The standard edition of the third-person shooter Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, developed by Saber Interactive and published by Focus Entertainment, will be released on September 9th. The Gold Edition will grant players four days of early access, starting from September 5, 2024.
Adapted from the renowned tabletop wargame Warhammer 40,000, Space Marine 2 faithfully recreates famous factions and characters from the classic plastic miniatures, such as the Space Marines and Tyranids. Its intense, bloody, and high-speed gameplay, combined with adrenaline-pumping, fast-paced, and spectacular visuals, has earned the game exceptional praise.
Many who have played the game may start to wonder: what exactly is Warhammer 40K? Where does this vast, epic story originate?
Let's get to know Warhammer 40,000, the plastic miniatures from the UK!
Warhammer 40,000, often shortened to Warhammer 40K, is a miniature wargame produced by the British company Games Workshop. Based on the Warhammer universe, they have developed a wide variety of miniature models and tabletop games. Beyond the realm of models and tabletop wargaming, there are also novels, video games, tabletop role-playing games, and more adapted from the Warhammer 40,000 universe. A television series in collaboration with Amazon is also currently in production.
The core gameplay of Warhammer revolves around four key activities: "Collect," "Build," "Paint," and "Play." Unlike in the Space Marine 2 video game where the player takes on the role of a single Space Marine, in the tabletop wargame, players act as commanders of entire armies. You can freely collect miniatures to build your own unique army. After assembling and painting your miniatures, you can lead them into battle against other players.
It's so much fun that fans often find themselves thinking, "I want to paint even more miniatures!" They collect more units to expand their armies. Whether it's gaming, building, painting, or collecting, each aspect holds an irreplaceable charm. This is the main reason why Warhammer has thrived for over thirty years and remains as popular as ever.
There Is Only War: The Birth of Warhammer 40,000
In 1987, Games Workshop published the first edition of Warhammer 40,000. From its initial release, it came complete with lore, art, miniatures, and game rules. With over thirty years of history, many of the settings established back then form the foundation of modern Warhammer 40K. The "Space Marines," the transhuman figures who defend the Imperium of Man from the brink of extinction in Warhammer 40,000, were born. Upon their debut, they became the symbol of Warhammer, a classic icon in the hearts of many, and a perennial fan favorite.
"In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war..."
This single sentence encapsulates the entire image of Warhammer 40,000, conveying a story tone that is brutal, dark, and desperate. The world of Warhammer 40,000 is built upon a unique aesthetic formed by its art, miniatures, and lore.
Set in the 41st millennium of human history, the stage is the galaxy-spanning Imperium of Man. Humanity once had a glorious past, but now faces the threat of annihilation. To survive and defend themselves, humans must fight against endless xenos hordes and the armies of Chaos in a war of ever-increasing scale.
Warhammer 40,000 is not just a simple science fiction work; it also incorporates fantasy elements, adding supernatural settings like Chaos, daemons, and psychic powers akin to superpowers. This unique universe, with its terrifying yet wildly imaginative concepts, has captured the hearts of countless enthusiasts.
Players can recreate epic battles from this vast world with miniature models and experience an immersive journey through the world depicted in stories and artwork. You can freely play as various factions: become a "Space Marine," a transhuman supersoldier defending the Imperium of Man; join the Chaos Gods who seek to corrupt humanity; or command bizarre and distinctive alien races like the Orks, Tyranids, or Necrons.
What Are Warhammer's Plastic Miniatures Like?
Excitedly open any box of Warhammer plastic miniatures, and you'll find an astonishing frame of model parts, known as a sprue. The undulating and tightly packed components might seem familiar to anyone who has assembled Gundam or other Japanese plastic models, yet they exude a completely different atmosphere.
Just by observing the parts themselves, your eyes will be drawn to the intricate details. Assembling a Warhammer miniature is a continuous series of pleasant surprises. Parts come together in unexpected ways, giving you a sense of the world's most advanced miniature technology. You'll wonder how Games Workshop managed to break down these three-dimensional models into parts and be amazed by the final assembled product.
Painting is Also a Major Appeal of Warhammer 40,000!
For those who have never ventured into the world of painting, the Warhammer painting process is the perfect experience for beginners. The "CITADEL COLOUR" range of paints launched by Games Workshop features water-based acrylics that can be thinned with just water. The products are odorless, with excellent coverage and flow, making them incredibly user-friendly and convenient.
Anytime you have your model, a brush, paints, and a cup of water ready, you can start painting immediately! You can easily paint at home, in a dorm, or even outdoors. For those struggling with color choices, "CITADEL COLOUR" offers different types of paints for various purposes, including the high-coverage BASE paints, the shadow-defining SHADE paints that smooth out brushstrokes, and the LAYER paints perfect for highlighting or creating gradient effects.
You don't have to worry about color schemes when painting Warhammer miniatures. With the free "CITADEL COLOUR" app, you can instantly find painting guides for any Warhammer model. By following the steps, you can achieve a satisfying result and truly feel the charm of painting. Once you're hooked, you'll be eager to paint your next model. The official "Warhammer" YouTube channels offer a variety of painting tutorials for different models, and numerous other channels also produce Warhammer painting guides. You'll never run out of painting references!
Newcomers to painting can also opt for the convenient and beginner-friendly Paint Sets. These include models, a selection of paints, and a brush, allowing you to experience the joy of painting right away.
Want to Play a Game of Warhammer?
For those who have never tried it, tabletop wargames often carry the stereotype of being "too difficult" or having a "high barrier to entry." However, anyone who actually experiences a game of Warhammer immediately feels its charm and is eager to play another round!
A game of Warhammer recreates epic battles on the tabletop using three-dimensional miniatures. Unlike common board games, moving your pieces in Warhammer requires a "measuring tape"! You measure the actual distance on the tabletop, just like moving on a real battlefield. If you want to shoot at an enemy, their miniature must be within your weapon's range, creating a very realistic feel. As for determining success, that's left to the roll of the dice, which is why many Warhammer fans have a devout faith in the Dice Gods.
The "too difficult" stereotype stems from the sheer richness of the Warhammer game. In Warhammer 40,000, there are currently over 20 factions to choose from, and each faction has more than 20 different units available. Every game, with different unit selections or against different factions, offers a unique and unrepeatable experience and charm.
But newcomers need not fear! There are now Introductory Sets and Starter Sets designed for teaching and new player experiences. These include miniatures, a rulebook, and gaming tools, making it easy for beginners to learn the basic game system and practice how to play, quickly mastering the fundamental flow of the game. As you play more, you'll find yourself getting better and developing a deeper connection with your models, sparking a desire to experience larger-scale battles, expand your army, and get your models painted and onto the battlefield as soon as possible.
If you've already decided which army faction you want to join, you can directly choose that faction's Combat Patrol box. Each box contains a complete army, ready to be deployed for fast and exciting games against others.
A warm welcome to all players who wish to join the world of Warhammer! Whether you simply want to "Collect" an army, "Build" or "Paint" miniatures, engage in epic wargaming "Play," or do it all, Warhammer has something for you. And finally, never forget...
"In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war..."