Summary
After taking the tabletop gaming world by storm in 1987,Warhammer 40,000went on to spawn an innumerable collection of video game adaptations. FromSpace Hulkin 1993 toSpace Marine 2in 2024, the franchise has spanned decades, encapsulated more genres than many gamers even knew existed, and brought countless new players into the grim-dark world of the 41st millennium.
This list looks at the sevenWarhammer 40,000games with the best gameplay, ranking them on how well they play in their respective genres and how well they each compare to the others on the list. Due to the huge variety in formats, it can be difficult to compare theWarhammer 40,000games to each other. This list aims to recommend a game that best representsWarhammer 40,000’s offerings in each genre.
Warhammer 40,000: Dakka Squadronis a somewhat standard dog-fighting game in which the playertakes control of the flying force of the Orks, waging war against the Imperium of Man as well as other players. While this game is far from revolutionary in terms of flight simulation, it more than makes up for this in the uniquely Warhammer tone the entire experience takes on. From the banter between Orks to the aesthetics of the planes, everything feels fitting for a game centered around flying Orks.
There aren’t many vehicle-focusedWarhammer 40,000games, withDakka Squadronbeing the premier example. The game may fall short in certain respects, but overall, it is a satisfying game with a decent campaign that doesn’t overstay its welcome. Waging wagh from the air is simply fun, which is why this game finds itself on this list.
Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of Warwas the franchise’s initial expedition into the 4X strategy genre, having previously remained firmly within the Real-Time Strategy genre when making strategy games. As such,Gladiusfeels unique within the horde of RTS games based on Warhammer, yet it also feels unique when compared to other 4X games.
When discussing 4X games, many gamers will instantly bring upSid Meier’s Civilizationfranchise, possibly the greatest example of the genre. Compared to this,Gladiusis a truly solitary beast, forgoing the focus on diplomacy and trade to instead push a war-at-all-costs approach, which feels befitting of the setting. Build a base, raise an army, and crush opponents. It is a quintessentially Warhammer ethos and works perfectly as an example of the 4X genre.
Following the success ofWarhammer: End Times - VermintideandWarhammer: Vermintide 2, developer Fatshark was allowed to make a game set in the 40,000 universe. With this,Warhammer 40,000: Darktidewas born, a brutal, grungy first-person shooter that delved into the underbelly of the world, forgoing the bright shining armour of the Space Marines to instead show the lives of a group of “regular” individuals forced to fight to survive.
With Fatshark having a legacy of award-winning melee combat, proved by theVermintidegames,Darktidewas set up to succeed in gameplay terms, and it does so with flying colors. The melee and ranged combat all feel incredible, playing spectacularly as a co-op fps with a huge amount of character customization, allowing the game to be infinitely replayable.
Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicushas gone largely under-appreciated by the Warhammer fanbase, with only 10,000 reviews on Steam compared toDarktide’s 90,000. Despite this, it sits as an overwhelmingly positively received game, thanks largely to its meticulously crafted turn-based gameplay. Once again leaning away from the fan-favorite Space Marines, here the player takes control of theAdeptus Mechanicus, a cult that lives on Mars and worships a being known as the Omnissiah, who they believe inhabits all technology.
Upgrading units, strategizing for each conflict, and making difficult narrative decisions are all standard experiences forMechanicus, each tiny decision potentially leading to death. This game is the perfect option for any Warhammer fan who enjoys a turn-based experience without wanting a grand strategy game or for someone who simply wants to explore a faction other than the Space Marines.
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Traderis the premier example of a more traditional RPG experience set within the Warhammer universe. Developed by Owlcat Games, the studio best known for thePathfindergames,Rogue Tradergives the player control of a ship and the task of exploring the Koronus Expanse, building up a crew and making decisions that can lead to a multitude of endings for the group of misfits.
Rogue Traderis one of the better games for those unfamiliar with the Warhammer setting, giving the player control over which factions they wish to side with and allowing them to explore a section of space at their leisure. Outside of this, the action RPG gameplay is tightly crafted and ultimately makes the game worth a playthrough for any fans of thePathfindergames.
The sequel toWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine,Space Marine 2, continues the story of Lieutenant Titus after his betrayal at the end of the first game. Once again, he is tasked with fighting the enemies of humanity, this time the Tyranids rather than the Orks, with the second game in the series taking the original’s decent third-person shooter gameplay and tuning it into a hugely entertaining system that allows for hours of fun even after the campaign is finished.
While some Warhammer fans will be looking for a more tactical experience, those looking to get straight into the action of the franchise will find this game the perfect place to start. With end-game replayable missions and a PvP mode, this game is a great opportunity for those looking to sink plenty of time into a live-service experience.
The final entry on this list isWarhammer 40,000: Boltgun, an insanely funretro boomer-shooter that plays similarly to the originalDoomgames. Unlike the other FPS games in the Warhammer franchise,Boltgunaims to capture a nostalgia for a genre and aesthetic not often seen anymore, with pixel graphics and a simple yet beautifully effective gameplay loop.
While the game does have an engaging story, the narrative is less important to the overall experience than in other entries. This game is about the gameplay, and it thrives on it. Thanks to having such well-crafted gameplay elements,Boltguncan stand out among the other games set in the universe and holds itself up on the merits of its gameplay. Whether a gamer is a fan of Warhammer or not, this game is simply fun in a way that nothing else in the franchise can compare to.
