There have been a plethora ofWarhammergames across the decades that have become fan favorites and cult classics. Covering practically every genre there is, from third-person shooters to narrative-driven isometric RPGs, theWarhammervideo game library is vast and plentiful. While it doesn’t quite cover the breadth of the Black Library books, theWarhammervideo games are some of the best ways to get invested in the brand.
It’s no surprise that people are starting to become more invested in theWarhammerbrand, especially withWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2being one of themost anticipated action gamesof the year. Fortunately,there are a handful of truly excellentWarhammergames that are great starting points for newcomersand excellent ways of investing in these universes for fans. No matter what genre fans prefer, theseWarhammergames are sure to delight.
15Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin (Frontier Developments)
A Warhammer Fantasy RTS
Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruinis a strategy game set in theWarhammer Fantasyuniverse, specifically during the titular Age of Sigmar period.It is a real-time strategy game, akin to theDawn of Warseries, although the later entries. Players command squads of warriors with unique abilities around large environments, attempting to capture points to increase their resources.
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There’s a story mode which is particularly compelling, as well as additional modes that let players set up their own matches. While it was received with mixed reviews at launch,Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruinis one of the bestWarhammer Fantasystrategy games available, as well as one of thebest strategy games on console. It is well worth playing for those who want a strong strategy experience set during this particular part of theWarhammerlore.
14Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War (Proxy Studios)
A Warhammer 40K 4X Experience
Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of Waris a rare attempt at a 4X game set in the40Kuniverse.It allows players to take on the role of one of four factions, the Astra Militarum, Space Marines, Orks, or Necrons- with DLC further expanding the roster - as they attempt to expand across a planet in search of resources and glory. Each faction is unique with its own unique units and building types, which makes replaying it a lot of fun.
Additionally, each world is randomly generated, meaning that players can keep coming back and have a different experience with each run.It is, for all intents and purposes,Warhammer 40,000’sanswer to theCivilizationseries, with it borrowing ideas and mechanics liberally. However, the40Kskin makes a big difference and offers a genuinely compelling 4X experience that fans of the genre andWarhammerwill enjoy.
13Space Hulk: Deathwing Enhanced Edition (Streum On Studio)
A Tactical Claustrophobic FPS
Space Hulk: Deathwinglaunched as a bit of a buggy mess, with critics panning it as a result. However, the developer released anEnhanced Editionwhich ironed out a lot of the bugs and let its extremely unique tactical FPS gameplay shine.Space Hulk: Deathwing Enhanced Editionhas some of the best environments of any40Kgame, with its titular Space Hulk setting lending itself nicely to a variety of claustrophobic corridors and impressive grand halls.
In a lot of ways,Deathwingfollows theLeft 4 Deadformula, albeit with a lot more tactical twists thanks to its board game roots. It sees players stomp through various environments as a Terminator as they attempt to complete objectives while avoiding getting swarmed by Tyranids.Deathwing, while certainly a unique FPS, is one of the better40Kentries, and worth playing for those who adore the Gothic setting.
12Warhammer 40,000: Darktide (Fatshark)
The 40K Version Of Left 4 Dead
Darktideis the40Kspin-off of theVermintideseries by the same developer, Fatshark.It is an intenseLeft 4 Dead-esque shooter that sees a group of Imperial Guard of Astra Militarum soldiers complete objectiveswhile tackling overwhelming Chaos forces. Much likeVermintide,Darktidehas a number of classes for players to choose from, with each one bringing its own unique weapon and abilities.
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Cosmetics in Warhammer 40,000: Darktide can be unlocked several ways, including Penances and a premium currency called Aquilas.
It’s up to the player and their friends to balance these characters to ensure each mission and its challenging objectives are completed without error.With a story written by legendary40Kwriter, Dan Abnett, and plenty of loot for players to unlock,Darktideis a great40Kgameand a worthy follow-up to the critically acclaimedVermintideseries.
11Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus (Bulwark Studios)
X-COM Meets 40K
Anothergreat strategy gameset in the40Kuniverse isWarhammer 40,000: Mechanicus.ThisX-COM-esque strategy game sees players command a squad of Adeptus Mechanicusas they try and take on the fearless Necron hordes. With 50 hand-crafted missions to complete and a plethora of customization options for each soldier,Mechanicushas a lot for players to see and do.
There are also multiple endings which are affected by the various challenging decisions players will make throughout the game.Mechanicusis an excellent strategy game that is available on all platforms.It does the setting proud, not just by focusing on a lesser-known faction, but with its excellent art direction, unit design, and storyby acclaimed writer Ben Counter.
10Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine
A Gory Third-Person Shooter
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marinewas a well-received third-person shooter that dared to go up against the greatGears of War. It dropped in an era where waist-high boxes were all the rage and players could deal with every combat encounter by hiding behind a wall and shooting their gun over the top.Space Marinedid things a little differently, however, prioritizing melee combatand amping up the gore to eleven.
Space Marinestill absolutely holds up to this day, offering a robust and enjoyable campaign with a strong narrative set in the40Kuniverse. It’s very digestible too for newcomers, acting as a good starting point for those who are curious what all these big blue guys are about. Luckily, its sequel,Space Marine 2, lived up to the first game’s reputation, making it easily one of thebest action games on PS5and one of the best looking games of its generation.
9Blood Bowl 2
A Turn-Based Sports Bloodbath
Blood Bowl 2is a very different type ofWarhammergame as it blends tabletop rules with gory American football gameplay. It is based off of a tabletop game of the same name, in whichplayers pick one of the many teams and play a mostly standard game of American football, albeit without any of the rules. The goal is still to get the ball from one end of the pitch to the other, only this time the teams can kill opposing players.
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Despite the gory and action-packed nature ofBlood Bowl 2, it is a turn-based affair with dice rolls determining every move players make.There’s a career mode in which fans can see their team rise through the leaderboard, losing teammates along the way, and multiplayer modes. It’s a great and unique experience, and the second entry is by far the best.
8Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun
A Perfect Warhammer Boomer Shooter
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgunonce again takes the franchise in a new direction and offers players an extremely gory boomer shooter experience.This is a fast-paced, blood-soaked FPS with gorgeous pixel-art visualsand a killer soundtrack. What makesBoltgunstand apart from its contemporaries is its setting, which makes full use of the40Kuniverse.
Boltgunis definitely a unique game, one that prioritizes action over absolutely everything, giving players a visceral and exhilarating experience. However, it is lacking in the story department, although the gameplay more than makes up for it. It is no surprise then thatWarhammer 40,000: Boltgunreviews were extremely positive,making it not only a definitive boomer shooter for fans of the40Kuniverse, but also of all time.
7Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector
The Best Adaptation Of The Tabletop Game
Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector, much likeBlood Bowl 2,is a more faithful recreation of the tabletop experience than any of the otherWarhammergames. It is a turn-based strategy game that sees players select a number of units and then head into battle, forced to reckon with the opponent’s overwhelming forces. The base game pits the Blood Angels against the Tyranid hordes, but the various DLC expansions add new factions, including the Tau, Orcs, and Chaos.
Players must pay for each ofBattlesector’sDLCs as they do not come as free updates. Additionally, players cannot access these factions in the multiplayer mode unless they have purchased them.
There are a number of modes for players to choose from, including a campaign that tells the thrilling story of Sergeant Carleon as he attempts to rid Baal Secundus of its Tyranid invaders.Players can also enjoy a Skirmish mode, a Planet Supremacy mode, and multiplayer modes, all of which are a lot of fun. For those who want an experience more akin to the tabletop game, thenBattlesectoris the perfect choice.
6Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
A Story-Rich Warhammer RPG
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Traderis an epic isometric turn-based RPG set in an open-world expanse of the40Kuniverse. Players will need to assemble a team from across the various40Kfactions and embark on a grand adventure across the uncharted void.Rogue Traderis a heavily narrative-driven experience with players forced to make difficult choicesthat impact them and their allies.
There is also complex turn-based combat against the Chaos forces and more that sees fans needing to use everything at their disposal to win.Rogue Traderis essentiallyWarhammer Baldur’s Gate 3, albeit with some obvious differences. With an incredibly likable cast ofcompanions inWarhammer 40,000: Rogue Traderto get to know, and a sprawling narrative to uncover, there’s more than enough40Kcontent for fans to sink their teeth into.
