixed reviews and the fact I've never played the board game. I remember playing one of the 90s Space Hulk games on my uncle's PC around 10 or so, and absolutely getting my ass handed to me before quitting. I've been wanting a rematch. I enjoy 40k, and I enjoy tactical games, but it took me until I saw the game on sale for 85% off to decide it was worth the risk. I'm happy to say it was, and I would happily buy this game at full price.
The negative reviews are blown out of proportion, and a majority of people leaving those reviews seem to have issue with problems they're causing themselves, and it's a damn shame the game has to suffer for it. To call out a few examples:
Existing Negative Review: 'Playing on veteran and the game is too hard, too unfair. It feels impossible.' Solution? Reduce the difficulty.
Existing Negative Review: 'The animations are too slow, and it hinders the game.' Solution? Open the settings menu and navigate to the animations option, where the speeds can be changed.
Existing Negative Review: 'There are no defensive missions, there aren't enough turns, and no good firing lines.' I'm honestly not sure how far this person played, as the missions have never felt rushed to me, regardless of turn amounts. The average seems to be about 12 turns, but some have more, and a rare few have less. I take about 2 minutes per turn to strategize and move. I can however confirm that there ARE defensive missions. So far I've played a few missions where the goal is to survive for so many turns, which requires defensive play against waves of enemies. I've also encountered a mission where an objective (specifically a console) needed to be defended for so many turns. I can also confirm that I have had absolutely no problem finding good firing lines in damn near every mission. I typically place my units on overwatch with vision down a 6-12 tile corridor.
Is the game slow? Yes. Is it hard? Yes. Is it meant to be? Again, yes. But it is also very rewarding. You have to think about every single move you make, where you're placing which units at the start, which corridor you'll have a line of sight down, how much AP each unit has left and whether it's enough for a defensive or offensive action, how much AP the Genestealer units have and either keeping enough distance not to get picked or putting a unit on overwatch to keep yourself alive... There are lots of little things to keep track of, but I have never once felt the game was unfair, and the gameplay feels tactical and smooth once you get the hang of it. It definitely won't be for everyone, but if you're on the fence, I recommend picking it up, especially if it's on sale.

I'm not sure what's up with the technical issues, bugs and crashes other commenters are experiencing, but after trying out the first few missions, I've found nothing of the sort, much less anything game breaking. As for the game, it's a pretty fun, mostly arcady turn-based tactics experience, meaning that you'll be playing more for the refreshing mechanics and the cool little ideas thrown in the loop, and less for the W40K lore, even if it's there. The voice acting and audio design are all excellent.

A lot of the reviews here complain about it being too difficult. I found the difficulty to be one of the main things I enjoyed. Solving these missions is like solving puzzles, each one is beatable but if you are not good enough you will lose, the units you choose to deploy matter, the cards you choose to deploy with matter and analyzing the map and where good choke points are is all important. Don't listen to the reviews that complain about difficulty, it's a skill issue for sure, I beat and never had to skip a single mission, it's great fun as long as you enjoy the process of solving the puzzle that is each tactical challenge. The game never crashed or had any issues for me so I cant speak on those complaints.

a very fun but brutally unforgiving in the early game.

Heavy Flamer does a lot to trivialize the difficulty but that point it is earned.

and those filthy Xenos scum deserve it anyways

this game is an underrated gem for anyone looking to dip their toes in warhammer video games aswell as people who always wanted to try the space hulk board game thats stupidly expensive irl they've really nailed the hopelessness and against the odds feeling of these terminator space marines in this claustrophobic environment. and as with all space hulk adaptation attempts it is extremely unforgiving AND somewhat unfair (cant savescum :[)" but it is so addicting to play and keep trying to minimize risk as much as possible with codex inspired TACTICS before that inevitable intense moment where you HAVE to risk it all and pray to the emperor to guide you through that exceptionally dangerous maneuver or fail and lose everything... i guess this game is not for everyone but i thoroughly enjoyed it!
ps. i havent tried the 2013 space hulk and space hulk ascension games because they are delisted but looking thru old gameplay im sure even if i play them id still consider this adaptation the best!

I can't understand the mixed review for this game. its pretty much spot on to the 3rd and 4th edition board game in regards to rules.
i like the fact theirs a decent narrative and commentary in between missions and game play is decent as well .
if your looking to brush up or actual learn how to play the BG on table top then it dose a pretty good job of teaching you the rules .

As a Warhammer fan and having played the Space Hulk board game since 1994, please don't listen to the bad reviews given to this game. Most of the reviews are emotional-biased and based on lame non-relevant to gameplay matters such as being unable to start (new Windows tech needing you to do a simple workaround), nobody in lobby (it's been some time since release and people naturally find interest in other games), etc. People also tend to rate this game unfairly as to them it is difficult and they get X-COM-level probability and chances with their shots, but these people have no idea how the Space Hulk game mechanics work and not understand that this is indeed the way things – how notoriously punishing things can get for the Terminators if they make mistakes with positioning and juggling between turtling and playing towards the objective.
This game is a labour of love and is very true to the Warhammer 40,000 franchise The story is engaging and isn't a rehash of the more popular story involving the Sin of Damnation space hulk. The game dialogue between Blood Angels, Ordo Xenos, and Adeptus Mechanicus was a joy to listen to and truly on-point. The Genestealer campaign is much shorter compared to the Blood Angels', but it was really fun to kill the Forces of the Imperium for a change!
The Skirmish and Mission Editor allows lots of replayability and quick fun if you want to experience the board game. The graphics and attention to detail with Terminator customization shows the developers love the franchise and paid attention to the things that matter. Do get this game especially when it's on sale!
DEATH TO THE FALSE EMPEROR! CHAOS INNUMERATUS