The 12 Best 'Warhammer 40K' Games, Ranked

Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef embraces the zany antics of the "Orks" in this frantic side-scrolling shooter that evokes classics like Metal Slug and Contra. As a green-skinned "Ork Boy" armed to the teeth, you'll blast through waves of "Imperial" forces and rival clans with an assortment of crude "Sluggas", "Choppas," and other havoc-wreaking weapons. The nonstop run-and-gun gameplay perfectly captures the anarchic spirit of the Orks, while goofy jokes and self-referential humor poke fun at the grimdark Warhammer 40K universe to great effect. Though not very complex, the simple, addictive shooting and melee action provide plenty of mindless enjoyment. If you're looking to step into the boisterous boots of an Ork Boy for some rowdy 2D action, Shootas, Blood & Teef delivers a lot of chaotic "Dakka."

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun brings fast-paced first-person shooting action to the Warhammer 40K universe with its gory chaos. Step into the heavy boots of a "Space Marine" unleashing destruction on the Emperor's foes with an arsenal of faithfully designed weapons like the titular Space Marine classic the "Boltgun" and the "Chainsword." The run-and-gun gameplay channels the relentless speed and action of old-school classics like Doom and Quake, though without the intricate level design.

Gore flies as you obliterate heretics and xenos with savage "Bolter" fire and melee finishers. Offering only the most basic multiplayer options, Boltgun is designed for solo slaughter, which can grow repetitive despite the grimdark atmosphere. Still, those eager to paint more battlefields red with heretic blood will find plenty to enjoy in this grim homage to retro FPS chaos. Just don't expect it to convert skeptics beyond the Emperor's faithful.

Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr puts players in the boots of the grim "Inquisition," ruthlessly investigating "Chaos" taint throughout the galaxy. Choose from several classes while unleashing the Emperor’s fury through brutal melee combat and potent psychic or tech abilities upon hordes of vile enemies. This ambitious action RPG nails the dark, violent tone of the 40k universe, with massive boss fights and randomly generated maps to conquer in your crusade.

Approachable once you adjust to the complex systems, Inquisitor – Martyr provides plenty for the faithful with seasonal events and challenges. However, clunky combat and repetitive missions may test the faith of all but the most zealous followers of the Emperor. But if you crave merciless Warhammer 40K brutality as one of the Inquisition’s unstoppable agents, then Inquisitor – Martyr delivers that satisfactorily.

Team up as "Inquisitorial" agents against the forces of Chaos in Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, the co-op shooter from Vermintide developer Fatshark. Pick from four classes such as the "Ogryn" and "Zealous Priest" and employ teamwork against hordes of enemies across randomized maps. Darktide provides addictive co-op gameplay like Left 4 Dead but with a deeper progression and character growth. However, it faced issues at launch like performance and lack of character diversification. To address this, Fatshark plans major updates, including revamping the skill tree for more customization and rewards. Whether that paves the way for a true turnaround is uncertain. But with visceral combat and a faithful Warhammer 40K atmosphere, Darktide is a must-play for fans of merciless co-op action.

Blast your way through the gritty underworld of Warhammer 40K with Necromunda: Hired Gun. This fast-paced FPS/looter shooter casts you as a cybernetic bounty hunter taking contracts and clearing out gangs in the industrial "Hives of Necromunda." Armed with pistols, shotguns, and plenty of enhancements like wall-running and a grappling hook, you'll traverse levels hunting down targets for credits. The kinetic movement and gunplay deliver satisfying action, while the dingy setting captures the dark corners of the 41st millennium. Though weak on story and not the most enjoyable to play after a time, Necromunda: Hired Gun provides a grimy 40k experience for those who want breakneck speed and violence without any moral quandaries slowing them down.

Warhammer 40K fans craving strategic deck-building action need look no further than Horus Heresy: Legions. Drawing from the iconic "Horus Heresy" era of Warhammer 40K lore, Legions lets you assemble powerful decks based around the Space Marines, "Chaos Space Marines," and other factions like the Imperial Guard. Cards representing heroic "Primarchs" like Roboute Guilliman and traitor leaders like Abaddon the Despoiler can be played for devastating effect and the game's smooth Commander-style gameplay is clearly inspired by Magic: The Gathering.

Combined with gorgeous art and robust voice acting, this card game brings the iconic Horus Heresy to life. Even better, Legions continually expands through new expansions and events. Despite some balance issues, Legions offers one of the best digital card game experiences for Warhammer 40K devotees wishing to command the armies of the iconic civil war among the stars.

2003's Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior was the first FPS to bring the dark Warhammer 40K universe to mainstream attention. Stepping into the armor of a "Tau Fire Warrior," players battled through war-torn environments against the mighty "Imperium of Man." While the dated combat doesn't hold up as well today, Fire Warrior deserves credit for ambitiously introducing fans to the then-new Tau race through immersive atmosphere and sound design. Despite flawed gameplay, Fire Warrior offered many 40k fans their exciting first taste of being a soldier on the and still stands as a memorable milestone that thrust 40K's chaotic sci-fi spectacle into a thrilling first-person perspective.

Chaos Gate: Daemonhunters brings tense, tactical turn-based combat to the Warhammer 40K universe as you lead your squad of elite "Grey Knights" against the plague-ridden forces of "Nurgle." Carefully position your righteous warriors and make judicious use of their special abilities to overcome seemingly impossible odds. With deep customization and brutally challenging encounters, Daemonhunters admirably adapts the dense tabletop experience into an engaging turn-based tactical RPG packed with Warhammer 40K lore.

Though some repetitive missions dull the pacing, the overall journey remains riveting thanks to gorgeous cinematics and excellent voice acting. Providing a thorough test of your tactical skills against the foul Chaos hordes, Daemonhunters is a rewarding RPG for 40K fans with the patience and wit to carry the day against daemonic invasions. It's well worth acknowledging it as another one of the best Warhammer 40K games.

Step into the robes of the Adeptus Mechanicus to battle the ancient skeletal "Necrons" in the excellent Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus. This turn-based tactics title truly captures the eerie machine-worshipping nature of the "Adeptus Mechanicus" faction through ominously chanting "Tech-Priests" and stylish cybernetic upgrades that can be deeply customized through impactful skill trees and augments.

Combat proves compelling as well, demanding careful positioning and ability usage to overcome the mournful legions of Necron warriors and terrifying "C'tan," though some power creep can trivialize the challenge. While light on story, procedurally generated maps as well as multiple difficulties grant longevity and demand you complete multiple runs. As such, Mechanicus smartly translates the rich lore and atmosphere of the Adeptus Mechanicus into an engaging, tactical experience that is more than worthwhile for fans of 40K and tactical turn-based combat alike. 

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II shifts the focus from the first Dawn of War to intimate squad-based combat as you lead your Space Marines against the enemies of the Imperium. Carefully position your battle brothers while managing abilities and resources in brutal, small-scale skirmishes across wilderness and urban environments. An engaging campaign centered on characters like Blood Angels Chapter Master Gabriel Angelos adds narrative weight.

Streamlined base-building keeps the emphasis on commanding a few detailed units rather than vast armies while the game's expansive lore and visuals vividly bring the 40K universe to life. While divisive among some fans, Dawn of War II provides some of the most intense and focused warfare in the grimdark galaxy through its emphasis on squad tactics and skillful positioning. Devotees of real-time strategy and 40K alike will find plenty to enjoy here.

Become an unstoppable instrument of the Emperor's justice in the acclaimed Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine. This 2011 third-person shooter/melee combat hybrid lets you step into the massive armor of Ultramarine Captain Titus, voiced by Mark Strong, as you unleash devastating vengeance against invading Ork and Chaos forces. Chainsword executions, mighty leaping slams, and other over-the-top abilities capture the empowering fantasy of being an Adeptus Astartes, with gameplay inspired by Gears of War.

Satisfying gunplay provides plenty of bolter action between bloody melee rampages while the game's exceptional audio and visuals immerse you in the war-torn 41st millennium. Despite a thin story, the visceral combat makes Space Marine one of the definitive Warhammer 40K games, with a highly anticipated sequel, Space Marine 2, slated for release later next year (2024).

Charge onto the battlefields of Tartarus in the acclaimed 2004 real-time strategy title Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War. Featuring a sizable roster of iconic factions, including Space Marines, Chaos Space Marines, Orks, and Eldar, Dawn of War delivers sprawling sci-fi warfare with large-scale, strategic base building and fast-paced skirmishes. Cleverly utilize cover and special faction abilities to overcome your foes in both epic single-player missions that introduce the "Blood Angels Space Marine Chapter" and massive multiplayer battles at a massive scale.

While showing its age, Dawn of War still impresses with the scale and intensity of its conflicts, bringing the tabletop experience to vivid life through strong art direction and relentless action. Expanding on the base game, three excellent follow-up expansions added new campaigns and factions, including the Sisters of Battle, Imperial Guard, and Necrons, cementing Dawn of War as one of the classic RTS experiences. While the sequel, Dawn of War II, scaled down the scope to be more tactical, the more divisive Dawn of War III tried to blend the approaches of the first two games with mixed results.