Warhammer 40k originally started as a tabletop game, but expanded into multiple mediums, from books to TV, and now even video games!
Maybe you’ve seen one of your favourite streamers playing Space Marine 2, or you’ve noticed Warhammer 40k games appearing in a Steam sale.
If you’re looking to get into Warhammer 40K but don’t know where to start, or you’re a casual gamer looking for something new, then our extensive Warhammer 40k video game guide has you covered.
Below are our top picks for the best Warhammer 40K games – perfect for beginner players unsure about where to start.
1. Space Marine 2 (2024)
Developer: Saber Interactive
Publisher: Focus Entertainment
Available on: PC (Steam, Epic), PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Even if you only know about Warhammer 40k in passing, you’ve probably heard the hype around Space Marine 2 (and for good reason). Space Marine 2 is seen as the gold standard of Warhammer video games. With chaotic battles against Tyranid swarms, savage third-person gameplay, and authentic characters and lore-accurate storylines, it provides possibly the most immersive Warhammer 40K experience out there.
What is it about?
You play as Sergeant Demetrian Titus, of the Ultramarines second company and battle swarms of mankind’s foes in objective-based missions. The story is engaging and perfectly capturing the grit and brutality of the 41st millennium.
You can play the main story with two of your friends which, as you can imagine, makes for hours of carnage (and laughs!).
The Co-op campaign and additional, brutally fun PVP mode is a great way to hang out with friends and share the experience.
Gameplay blends classic third-person shooter gunplay with visceral melee combat., with multiple difficulty options to pick from. This makes the game both easy to learn for new players, and hard to master for veterans.
Despite all the positives that come with this game, there are some cons. The game suffers from performance issues on older hardware, including longer loading times, texture pop-ins, screen tearing and poor framerates, especially when fighting large enemy swarms.
Here’s what we like about it
- Authentic portrayal of WH40K universe.
- Brutal combat, with a high skill-ceiling.
- Lore accurate.
- Engaging Player v Player mode.
- Engaging co-op mode with up to 3 players
Cons
- Challenging on higher difficulties.
- Minor performance issues on older hardware.
2. Rogue Trader (2023)
Developer: Owlcat Games
Publishers: Owlcat Games
Available on: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Windows
If you’re a fan of highly tactical and immersive roleplaying experiences, then this game might be the best pick for you.
What is it about?
Based on the classic Warhammer 40k TTRPG, Rogue Trader, you take on the titular role navigating the frontiers of Imperium space, while flaunting many laws that would bind normal imperial citizens.
Owlcat are no strangers to adapting tabletop games into isometric RPGs. They’ve used their combined experience from previous entries in their Pathfinder series to create what is one of their best games yet.
The array of choices available to players is extensive, which is great if you enjoy a high level of story interactivity.
There are, however, some flaws – unlike other isometric CRPGs, Rogue Trader suffers from extended combat sequences that feel bloated, even for a turn-based game.
The game also suffers from several technical issues. From screen stuttering to bugged camera movement, and poor optimization on older devices.
One upside, however, is it runs reasonably well on Steamdeck!
Here’s what we like about it
- Perfect for fans of the Rogue Trader TTRPG.
- Fantastic dialogue, companions and locations.
- Still supported with new DLC on the way.
- Authentic and detailed storytelling.
Cons
- Slow loading times.
- Several bugs.
- Long combat times.
- Lack of full voice acting.
3. Inquisitor – Martyr (2017)
Developer: NeocoreGames
Publishers: NeocoreGames, Nacon, BIGBEN INTERACTIVE
Available on: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Windows
Inquisitor: Martyr offers a slightly different feel to Space Marine 2 and Rogue Trader – as an action role-playing game, it focuses more on quick and explosive top-down combat, perfect for players who enjoy crafting unique character builds, and clearing rooms filled with enemy waves.
What is it about?
You play as an inquisitor (hence the name) on a ship called the Martyr, which is infested with Chaos. Your job is simple – explore the ship to protect it from hordes of heretics and daemons, while obtaining loot to upgrade your gear.
The game has re-playability too, with several unique skill trees to be unlocked, which synergise differently with different weapons. You can customise your character distinctly with each playthrough.
That being said, the gameplay – much like other ARPGs – is repetitive, meaning that you need to enjoy the combat to have a good time.
With an additional lack of combo attacks and a fiddly weapon select, the experience can sometimes feel a bit clunky.
The story, although pretty standard, is well-written and has plenty of rich lore for Warhammer 40K fans to indulge in.
We recommend this game for people who are already fans of other ARPG titles, like Diablo, Torchlight, or Path of Exile.
Here’s what we like about it
- Well-written, lore-faithful story.
- Highly customizable builds for your character.
- Fun single and multiplayer modes.
Cons
- Uninspired ARPG gameplay.
- Fiddly weapon select, itemisation and general mechanical jank.
4. Boltgun (2023)
Developer: Auroch Digital
Publishers: Pullup Entertainment
Available on: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Windows, GeoForce Now
One of the newer games in the series, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a single-player ‘DOOM-style’ first-person shooter.
What is it about?
Players take on the role of a Sternguard Veteran Space Marine of the Ultramarines, tasked by the Inquisition to eradicate Chaos forces on the Forge World of Graia, several years after the events of Warhammer 40k: Space Marine.
Visually, the game is beautiful in its retro simplicity, a call back to an older era of gaming. The arcade style graphics create a sense of nostalgia, with visceral first-person gameplay.
However, one of the drawbacks for Boltgun is its level design. At times, the layout of levels can be confusing with little indication of where to go.
In terms of gameplay, the simple FPS battle style and general gameplay loop is great fun. Movement is sharp, precise and everything you would expect from a retro-inspired game.
Possibly the biggest talking point is the gunplay. The games’ namesake, the boltgun, is one of the most overpowered weapons we’ve played with in any game. It is an absolute blast to use, mowing down heretics and daemons with ease. The problem is that the other weapons in the game can’t hold a candle to it, creating a big imbalance in weapon variety.
If you love classic FPS games like DOOM or Quake, then this is the perfect game for you.
Here’s what we like about it
- Simple, addictive FPS style combat.
- Nostalgic retro-style graphics.
- Fluent movement mechanics.
Cons
- Imbalanced weaponry.
- Confusing level design.
5. Mechanicus (2018)
Developer: Bulwark Studios
Publishers: Kasedo Games, Kalypso Media Digital Ltd.
Available on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, GeoForce Now
Warhammer 40K: Mechanicus is a turn-based strategy game in the style of XCOM.
As Magos Dominus Faustinius Mechanicus, you command the Adeptus Mechanicus expedition to Silva Tenerbis, a recently re-discovered Necron planet.
On this mission, all your decisions count! The actions you choose dictate how the expedition goes and which direction it takes.
What is it about?
Throughout your play-through, you navigate the map, customise your army, and uncover new tech, all while fighting the planet’s Necron inhabitants.
As you choose your path, you encounter different events, it is then up to you to choose your next move.
Mechanicus is great for a more strategy-based gameplay experience, but comes with drawbacks to be aware of.
Early game is a nice challenge, but it starts to become too easy towards the end (this should be the other way around).
If you want more fun out of this game, there is a DLC called Heretek, which adds new weapons, a new character class, and missions.
Here’s what we like about it
- Huge range of customisation options.
- Replayability.
- Fun strategy based gameplay in the style of XCOM.
- Variety of enemies and mechanics.
- Great soundtrack.
Cons
- Poor difficulty scaling.
- Lack of comprehensive story.
