7 – Dawn of War 2: Anniversary Edition
The Dawn of War franchise did a lot to cement the Warhammer 40K franchise as a strategy game that could be something more than a mere adaptation of the tabletop to digital, in particular, the first game of the series, which became an instant RTS classic. A couple of years later, Dawn of War 2 arrived, a game that evolved the formula once more, and took a massive departure from the base-building of the original, focusing instead on small-squad tactics and RPG-style loot. You lead a handful of specialized squads, each with its own personalities and skill trees.
The cover system is vital here, and the absolute carnage your Blood Angels can impart means the battlefield looks like a total wreck by the end of a mission. It is a tighter, more intimate take on 40K strategy that still holds up beautifully today, especially if you buy the whole thing, with DLCs included. It will keep you busy for months on end. The game is considered to be one of the very best RTS games of all time, and very similar to Company of Heroes (it was developed by the same team), so if you enjoy that, jump right in!
6 – Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Anniversary Edition
I think that Space Marine was the first Warhammer 40K game that really got me interested in the lore of the franchise, and it’s quite possibly because, when it came out, it was the gold standard for 40K action, and I’m a sucker for third-person shooters. The Anniversary Edition brings the 2011 classic into the modern era with all the DLC and technical polish it deserves (and needed). Despite being clearly inspired by titles like Gears of War, Space Marine knows that cover isn’t an Ultramarine strong suit, so it opted to insert a “push forward” combat mechanic, where you regain health by performing executions, which perfectly captures the lore of a relentless fighting force that’s unfraid of a couple of hundred thousand Orks. It remains one of the best ways to feel the sheer weight of Power Armor and the brutality of a chainsword.
5 – Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun
I can’t give Boltgun enough praise, I really can’t. It’s one of the best shooters of the last decade (and certainly one of the highlights of the “boomer shooter” revival of the last couple of years), and one that feels like a lost artifact from the 90s, but with modern physics, incredibly tight controls, and incredible sprite work. You play as a lone Ultramarine clearing out heretics and daemons across massive, pixelated levels that seem to go on forever, which I absolutely love. The weapons feel incredibly powerful, especially the titular Boltgun, which tears enemies apart in a shower of retro gore. It is fast, loud, and pure distilled fun without any unnecessary complexity. I cannot wait for Boltgun 2, which is set to release later this year, and will add a playable Sister of Battle character!
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