Starfighter 2 seems to be the hit of the moment, a fantastic showcase for the Warhammer 40K universe, full of gore, action, and brotherhood. As of this writing, the morning before the game’s release has passed for those who don’t want to shell out the big bucks for a special edition, and it’s already topped the Steam bestsellers charts. You don’t have to be a psychic to see the future and see that it’s going to be a hit.
With all that, it could well become a gateway game for all kinds of gamers into the wider 40K IP. And that’s a good thing! Warhammer 40K is a core pillar of modern science fiction, as well as the UK economy. But where should Space Marine 2 fans go next for their next dark action masterpiece? If you like SM2, here are a few games that are definitely worth checking out!
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Warhammer 40:000 Dark Tide
While it might be fun to march around as a Space Marine kicking Tyranids to death with your big boots, why not tone it down a bit in terms of size and power? Darktide is an excellent co-op first-person shooter similar to a little game you may have heard of called Left for Dead, as well as Vermintide (an equally excellent fantasy predecessor from the same developer).
Dark Tides puts you in the shoes of a brave or desperate member of the Imperium of Man, tasked with fighting off a Nurgle-infested Brood World. It’s an absolute joy to play, especially with a few friends, and each class has its own unique twist that warrants plenty of exploration.
The game had a bit of a rocky launch, but since then it’s had various updates, fixes, and even a major DLC update, all of which have put it in a pretty good spot right now. If you want to experience the action of Starfighter II from a different perspective, give it a try.
Warhammer 40:000 Speed Monster
Who cares about Space Marines anyway? All the boys know green is best. If you feel the same way, then Warhammer 40:000 Speed Freeks is definitely worth a try. It’s a vehicular action game in the style of Twisted Metal or Crossout, where you take control of an Ork-cobbled vehicle and engage in deadly races and maneuvering carnage. It’s another side of the 40K universe, but definitely a lot of fun.
There are some cool customizations for the various vehicles, you can unlock new vehicles, and there’s plenty of dakka for Orks fans to enjoy. Probably the best thing about Speed Freeks is that it’s free, fully supported by microtransactions. So you can try it out for free and see if it’s for you. Definitely worth a look!
Warhammer 40:000 Rogue Merchant
Now onto a completely different genre of game. If you’re willing to forgo the action-packed EverQuest games in favor of a classic CRPG, then Rogue Trader fits the 40k setting very nicely. In this game, you play as a rogue trader, a galactic trading magnate aiming to recapture and manage the various worlds under their control. This certainly means a little bit of management skills are required, but mostly you’ll be controlling a cast of diverse and very interesting characters that you meet.
It’s a brilliant narrative adventure that travels through the world of 40k and covers aspects of the universe that are completely different from Space Marine 2. It can be a little glitchy at times, and since it’s the work of Owlcat Games, the difficulty can be pretty brutal. But save often and switch to an appropriate difficulty, and you’ll be ready.
Warhammer 40:000 Dawn of War
If you like retro stuff (yes, this game was released 20 years ago, so it’s probably outdated now), then the Dawn of War series is definitely worth a try. The original Dawn of War is a classic, and its various expansions are of decent quality, making it a cheap and fun game worth playing.
The game is a real-time strategy game where players control factions and build an army to defeat their enemies. On easier difficulties, the game is a relaxing and enjoyable game, while on harder difficulties, the game is an addictive thumper. You also get the chance to learn about the origins of Blood Ravens, the original chapter of the Warhammer video game.
After playing Dawn of War, you might also want to check out the sequels. They have slightly different styles, but are both pretty great. Go back in time and watch the last of the Warhammer video games at the height of their golden age.
Warhammer 40,000, tabletop game
Look, there are no shortcuts, all roads lead to Rome. If you love customizing your Space Marines for Operations or Eternal Warfare mode, it’s pretty awesome to be able to do it in real life with a box of plastic, a paintbrush, and dozens of paints.
Regardless, for those eager to wade into the ocean of plastic, there are some great places to start. Try a star collector box for a cool-looking faction, or check out the Kill Team box for a small-scale approach. The only thing you could possibly do wrong is spend a ton of money on a faction you don’t care about.
Once you’ve bought a box and painted it, you have to decide if you want to keep going. If not, you’ll just have some cool dolls to put on your shelf. If you do, then you can slowly build up. Be warned though, this is an expensive hobby. More expensive than video games, believe it or not.
So there you have it, some suggestions for StarCraft II players looking to get deeper into the Warhammer 40,000 universe. There are plenty of other games we haven’t mentioned that are well worth your time, but you can’t go wrong starting with one of these.
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