"It makes no difference what man thinks of Warhammer," said the Judge. "Warhammer endures. As well ask men what it thinks of stone, Warhammer has always been there. Before man was, Warhammer waited for him. The ultimate game series, awaiting the ultimate gamer."
While Cormac McCarthy did not have Games Workshop's legendary series in mind when he wrote Blood Meridian, the passage seems apt: there are so many Warhammer-inspired video games out there now that it seems like there was never a time before them.
With so many Warhammer options to choose from - there's a new one at least once every two weeks - it can be daunting for players who wish to get in on the action. Where to start? This list hopes to clarify what each of the current and upcoming games from both the Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 series are about, to help give you a single, go-to reference for all of your Warhammer desires.
First and foremost, the Warhammer app on iOS is a handy tool that can keep you up to date on all the latest offerings from Games Workshop. It covers all new expansion, miniatures, rule updates and game additions to nearly every aspect of the series.
(note: we will not address the older games that have come out more than a few years ago - sorry, Dawn of War - but will focus on the more recent titles that may still receive semi-regular updates)
Available now on various platforms:
Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon [PC] - REVIEW - this turn-based strategy title would be a great game...in the mid-to-late 90s. The gameplay is solid, featuring dozens of upgradeable units and vehicles but the less than modern graphics do Armageddon no favors whatsoever. Official website.
Warhammer 40,000: Carnage [iOS, Google Play] - this premium platforming title is heavy on the old ultraviolence, but that's one of its many charms. Players take up the role of a lone Space Marine, left alone on a hellish planet with nothing but a gun and a chainsaw standing between you the overwhelming forces of the Orkish horde. Though not a traditional Warhammer title - the series is known for its thoughtful strategy - Carnage dispenses with all of that and unleashes hell on phones. Definitely worth a pick up. Check out the trailer HERE.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Wolf - [iOS] - Space Wolf mixes the traditional Warhammer strategy with a card game to decent, at times wonderful, results. You lead a team of the galaxy's best commandoes on daring missions against the forces of chaos, upgrading units, weapons and abilities along the way. The game doesn't look half bad, either and is entirely free to play. Unfortunately, as with many F2P titles, the end game can be a long and slow crawl with little gains unless you fork over the money. Does require an internet or data connection to play. TRAILER.
Warhammer Quest [PC, iOS] - [Steam REVIEW] - Chilled Mouse's fantasy title may be one of the finest turn-based strategy titles on mobile devices. The PC port isn't half bad (even if it adds nothing really new to the experience). The game is accessible for both longtime strategy fans and newcomers alike. You guide a team of four generic heroes through various dungeons, getting into and out of scrapes, collecting loot and saving the world. If you have to pick, grab the mobile version. The gameplay is more suited to random, short sessions and not the thirty hour marathons you can get sucked into when playing PC titles. Trailer.
Warhammer 40,000: Storm Of Vengeance [PC, iOS] - Warhammer takes its epic and sprawling canon very, very seriously. Vengeance is a lane strategy title that puts you in command of either Space Marine or Orkish forces during a pivotal moment in the Warhammer 40,000 history. Comes with plenty of DLC for both mobile and PC to keep the game going a long time. View the trailer.
A lane game, huh? What will they think of next, a Clash of Clans entry?
The Horus Heresy: Drop Assault [iOS, Android] - Clash of Clans, in space! Though it does bear more of a passing resemblance to Boom Beach. Players choose a side in the history-altering Horus Heresy civil war and then impose their might on enemy forces. Everything you expect from a CoC clone. If you dig that game, there's something here for you, too. Trailer.
So, like, is there an Angry Birds type-
Warhammer: Snotling Fling [iOS, Android] - is there an Angry Birds Warhammer game? Of course there is! The latest entry into the mobile series, Snotling Fling lets you - quite literally - catapult those lovable scamps, the Snotlings, into enemy buildings. A goofy game, great for the kids. Don't believe me? Just watch.
Space Hulk: Ascension Edition [PC] - Full Control's second foray into the Warhammer license has been a resounding success. We recommend the original Space Hulk for longtime fans of the series, but newcomers will find the difficulty level...punishing, to say the least. Ascension Edition eases off the gas and delivers a great and at times thrilling turn-based squad title. Two DLC packs are currently available, with more on the way. Watch the trailer.
Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team [PC, Xbox 360, PS3] - released back in 2011 on consoles, this 3rd person shooter game reuses a lot of assets from the disappointing Dawn of War II to middling success. The classes are a bit unbalanced and the extremely short campaign and non-existent multiplayer (there's a two person same screen, same room co-op mode, though) make it hard to justify even the $9.99 price tag. Still, if you're looking for some simple 'point and shoot' twin-stick action, this can fulfill that hunger. Check it out.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine [PC] - released in 2011, this third person squad shooter is still worth a download. It even has a full set of DLC should you wish to expand the massive single player campaign or take the fight on line in 8 v 8 battles to the death. It is literally the Space Marine genre of sci-fi shooters, distilled. Check out the trailer HERE.
Blood Bowl: Chaos Edition [PC] - the game for sports fans who like their sports a little more violent, Blood Bowl is the very fun, surprisingly complicated football-meets-Warhammer game. Players can suit up as one of 23 teams in an absolutely no holds barred pigskin fight to the death. Real time sports, say hello to turn-based strategy. Trailer.
Blood Bowl [iOS, Android] - not to be outdone, Blood Bowl has been ported - along with all of the bugs, sadly - to tablets. Great for an on-the-go experience, and certainly the $1 price tag is nothing to sneeze at. You can do better, but man, it is a long time from now until football season.
Mordheim: City Of The Damned [PC] - currently out in Early Access, City of the Damned is the first adaptation of the gothic-horror Warhammer series and one of the best looking WH games to date. Players can command one of several warbands as they navigate through the wretched Empire city of Mordheim, scavenging for the fragments of a fallen comet called the Wyrdstone. The game features excellent turn based strategy, perma-death, single and multiplayer modes, a great upgrade system and is most assuredly: 'newcomers not allowed'. Trailer.
You can play all of these games right now. Click here to read part two of our list, which focuses on upcoming Warhammer titles!
Of course, let us not forget: