Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate

Unlike the previous 40 Kottering, Final Liberation, Chaos Gale is a very accessible and user-friendly game. The manual is what it should be (a handy reference tool), and within minutes you're blasting Chaos Marines back to the Void from which they came.

Unfortunately though, you only get to play on the side of good versus evil - the Ultramarines against Khorne and Tzeench. Mind you, later on in the 18-mission campaign you get your hands on some decent-looking kit, from Predator tanks through to Dreadnoughts and Land Speeders. It would be handy to be able to customise the units more - after all, it's the paint jobs that make Warhammerwhat it is, and no game has ever included such a facility. One day, perhaps, but not yet.

Graphically, Chaos Gale is both attractive and functional. It's hardly state of the art, but with a game such as this it's as much about keeping the feel of the tabletop version as it is about creating something new for a PC gaming audience. It's not the greatest game ever - not by a long chalk. But for those who decide to take the plunge, it's one that slowly grabs hold of you and keeps you entertained throughout its duration; something you'll look back on with fond memories rather than foul - which makes it a winner in my book.