Final Liberation: Warhammer Epic 40,000
The first video game adaptation of Epic table-top wargame.
Final Liberation, a turn-based tactics game for Windows, launched in 1997 and later appeared on GOG.com in 2015 and Steam in 2026. It is notable as the first video game adaptation of Epic, a tabletop wargame within the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Rather than using the setting for a different game genre, it closely follows the tabletop rules and style to replicate that experience on a computer.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Holistic Design
- Publisher
- Strategic Simulations
- Director
- Andrew Greenberg; Ken Lightner
- Producer
- John Eberhardt
- Programmer
- Ken Lightner
- Artist
- Brian Mead
- Composer
- The Samsara Project
- Series
- Warhammer 40,000
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
The game features campaign and skirmish modes. In the campaign, the player works through linked games to eradicate Orks on the planet Volistad, with a non-linear story and territory control determining points for unit replacement and repair. Newly recruited units are less effective than seasoned veterans due to an experience point system. The campaign is single-player and only the Imperium of Man is playable. Skirmish mode allows battles against computer or human opponents via hot-seat, local network, or Internet play, on maps ranging from vast to small; Orks are fully playable here. Each battle uses a turn-based system where players either carry out all actions for all units or alternate turns acting with one unit at a time. Unit and formation selection is important, with a wide variety of infantry, ground vehicles, and aircraft from the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Winning certain maps grants access to specialist units such as superheavy tanks or Titans. The game includes live action cutscenes mixed with CGI.
Reception
PC Gamer US's T. Liam McDonald called Final Liberation a fun, tactically challenging game that faithfully captures the Warhammer system on PC, though he criticized its graphics. Tim Carter in Computer Gaming World echoed the graphics criticism, calling it perhaps the ugliest game he had seen, but enjoyed it overall. Phil Thé of Computer Games Strategy Plus noted quirks and idiosyncrasies, criticizing the artificial intelligence, interface, and full motion video cutscenes, but suggested that Warhammer 40K fans would likely buy it. Final Liberation was a runner-up for GameSpot's 1997 Best Cinematics award, with editors praising its full-motion-video cinematics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who developed Final Liberation: Warhammer Epic 40,000?
Final Liberation: Warhammer Epic 40,000 was developed by Holistic Design.
Who published Final Liberation: Warhammer Epic 40,000?
Final Liberation: Warhammer Epic 40,000 was published by Strategic Simulations.
When was Final Liberation: Warhammer Epic 40,000 released?
Final Liberation: Warhammer Epic 40,000 was released on November 20, 1997.
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