This Absolute Classic Is The Best Place To Start If You Want To Get Into Warhammer 40K Games

The sheer overwhelming amount of content in the Warhammer 40K franchise is easily one of its greatest strengths, but it can also be very intimidating for new fans. Given the number of spin-offs, sequels, and games that require prior knowledge of the franchise to be fully understood, it’s no wonder some fans struggle to get into the series at first.

From strategy games that encompass the total war aspect of 40K to more narrative-driven or fun-filled co-op games, the longstanding popularity of 40K means there are plenty of options to choose from depending on your specific tastes. Even with the numerous options available, one entry stands out, offering a great introduction and satisfying gameplay in a single remastered bundle.

2011’s Space Marine Is The Best Warhammer 40K Video Game Starter Experience

A Great Intro That Leads To Even Better Heights

Out of all the games in the series, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine is one of the simplest starting points for understanding the series, particularly for a few notable factions and its setting, while still offering a more than enjoyable standalone experience. Being the predecessor to the explosively popular Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2, the original Space Marine lets you experience the world of 40K from the boots on the ground perspective of an Ultramarine legion of Space Marines.

Despite the more restrictive perspective of a single Astartes in an expansive galaxy-wide world, Warhammer 40K: Space Marine introduces several core factions and aspects of the series that help to understand the greater universe at large. On top of the unique narrative and satisfying hack-and-slashing shooter experience, the original 40K: Space Marine is the perfect jumping-off point into more fantastic gameplay experiences, whether it’s the acclaimed sequel Space Marine 2 or unique strategy games like Battlefleet Gothic: Armada.

There Are Several Other Runners-Up, Too

The Warhammer 40K World Is Filled With Beginner-Friendly Entries

Suppose the gritty 40K: Space Marine or its recent HD remake with the Master Crafted Edition aren’t appealing to you. In that case, several other games in the series provide excellent starting points for their immersive gameplay potential. For satisfying shooter gameplay without as much story-related baggage, the recent Warhammer 40K: Boltgun is a classic DOOM-like that fulfills the power fantasy aspect of the series, or try out Darktide to explore the more human-like factions of the series in the style of a co-op horde shooter.

Of course, first and third-person shooters can only encompass so much of the expansive Warhammer 40K world, with games like Dawn of War being undeniable classics that introduce you to a plethora of iconic factions from the series. To make Dawn of War an even better option, the classic strategy game is getting a remastered Definitive Edition on August 14, making the 2004 game even more accessible as another excellent starting point, alongside Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine.