Warhammer 40k video games are one of the easiest ways into the hobby, because you don’t need to paint a single miniature or read a rulebook to start. The catch is that there are dozens of them, and they vary wildly in genre and quality. The good news: a handful of recent releases are genuinely beginner-friendly, and each one doubles as a window into the setting’s lore.
Why video games are a good first step
40k isn’t just one thing. It’s a tabletop wargame, a novel line, an animation studio, and a video game franchise, and you can get into any of them without touching the others. That’s worth knowing up front, because the sheer size of the setting scares people off before they’ve even started.
Games do a lot of the heavy lifting for you. They show you the armour, the factions, and the tone while you’re busy shooting things, so the lore lands without feeling like homework. If you already play games, this is the shortest route in.
The best starting points
Space Marine 2 is the obvious pick, and that’s not a knock on it. It’s a third-person shooter with chunky melee combat, you play an Ultramarine named Titus, and you don’t need to have played the 2011 original to follow the story. It’s simple, it’s satisfying, and it drops you right into one of the setting’s big ongoing wars.
Rogue Trader is the other strong choice, and some fans argue it’s the better introduction. It’s a turn-based CRPG from Owlcat where you command a Rogue Trader dynasty, a rare breed of Imperial explorer with the freedom to deal with aliens and make decisions that shape whole regions of space. That freedom means you meet far more of the setting than a Space Marine campaign ever shows you.
Boltgun is the wildcard. It’s a fast retro-style shooter in the vein of classic Doom, and it’s a great pick if you want something short and loud rather than a 40-hour commitment.
- Space Marine 2: third-person shooter, easy to pick up, strong co-op and multiplayer modes.
- Rogue Trader: turn-based CRPG, broadest look at 40k factions and politics.
- Boltgun: retro first-person shooter, quick and arcadey.
- None of these require prior 40k knowledge, which is the whole point.
What each game teaches you about the lore
Space Marine 2 covers the Space Marines, the Imperium’s superhuman soldiers, and the Tyranids, a ravenous alien swarm. It’s a narrow slice, but a deep one, and it’s the faction most people picture when they hear Warhammer 40k.
Rogue Trader spreads wider. You’ll run into servitors, xenos traders, Imperial bureaucracy, and the conspiracies that keep a noble dynasty running. If you want to understand why the Imperium is the way it is, this is the game that explains it.
Where to go after your first game
Once you’ve finished one, the rest of the franchise opens up. There’s a long history of strategy games, including the Dawn of War series, and a steady stream of new releases across shooters, tactics, and RPGs.
The honest caveat: 40k games have a mixed record. For every good one there are several forgettable ones, so it’s worth checking reviews before buying anything outside the well-known picks. The three above are the safest bets for a newcomer.
Key facts
- Space Marine 2 is a third-person shooter released in September 2024 by Saber Interactive.
- Rogue Trader is a turn-based CRPG by Owlcat Games, often recommended as the best lore introduction.
- Boltgun is a retro-style first-person shooter inspired by classic 90s shooters.
- You don’t need any prior Warhammer 40k knowledge to start any of these three games.
- 40k games span many genres, but quality varies, so reviews are worth checking.
FAQ
Do I need to play the first Space Marine before Space Marine 2?
No. Space Marine 2 tells its own story and explains what you need to know, so you can jump straight in.
What’s the best Warhammer 40k game for someone who likes RPGs?
Rogue Trader. It’s a turn-based CRPG with a lot of dialogue, choice, and worldbuilding, and it gives you the widest view of the setting.
Are Warhammer 40k video games canon to the lore?
They’re set within the 40k universe and generally treat its events as real, but they’re their own stories rather than required reading for the tabletop game.