Best Warhammer 40K games of all time

Warhammer 40K is the most popular miniature game in the world, but the franchise also has a rich history in the world of video games too. There have been a ridiculous number of games over the past few decades so we’ve been sifting through them — all the way from the original Space Crusade back in 1992 through to the recently-released Space Marine 2 — to put together our definitive list of the best Warhammer 40K games of all time.

Given that Warhammer 40K is a tabletop strategy game, it makes sense that the Lion El'Johnson’s share of 40K video games have been strategy games — either real-time or turn-based — but there has been a surprising amount of genre diversity too. We’ve had first-person shooters, action brawlers, RPGs; hell there was even a chess game at one point!

With so many varied games to rank, it’s been tough to nail down a categorical order for the top ten, so don’t launch a Black Crusade against us if you’d have shuffled a few entries about. Oh and some quick house-keeping before we get started; we’re only counting full releases, not expansions, or this list would just be 50% Dawn of War expansions. Right, board the drop pod and let's get to it — here’s our list of the best Warhammer 40K games of all time.

If you’re looking for other specific gaming picks, you might want to check out our list of the best space exploration games or maybe the all-spooky best space horror games list. And, if you want to get into Warhammer 40K but don’t know how to cut down costs, we’ve got you covered with some recommendations on how to save money on Warhammer 40K too. For the Emperor! 

11. Warhammer 40K: Darktide

• Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S
• Developer: Fatshark

Warhammer 40K really lends itself to first-person shooters filled with bullets and blood, and we’re surprised Games Workshop hasn’t explored that genre more often, but we’re getting there. Darktide launched only a few months ago, and it’s already caused a strong impression despite an overall lack of polish that’s being fixed as we speak.

The key here is that Fatshark’s natural talent for punchy and brutal combat is all there, brought over from the two Warhammer: Vermintide games they made before. Darktide follows the watertight four-player co-op FPS formula that was popularized by Valve’s Left 4 Dead back in the day, so you know what you’re getting into. Just make sure your PC is up to par or snag the console release (it's out on Xbox and rumoured to be hitting the PS5 very soon).

10. Space Hulk: Tactics

• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
• Developer: Cyanide Studio

2018 brought us a pretty solid adaptation of the tabletop miniatures board game Space Hulk. This is a two-player versus game that distills Warhammer 40K into a cheaper, quicker, and tighter experience set in derelict spaceships and other pieces of space junk floating adrift and run over by Tyranids.

The game features two single-player campaigns, competitive multiplayer, and a skirmish mode. Moreover, it packs an impressive map builder that allows players to cook up and share their own maps. Just be aware that this one is very punishing.

9. Warhammer 40K: Battlesector

• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One/Series X|S
• Developer: Black Lab Games

Battlesector is another recent 40K game release that flew under the radar. However, both veteran gamers and fans have praised its take on turn-based tactics on a larger scale than usual, which results in a slower-paced and more meditative approach too.

The mission design can often be monotonous, but the moment-to-moment gameplay and the systems gluing everything together work well enough to achieve one of the best digital representations of the miniature wargame around. We’d love to see a bigger and better sequel of this one.

8. Warhammer 40K: Gladius – Relics of War

• Platforms: PC, Linux
• Developer: Proxy Studios

Gladius – Relics of War mixes Warhammer 40K and 4X (explore, expand, exploit, exterminate) systems. On paper this sounds like a match made in heaven and it largely succeeds at doing Sid Meier’s Civilization but 40K. If that sounds attractive, give it a fair shake.

While its older 4X brothers are far more addicting, Gladius’ more fast-paced nature and strong commitment to the 40K universe (diplomacy ain’t an option) make it an oddly relaxing – and unsurprisingly darker – take on a well-trodden formula.

7. Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2

• Platforms: PC
• Developer: Tindalos Interactive

If you like spaceships (which is likely if you’re an avid reader of our site) and real-time tactics in your games, then Battlefield Gothic: Armada 2 is a safe bet. It adapts the 40K miniature wargame of the same name, and it does so with style.

This one features three narrative campaigns and 12 playable factions, with the option of doing co-op multiplayer as well. Even if you’re not well-versed in the Warhammer 40K universe, anyone into space strategy games should check this one out.

6. Warhammer 40K: Mechanicus

• Platforms: PC, macOS, Linux, Android, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
• Developer: Bulwark Studios

Mechanicus is yet another turn-based video game that follows a very specific faction of the human Imperium. This time around it’s all about the Adeptus Mechanicus, a group of cybernetically enhanced warrior priests. That sounds rad, and we promise that the game is rad too.

It’s also one of the few turn-based 40K titles that stick more closely to the obvious XCOM inspiration, so it might be an easier recommendation for players who are looking for that specific take on tactical battles. On top of the solid gameplay, the flexible customization and notable worldbuilding are highlights.

5. Warhammer 40K: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters

• Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5
• Developer: Complex Games

Warhammer 40K: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters was released in 2022, but it’s already become a favorite among fans thanks to its strong focus on the Grey Knights, a chapter of Space Marines composed of psychics whose purpose is the combat and eradication of the daemonic forces of Chaos.

Daemonhunters is a single-player, turn-based strategy game that does way more than just replicating XCOM with Space Marines; it’s largely unforgiving and deceptively deep. The audio-visual presentation is also top notch, making the ferocious battles a blast to watch play out.

4. Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War II

• Platforms: PC, macOS, Linux
• Developers: Relic Entertainment

Dawn of War diehards never fully embraced Dawn of War II, but it’s still one of the franchise’s finest gaming efforts and deserves its own spot in the list. It can’t be denied that it cemented itself as a sequel that can stand on its own thanks to a heavier focus on RPG elements.

Dawn of War II received two major expansion packs plus a fair amount of DLC that rounded out the experience, eventually nullifying complaints about the removal of the base-building element and the repetition found in some missions of the campaign. If you’ve exhausted the first Dawn of War’s options, give its first sequel a chance. We don’t talk about the third one though.

3. Warhammer 40K: Space Marine

• Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
• Developer: Relic Entertainment

With Space Marine 2 's recent release, there’s never been a better time to play (or replay) the 2011 original, especially after the free anniversary upgrade it got on PC in 2021.

Even before the announcement of a sequel, Space Marine has always had many fans. This was with good reason as it perfectly represents the brutality of the Space Marines up close and personal through a third-person view and visceral melee and ranged combat. Some of the Imperium’s biggest enemies are featured heavily in this one, and the plot is easy to follow, so it’s a nice entry point for newcomers too.

2. Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2

• Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5
• Developer: Saber Interactive

We had to wait 13 long years for the follow-up to Titus’s story, but it was well worth the wait because Space Marine 2 is a bloody masterpiece, in every sense of the word. The story picks up sometime after the end of the first game, and sees Titus rejoining the Ultramarines to take on a brand new foe — the insectoid menace of the Tyranids. 

Saber Interactive used the swarm technology they developed for their World War Z game to bring the endless hordes of the Tyranids to life, resulting in some truly epic brawls as Titus as a couple of his fellow Space Marines butcher their way through literally thousands of chittering bugs in the name of the Emperor.

Space Marine 2 is a real graphical powerhouse, and easily the best looking Warhammer 40K game we’ve ever had, both in terms of raw fidelity and attention to detail — there are so many little nods and references for 40K fans to enjoy as they hack and slash their way through the campaign, co-op, and PvP game modes. Beyond the looks though, Space Marine 2 also offers a deeply satisfying combat loop that will keep you coming back for more.

1. Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War

• Platforms: PC
• Developers: Relic Entertainment

40K fans and real-time strategy veterans alike agree that the original Dawn of War is one of the best PC games ever, period. Relic Entertainment once cracked the code and delivered an all-timer which is both accessible and unique. It perfectly adapts many of the miniature game and its universe’s nuances into a modern classic that nailed both the base-building aspect and the relentless combat across desolate scenarios.

Furthermore, Dawn of War packed spectacular story campaigns, a solid roster of units for all factions, and the option to customize the armies’ colors plus basic aesthetics. And, since it was a massive commercial hit, it received three chunky expansion packs which we 100% recommend. More specifically, the second expansions, Dark Crusade, which still to this day feels like a high point for the RTS genre.