The sheer overwhelming amount of content in theWarhammer 40Kfranchise is easily one of its greatest strengths, but it can also be very intimidating for new fans. Given the number of spin-offs, sequels, and games that require prior knowledge of the franchise to be fully understood, it’s no wonder some fans struggle to get into the series at first.
From strategy games that encompass the total war aspect of40Kto more narrative-driven or fun-filled co-op games,the longstanding popularity of40Kmeansthere are plenty of options to choose fromdepending on your specific tastes. Even with the numerous options available, one entry stands out, offering a great introduction and satisfying gameplay in a single remastered bundle.
2011’s Space Marine Is The Best Warhammer 40K Video Game Starter Experience
A Great Intro That Leads To Even Better Heights
Out of all the games in the series,Warhammer 40,000: Space Marineis one of the simplest starting points for understanding the series,particularly for a few notable factions and its setting, while still offering a more than enjoyable standalone experience. Being the predecessor to the explosively popularWarhammer 40K: Space Marine 2,the originalSpace Marinelets you experience the world of40Kfrom the boots on the ground perspective of an Ultramarine legion of Space Marines.
Despite the more restrictive perspective of a single Astartes in an expansive galaxy-wide world,Warhammer 40K: Space Marineintroduces several core factions and aspects of the series that help to understand the greater universe at large. On top of the unique narrative and satisfying hack-and-slashing shooter experience, the original40K: Space Marineis the perfect jumping-off point into more fantastic gameplay experiences, whether it’s the acclaimed sequelSpace Marine 2or unique strategy games likeBattlefleet Gothic: Armada.
There Are Several Other Runners-Up, Too
The Warhammer 40K World Is Filled With Beginner-Friendly Entries
Suppose the gritty40K: Space Marineor its recent HD remake with theMaster Crafted Editionaren’t appealing to you. In that case,several other games in the series provide excellent starting points for their immersive gameplay potential.For satisfying shooter gameplay without as much story-related baggage, the recentWarhammer 40K: Boltgunis a classicDOOM-like that fulfills the power fantasy aspect of the series, or try outDarktideto explore the more human-like factions of the series in the style of a co-op horde shooter.
Of course, first and third-person shooters can only encompass so much of the expansiveWarhammer 40Kworld, with games likeDawn of Warbeing undeniable classics that introduce you to a plethora of iconic factions from the series. To makeDawn of Waran even better option,the classic strategy game is getting a remasteredDefinitive Editionon August 14, making the 2004 game even more accessible as another excellent starting point,alongsideWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine.
