Space Marine 2 has been a runaway success and one of the best games set in the Warhammer 40,000 (40k) universe in years. Selling millions of copies across multiple platforms, the game has made fans new and old fall back in love with the grimdark setting of 40k.
But if you just can’t get enough of the grim future of the 41st Millennium (even with a new Space Marine 2 update), you don’t have to put down the controller (or keyboard and mouse) just yet. There’s dozens of other titles across the setting, focusing on everything from more Space Marines, to the Imperial Navy, underhive heretics, the Adeptus Mechanicum, and even the bestial Orks.
Here’s the 10 best 40k games not named Space Marine 2 you can play next!
Image Credit: Fatshark
A co-op shooter more reminiscent of Left 4 Dead than Space Marine, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide has seen a surge in popularity in the wake of Space Marine 2’s release. That means there’s plenty of players online if you’re using matchmaking. But the game falls down slightly on the lack of initial content and limited platforms – only PC and Xbox. Still, this is a perfect choice if you’re not quite satisfied with just playing a Space Marine and instead fancy something a bit more mundane.
Image Credit: Owlcat Games
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is the closest we’re going to get to a Baldur’s Gate 3-style 40k game, and it does a great job giving you a more immersive way to play. A look into the murkier parts of the Imperium of Man that don’t usually get seen in games, such as the endless bureaucracy and the dystopia elements that sometimes take a back-seat to epic battles, Rogue Trader is a full drink of lore and litany for Warhammer fans.
Image Credit: Auroch Digital
Retro-styled Doom-clone with a tangential link to the lore of Space Marine 1 & 2, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is still worth dipping into for some mindless killing of demons, traitor guard, and Chaos Space marines. The game genuinely feels like it fell out of a portal to the 1990’s with, complete with all the beautiful sprite work that a Doom-clone should have. There’s so much to love about this we suggest you give it a try as soon as possible.
Image Credit: Bulwark Studios
X-Com meets 40k with the squad-based tactics of Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus. Take control of a squad of tech priests as they attempt to search for technological secrets hidden by foul xenos. This is one of the very few games around that gives you the perspective of the Adeptus Mechanicus, and like
Image Credit: Tindalos Interactive
When you’re on the Battle Barge in Space Marine 2, ever wonder what it would be like to control one of those gigantic space ships for yourself? Well with Battlefleet Gothic: Armada you can stop wondering. This is a real treat of a game, and one of our personal favorites, even with its mixed reviews. The space ships in 40k are more like ironsides and galleons than modern battleships, so there’s really nothing else like this classic fleet battle game.
Image Credit: Rogueside
One of the most unique entries on this list, Warhammer 40,000: Shooters, Blood & Teef is a multiplayer side-scrolling shoot ‘em up in the same vein as Metal Slug or games like that. Orks are always one of the more comedic parts of the 40k universe, and Shooters, Blood & Teef embraces that, pitting the imperium as a series of increasingly bombastic enemies rather than your usual allies.
Image Credit: Relic Entertainment
Perhaps one of the most beloved RTS games of all time, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War is the definitive tactical 40k game. With multiple factions to take control of, years of mods support, and a die-hard fanbase, if you’ve not played Dawn of War and are a fan of 40k, you’re missing out.
Image Credit: Phosphor Game Studios
Another dose of Ork-based shenanigans, Warhammer 40,000: Dakka Squadron puts you in control of Ork flyboys in their somewhat ill-fated missions. An arcade-style shooter with tones of style and flair, there’s really nothing like Dakka Squadron in the rest of the 40k games library, so worth trying on for size.
Image Credit: Streum On Studio
Regarded as a hidden gem, Space Hulk: Deathwing is the gritty first-person 40k shooter many people have always wanted. While Space Marine 2 and other titles are often a little bit more arcade-like in the way they handle combat, Deathwing is a pure FPS set in the grimdark future of 40k. The Enhanced Edition is the best way to play this, thanks to the new features and a richer multiplayer mode.
Image Credit: Relic Entertainment
The one thing better than the sequel? The original. Look, if you’ve not played it, you’re missing out. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine came out at a time where cover shooters and FPS ruled the gaming space, and there really wasn’t anything like it around.
The game arguably has better healing mechanics, and has a different variety of enemies for you to slay your way through – even if you’ll be spoilt on the ending from playing the second game.
While there are literally hundreds of games set in the 40k universe now, we think the above are some of the best. We’ve also left out some of the sequels to each of these games, which have a varying level of quality and longevity. So even if you’ve beaten Space Marine 2 and you’re sick of the multiplayer, there’s plenty of grimdark left to explore!
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