Many reviewers have Warhammer 40K and/or Civilization series games experience. Closest thing that I ever played is GalCiv4. Wasn't thrilled about a 4x game that is missing the diplomacy element, but this game works. Objective is destroy the building in the startup hex, in all cities, for all opponents.

Game includes 4 factions; 3 of which can build multiple cities. Plus, there are additional factions available as DLCs. (Bought 2 of these, the same weekend, that I bought the base game.) Despite the same game-winning objective, all of the factions play differently. One is great with long-range weapons. Another can only build a single city. And other is very good at melee attacks, and is great comic relief. (You MUST get the Too Many Voices mod. If nothing else, to listen to the Orks' comments.) The base game & DLCs go sale from time-to-time, so stay alert.

Research tree: 10 tiers max. You progress to the next tier by researching 2 or more items in the current tier. Some research items provide new units, unit buffs, or city buildings and/or buffs. In 6 games, easily reached tier 10, in 4 games; one game, I barely reached tier 8. Compared to games like Distant Worlds 2 & Galactic Civilizations IV, this part of the game is very understated, and could use meatier descriptions to understand what researching an item provides.

Game play:

• Start off on a map, with tiny bit of exposed.
  
• Unless you are in an area with very poor resources for your faction, build a city with your engineering unit, ASAP. (The engineering unit is called by different names for different factions. Example: For Necrons, it's the Canoptek Spyder.) You need to get your economy moving, and start researching items.
  
• Cautiously explore the map, to find additional city locations (unless you are the Space Marines) & find your opponent's cities.
  
• Be mindful of wildlife. Taking on things such Enslavers or giant scorpions before your infantry has leveled up, or you have more powerful units, is wasteful.
  
• Kill the key building in each of your opponents' cities. If you don't recognize these visually, they will be the ones attacking you.

On a medium map, playing against 2 opponents, typically won in 6 to 10 hours, but I play slow.

If none of the above has convinced you to buy this game, consider that there is an abundance of videos, and the play community on the forum is one of the most helpful on Steam. Game also includes PDF manual & a tutorial; later is one of the game's greatest weaknesses. Having watched numerous YT videos, had a descent feel for the game play; player community filled in the gaps.

Never even considered any kind of 'Warhammer' game prior to August 2024; computer or tabletop. Party Elite's video about the Necrons (one of the factions in the game), sold me.

good game

Overly complicated game, with expensive DLCs