Summary
Warhammerhas captured imaginations everywhere since the 1980s. Boasting not one but two universes,Warhammer Fantasy/Age Of Sigmar,and the ever-popularWarhammer 40,000.Both universes boast a near-endless library of video games. From strategy titles such asBattlesectorandTotal War: Warhammerto action titles such asVermintideandthe incredibly successfulSpace Marine 2.
But what about games for those dedicatedWarhammerfans who have somehow powered through all the thousands of hours of gaming content set in both franchises? Or those who want more games with a similar feel or tone? ThoseWarhammerfanatics need to look no further.
Ever wanted to be an Imperial Guardsman? Of course not. But if any game really captures the inspiration for The Imperium’s unnumbered hordes, it’sBattlefield 1.
Set in the horror of World War One,Battlefield 1might not be historically accurate, but it is authentic to the time period. Tanks and planes zoom overhead as two teams of thirty-two players duke it out with an arsenal of guns. Should a team start to lose too badly they’re reinforced with colossal vehicles such as zeppelins or armored trains. Coupled with a dirty, desaturated color palette that looks like the inspiration for every grimdark painting tutorial onYouTubeand the option to completely lay waste to the landscape. It makes the perfect multiplayer romp for anyWarhammerfan.
WhileWarhammer’sgame library is expansive and covers an array of factions, we’ve yet to get a game that allows players to take up the role of a Primarch. The genetic templates for Space Marine implants. Each of the twenty Primarchs are, or were, demigods of war, able to lay waste to entire armies single-handedly.
Doom’sDoomguy, is probably the closest players can get to the extreme power fantasy of playing a Primarch. The brutal close-quarters fighting, feeling like a whirlwind of destruction, and the narrative of being the only thing between mankind and utter obliteration.DoomandDoom Eternalreally capture the spirit of how loyalist Primarchs are depicted in the lore. And with theupcomingDoom: The Dark Agesnow would be a great time for anyWarhammerfan to tryDoom.
ShouldWarhammerfans be in the mood to start off their own “Black Crusade” or “WAAAGH”, they’ll findStellarisa blast. Providing players with an opportunity to create their own alien civilization and conquer or befriend the galaxy. The game even has flags and cultural traits referencingWarhammer 40,000.
Using the game’s civics, ethics, and governments, you can really just copy the culture and style of any faction from the Grimdark Future. The galaxy-consuming Tyranids are playable using the hive-mind government. Want the Mechanicus? Materialist ethics, oligarchy government—players really can recreate any faction, or make their ownWarhammer-inspiredempire to wage war upon the galaxy. Players can take their factions to combat other futuristic threats that’d be right at home in the grimdark future—be they automated warships, ancient empires fallen from power, or galaxy-ending threats.
Warhammeris intended as satire. So over the top that nobody takes it entirely seriously.Helldivers 2leans heavily into its own parody of militarism and authoritarianism. While this parody is more openly humorous, it isn’t lacking in excessive action or fun sci-fi tropes.
The enemies ofHelldivers 2all feel straight out ofWarhammer. The Terminids are similar to the Tyranids both visually and during gameplay. The Illuminate are aneldritch army of highly advanced alienssimilar to the Aeldari and Necrons. The Automatons have several visual parallels to Chaos, such as spiked armor on certain units and leaving corpses as decoration. The game even features a weapon inspired by the iconic bolter used by Space Marines.
Evil alien empires? Check. Lovecraftian horrors ready to tear the galaxy asunder? Check. Super soldiers the only thing between mankind and extinction? Check.Halo: The Master Chief Collectionhas it all.
While tonally different from theWarhammerfranchise.Halo’smagnificent megastructures and spacefaring theocracies will make fans feel right at home. The original trilogy takes place in what appears to be the waning days of mankind, hunted to extinction by the zealous alien empire known as the Covenant. Players take the role of a super soldier, and occasionally an alien, tasked with stopping the invading hordes who are mistakenly trying to activate colossal ancient super weapons.Warhammerfans can expect constant action, massive crazy set-pieces, and a collection that isstill active to this day.
Tabletop Simulatoris probably no stranger to anyWarhammerfan with a Steam account. A framework designed to be modded,Tabletop Simulatoris able to recreate any tabletop game you can think of and then play it remotely through online multiplayer or Steam’s remote play together.
For those getting into the hobby,Tabletop Simulatorcan be a great way to tryWarhammerout, before committing large sums of money to buying an army. But there’s more here to entice even long-timeWarhammerfans. It can be a way to try outWarhammersystems they’ve yet to play or even expand into other tabletop games such asDungeons And DragonsorTrench Crusade.
The Witcher 3: Wild Huntis a dark fantasy, something familiar to fans ofWarhammer Fantasy Battles. WithCD Projekt Reddeveloping a newWitchergame, now would be the perfect time to dive into the series.
The game’s world revolves around apocalyptic magic, ignorance among the general populace, and terrifying monsters. The antagonists, the ‘Wild Hunt’ are something Chaos players will especially love. Eredin’s warriors are evil, monstrous, and with a goal to destroy the world. This isn’t even touching on the eldritch shadow society of vampires or the mysterious god-like being that is Gaunter O’Dimm from the game’s expansions.
The Total War: Warhammerseriesmight still be getting updates, but if some fans want more dark, brooding strategy games,Total War: Attilamight be worth a look.
Set during the early Dark Ages. The game depicts a world straight out of a dark fantasy novel, despite the fact it is real history. Political instability and wars were rife across Europe as the Western Roman Empire crumbled. Then from the east came Attila and his Huns, rampaging across the continent until finally being defeated. Much of this came to be an inspiration forWarhammer Fantasy Battles.Total War: Attilaallows players to take the role of one of the Roman emperors, tribes such as the Saxons and Lombards, or even as Attila himself, laying waste to, or trying to save, the Roman Empire.
TheCall Of Dutyfranchise is still going strong today, withBlack Ops6offering a variety of modes. But it also continues the universe established inCall Of Duty: World At War.
A brutally dark game.World At Wardoes not shy away from the grim realities of the Second World War, another major inspiration for theWarhammer 40,000universe. Players can expect a far cry from the fun action-filled romps of more modernCall Of Dutytitles and instead face a campaign filled with morally questionable actions, a world torn apart by war, and an atmosphere that rivals some of the greatest psychological horror games. If that seems a bit too much, fans ofCall Of Duty’sZombies mode can play the original version inWorld At War,employing a much more tongue-in-cheek tone, and complete with crazy over-the-top wonder weapons. Oddly enough, that all seems like somethingWarhammerfans would love.
TheDarkest Dungeonfranchise is unapologetically “grimdark” and full of brooding atmosphere. The games take place during an ongoing apocalypse, one that only our heroes have any hope of stopping.
The gameplay of theDarkest Dungeonseries is thematically brilliant. Players are hiring heroes who will fight and die for them. Heroes can and almost certainly will die regularly. And outside of special events, they will not be coming back. Much like theWarhammertabletop games, strategy and composition are key. Players have to be careful and make surethey’re well-rounded enoughto deal with whatever might be lurking in the depths.
