Final Liberation: Warhammer Epic 40,000
Encyclopedia
Final Liberation is a turn-based tactics
video game released for Microsoft Windows
in 1997. The game is best known as the first video game based on Epic
, a table-top wargame set in the fictional Warhammer 40,000
universe, in an attempt to recreate the table-top experience on a computer as opposed to using it as a backdrop for games in other genres. As a result, the game borrows heavily in terms of rules and style from the table-top game, demanding a combination of luck
and tactics
necessary to succeed in game war
fare.
s and the Imperium
, are presented with a wide variety of infantry selections and variations, allowing many possible outcomes and very intricate battles. This makes gameplay strategies more difficult to create and manage, however an experienced player can (and often does) take advantage of the variety of units available. These units include a large selection of ground vehicles (tanks, armoured personnel carrier
s, and artillery), infantry units and aircraft.
Notably, in the in-game information pages of Final Liberation, there were tabs for the Eldar
and Tyranid races, suggesting that they were intended to be included at some point, possibly in an expansion. This never materialised.
mode, or network play over a local network or the Internet
. Such battles can be played on maps ranging in size from vast to small.
It also includes live action cutscenes mixed with CGI.
Turn-based tactics
Turn-based tactics , or tactical turn-based , is a computer and video game genre of strategy video games that through stop-action simulates the considerations and circumstances of operational warfare and military tactics in generally small-scale confrontations as opposed to more strategic...
video game released for Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
in 1997. The game is best known as the first video game based on Epic
Epic (game)
Epic is a tabletop wargame set in the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe. Where Warhammer 40,000 involves small battles between forces of a few squads of troops and two or three vehicles, Epic features battles between armies consisting of dozens of tanks and hundreds of soldiers...
, a table-top wargame set in the fictional Warhammer 40,000
Warhammer 40,000
Warhammer 40,000 is a tabletop miniature wargame produced by Games Workshop, set in a dystopian science fantasy universe. Warhammer 40,000 was created by Rick Priestley in 1987 as the futuristic companion to Warhammer Fantasy Battle, sharing many game mechanics...
universe, in an attempt to recreate the table-top experience on a computer as opposed to using it as a backdrop for games in other genres. As a result, the game borrows heavily in terms of rules and style from the table-top game, demanding a combination of luck
Luck
Luck or fortuity is good fortune which occurs beyond one's control, without regard to one's will, intention, or desired result. There are at least two senses people usually mean when they use the term, the prescriptive sense and the descriptive sense...
and tactics
Military tactics
Military tactics, the science and art of organizing an army or an air force, are the techniques for using weapons or military units in combination for engaging and defeating an enemy in battle. Changes in philosophy and technology over time have been reflected in changes to military tactics. In...
necessary to succeed in game war
War
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
fare.
Gameplay
The game operates in turns where the player must deploy and manage their units carefully through squad formations and unit selections. Both sides, the OrkOrk (Warhammer 40,000)
The Orks are a race from the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe. They are described as being tall, muscular humanoids, with green skin and a penchant for violence. the orks live for war and constantly fight anything in sight, including each other...
s and the Imperium
Imperium (Warhammer 40,000)
The Imperium of Man is a fictional galactic empire of over a million planets that contains the vast majority of humans in the forty-first millennium, set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe created by Games Workshop....
, are presented with a wide variety of infantry selections and variations, allowing many possible outcomes and very intricate battles. This makes gameplay strategies more difficult to create and manage, however an experienced player can (and often does) take advantage of the variety of units available. These units include a large selection of ground vehicles (tanks, armoured personnel carrier
Armoured personnel carrier
An armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars...
s, and artillery), infantry units and aircraft.
Notably, in the in-game information pages of Final Liberation, there were tabs for the Eldar
Eldar (Warhammer 40,000)
In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000, the Eldar are a race of elf-like humanoids who look into the future via psychic powers. They are one of the most ancient and advanced races in the universe's history, though younger than the Necrons, the C'tan, and the Old Ones...
and Tyranid races, suggesting that they were intended to be included at some point, possibly in an expansion. This never materialised.
Modes
The game features two modes, campaign and skirmish. In the campaign mode, the player works through a series of levels to eradicate the ork presence on the planet to finally capture Volistad. The recruitment of new units has an Experience Point system attached, meaning newly recruited units are less effective than seasoned veterans. The campaign mode is only single-player. In the Skirmish mode, the player can set up a battle which pits the player against an array of computer or human-controlled opponents via a hot-seatHotseat (multiplayer mode)
Hotseat or hot seat is a multiplayer mode provided by some turn-based video games, which allows two or more players to play on the same device by taking turns playing the game...
mode, or network play over a local network or the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
. Such battles can be played on maps ranging in size from vast to small.
Storyline
The campaign features a non-linear story line where the player controls the Imperial forces to liberate the planet of Volistad from Ork raiders. The territory controlled at each stage determines the points available for the replacement and repair of units. The winning of certain maps gives access to certain specialist units such as superheavy tanks or Titans.It also includes live action cutscenes mixed with CGI.