The best Warhammer 40K games will immerse you in the violent, brutal, and grim, dark future of the 41st millennium.
The games, books, and animations of Warhammer 40,000 depict a far future filled with extreme violence. But despite being incredibly depressive, this extremist sci-fi universe resonates with millions of fans around the world. It somehow refines the human struggle in a harrowing way that’s somehow so alluring.
The best Warhammer 40K games also have those captivating aspects within them. While there are a ton of 40K games out there, only a handful of them actually convey the constant struggle of the grim, dark future. In this list, we’ll be focusing on those Warhammer 40K games like the most recent Rogue Trader.
5. Space Hulk – Deathwing
Drawing inspiration from the atmospheric lore of the Warhammer 40K universe, Space Hulk – Deathwing takes you to the deepest residents of the hive fleet. If Necrons are the race you hate the most, you’ll enjoy every second of your Warhammer 40,000: Space Hulk – Deathwing gameplay.
As one of the best Warhammer 40K games, this visceral first-person shooter also supports co-op gameplay. This means that you can now dive into its intense gameplay with your gaming group and dive into a 40K-fused action. It shares thematic similarities with Helldivers 2 too!
4. Darktide
Warhammer 40,000 is often about supersoldiers fighting against hordes of aliens in desperate situations. That said, the most recent game set in the 41st millennium offers a refreshing departure from that concept. As one of the best games based on this universe in recent memory, Darktide puts you in the shoes of a desperate outcast with a weapon.
As one of the units the Imperium gladly forget, your task is to take on hordes of infected in the underground of Tertium. You’re not alone in this mission, though, as Darktide is a four-player co-op shooter.
3. Space Marine
Warhammer 40,000 fans consider Space Marine a classic in the series that desperately needed a sequel. The developers finally heard their call, as the long-awaited sequel will make planetfall this year. In the original game, though, you become Captain Titus of the Ultramarines and lead the charge against enemies like Orks and Chaos forces.
Although the premise might seem a bit generic, Space Marine was considered one of the best Warhammer 40K games for its refreshing take on the universe. Its visceral gameplay offers a mix of huge guns and melee attacks to fight across vast battlegrounds. On top of that, Space Marine also featured a gripping story and memorable characters throughout its story. Naturally, the story of the sequel also revolves around the beloved protagonist of the first game.
2. Mechanicus
Warhammer 40,000 Mechanicus is one of the most unique games set in the grim, dark future created by Games Workshop. The critically acclaimed turn-based strategy game makes you the leader of Imperum’s most technologically advanced army.
Unlike the plethora of other 40K titles, Mechanicus comes with a brilliant gameplay formula inspired by XCOM and similar titles. Its balanced gameplay, solid AI, and remarkable depiction of the mysterious Cult Mechanicus make it one of the best Warhammer 40K games ever made. Its tactical gameplay also deserves praise.
1. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Unification Mod
There is no doubt the first entry in the Dawn of War trilogy is simply at the top of the best Warhammer 40K games ever made. This incredible strategy game delivered a bulletproof RTS gameplay that was just perfect. It reached a level so high that probably no other RTS game would ever take it down from his throne.
Thanks to the Unification Mod, Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War offers a colossal roster of factions. Hence its name, this amazing mod brings tens of Space Marine chapters, different clans of xeno factions, and many more into one game. Ultimately, it renders the original Dawn of War the best Warhammer 40K game you can ever play. Naturally, it’s also one of the top 10 nostalgic games to play in 2024.
Final Thoughts
There is no doubt that we’ll continue to see a barrage of Warhammer 40K games in the future. However, the number of games in production should be fewer each year due to longer development periods.
Still, with Space Marine 2 on the way, fans of the 41st millennium shouldn’t be worried at all. That’s because the best Warhammer 40K games still retain their glory in 2024.
Author Profile
- My journey into the world of video games began at four, when I was first introduced to arcade machines in 1996. Over the past decades, I've been fortunate enough to witness the incredible evolution of gaming, as it has grown from a niche hobby to a thriving art. Today, I'm dedicated to creating content that celebrates all genres of games. We will talk about them at Player.me.