Summary
Games Workshop’s popular sci-fi and fantasy settings have enjoyed numerous video game releases since the early 90s. Classic titles, includingSpace Hulk,Total War: Warhammer, andDawn of War, have garnered dedicated player bases since their release. While most Games Workshop games fall into the real-time strategy or turn-based strategy genres, some of the most popular games in GW history are first-person shooters.
While fewer in number, these action-packed titles have grown to enjoy large player bases, with some becoming classics of theWarhammerhobby world and even breaking through into mainstream gaming. With their fast gameplay,iconic enemies, and beloved weaponry, FPS games are the perfect way to experience the dark and gritty worlds of theWarhammer FantasyandWarhammer 40,000settings.
Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warriorwas Games Workshop’s first attempt at a first-person shooter and revolved around the Tau faction, who were first introduced in the 3rd edition ofWarhammer 40,000two years previously, in 2001.
In the game, players control Tau Fire Warrior, Shas’la Kais, as theytake on the forces of the Imperiumand Chaos. The game featured a multiplayer mode, along with its solo campaign, with three different game modes and eight maps. While the game was met with generally unfavorable reviews, due to its less-than-polished gameplay and simple level design,Fire Warriorstill managed to find some critical praise and a small player base on the PlayStation 2 version.
7Warhammer 40,000: Battle Sister
Experience 40k In VR
In this VR-exclusive FPS game, players take on the role of a Sister of Battle, a religious warrior of the Adepta Sororitas, tasked with purging the enemies of humanity. In the game, players confront the many legions of Chaos, from daemons, cultists, and chaos space marines tocolossal machines of war.
Fans of40kwill easily enjoy the setting and numerous enemies featured inBattle Sister, which includes the iconic Chaos Knights and even the terrifying Brass Scorpion. However, its thin storyline and clunky gameplay offer only a few hours of fun, which may not appeal to a broader audience.
6Space Hulk: Deathwing
Explore The Dark Corridors Of A Lost Spaceship
Based on Games Workshop’s iconic tabletop board game,Space Hulk: Deathwingis a solid FPS experience for fans of the setting. Featuring a solo-player campaign and a multiplayer mode for teams of four,Deathwinghas strong gameplay in an immersive and well-designed world.
In the game, players take control of a squad of Terminators from the Dark Angels Space Marine Chapter. They are tasked with destroying ahive of Genestealerswho have taken root in an ancient derelict vessel, known as a space hulk. As Space Marines wearing the heavy Terminator armor, the gameplay can feel a little slow and clunky, as players power through the dark corridors, killing waves of genestealers. However, while better titles are available,Deathwingrecreates the grimdark universe perfectly and will appeal to40kfans for its fun action and iconic setting.
5Necromunda: Hired Gun
Challenging Fast-Paced Action
Necromunda: Hired Gunis based on Games Workshop’s popular tabletop gameNecromunda, which is set in theWarhammer 40,000universe. Taking place within a large hive city plagued with warring gangs, players take on the role of a mercenary tasked with uncovering an underworld conspiracy.
However, the story featured inHired Gunis secondary and acts simply as a vessel for the action, which is fast, tough, and relentless. From the game’s hub world, players choose different jobs of varying difficulty, from side quests to main story missions. The player’s abilities and weapons can also be upgraded before embarking on a new mission.Hired Guncan be extremely challenging and is probably not designed for casual gaming. However, the setting is well-realized, and fans of the tabletop game will love this immersive dive into the underworlds of the far future.
Set in the early days of the End Times,Warhammer Fantasy’s dramatic conclusion before the introduction of theAge of Sigmar,Vermintideis an epic FPS fantasy multiplayer where teams of players take on the hordes of Skaven.
Set around the Imperial city of Ubersreik, players can choose from five heroes, each with a different playstyle, using various ranged or melee attacks. Throughout each playthrough, players must hold off waves of enemies as they progress to the end of the level. Vermintide’s simple, action-focused, team-based gameplay allows for hours of fun and is one of the few games of its kind featured in theWarhammer Fantasyuniverse.
Vermintide 2is the epic sequel to the popularWarhammer FantasyFPS multiplayer game, where players take on the endless swarms of Skaven and their Chaos allies. The game follows directly on from the first title, with the heroes escaping from the Skaven dungeon and continuing their fight to stop the opening of a portal known as the Skittergate.
Vermintide 2offers fans ofWarhammer Fantasyhours of fast-paced action, as teams of four players explore the numerous levels, surviving huge waves of enemies and defeating terrifying bosses. The game was an improvement on the original in almost every way, with great gameplay, well-designed levels, and crisp visuals. The game still maintains a strong player base and has enjoyed regular updates and expansions. As one of the few Games Workshop FPS titles to feature in theFantasyuniverse,Vermintide 2is a sleek and immersive shooter.
Fatshark’s spiritual successor toVermintide 2brings players into the grimdark future of the 41st millennium. In the game, players take on the role of a squad of Inquisition agents tasked with stopping a chaos uprising on the planet of Tertium.
With more gun-focused gameplay, players can choose between four classes and can customize both their appearance and gender, as well as various weapon loadouts and abilities. WhileDarktidehad a shaky start on release, it has since grown a dedicated player base, with much improved gameplay and fun expansions. Fans of the40ksetting will love the non-stop actionDarktideoffers, as playersdestroy the endless hordesof poxwalkers, mutants, and cultists.
In recent years, the gaming world has seen the welcome return of retro-style FPS games. Taking inspiration from classic titles such asDoom,Quake, orWolfenstein, these exceptionally fun titles offer simple storylines and non-stop action.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgunbrings this beloved style of gaming to the grimdark future of the 41st millennium. In the game, players take control of Malum Caedo, a Space Marine Sternguard Veteran of the Ultramarines Chapter. Sent on a mission to the planet Graia to stop a Chaos Sorcerer from using a dangerous and mysterious power source, Malum is quickly beset by thecountless daemons, cultists, and Chaos Space Marines.Boltgunbrings plenty of fast, nostalgic, and brutal fun, and is one of the very bestWarhammer 40kgames available today.
