Warhammer 40,000 has become ubiquitous, but its PC game adaptations often fail to capture the setting's original satirical spirit, according to PC Gamer staff. While the franchise is now a mainstream entertainment pillar, some believe its video game translations lean too heavily into a serious tone, overlooking its inherently silly and absurd roots. "It is incredibly, wonderfully dumb," one writer asserts, lamenting that adaptations frequently present the lore with a straight face, rather than embracing its satirical origins.
The Space Marine Quandary
The Space Marine video games, particularly Space Marine 2, have drawn criticism for their repetitive gameplay loops, despite their visual fidelity and accurate representation of the Space Marines' weighty feel. "It turns out there is a limit to how many times you can execute a tyranid or an ork before it becomes rote," one opinion states, arguing that the campaigns offer little beyond a brief diversion. These titles are described as "dreary, po-faced games" that, at best, offer a "briefly fun diversion that never actually go anywhere."
A Plea for More RPGs, Fewer Strategy Titles
While strategy games like Dawn of War and Mechanicus are lauded, and the upcoming Total War: Warhammer 40,000 is anticipated, there's a growing sentiment for more role-playing game adaptations. The Black Library's narrative output, often focusing on individual characters and their stories, suggests significant potential for RPG experiences. "Damn, this would be a cool RPG," is a frequent reaction to reading the novels, contrasting with the more common strategy game adaptations. Games like Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, despite a rough launch, are cited as examples of successful RPG implementations, with anticipation building for Dark Heresy.
The Horus Heresy and Narrative Potential
The Horus Heresy, the foundational event of Warhammer 40,000's grimdark future, is seen as a rich source for adaptations. However, the sheer volume of its novel series is considered by some to be a barrier, with a significant portion deemed "missable" or even "bad." While key events can be summarized, the series' bloated nature means a full read-through is not essential for understanding the broader 40k universe. The Great Crusade period preceding the heresy, with its encounters with various alien species, is also highlighted as a compelling narrative space ripe for exploration in video games.
Television Adaptations: Gaunt's Ghosts Over Eisenhorn?
Amidst the anticipation for Henry Cavill's Warhammer 40,000 television series, there's a debate about which book series would translate best to the screen. While Eisenhorn is a popular choice for its sci-fi noir elements, Gaunt's Ghosts is argued to be a better fit for television. Its focus on relatable, human characters and a "death march" structure, akin to the successful Sharpe series, offers a more accessible narrative with greater action and intimate character moments, making it ideal for a broader audience.
Tabletop Disagreements and Faction Critiques
Disagreements extend to the tabletop as well, with a notable frustration expressed over Games Workshop's decision to remove thunder hammers from Wolf Guard Terminators, a change perceived as unnecessary and detrimental to beloved unit compositions. The Tau faction is also critiqued as being relatively uninteresting compared to other, more baroque and bizarre factions within the Warhammer 40,000 universe. While attempts have been made to give them depth, their aesthetic and lore are seen as a less cohesive fit for the setting's established tone, often feeling like an attempt to capitalize on mecha anime popularity rather than a natural evolution of the grimdark universe.
Specific Game Critiques
Owlcat's Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader receives particular criticism for its "unforgivably awful" implementation of game systems. Despite strong storytelling and characters, the combat and leveling systems are described as a "chore" to engage with. This raises concerns about the potential quality of future Owlcat titles, such as Dark Heresy, with doubts expressed about the developer's ability to translate tabletop rules into enjoyable gameplay mechanics.
Despite these criticisms, the original Space Marine game is defended for its impactful introduction, evocative world-building, and fun, execution-focused combat that influenced later titles like Doom. However, its sequel, Space Marine 2, is viewed as prioritizing co-op at the expense of single-player enjoyment, though it is still considered a "fun romp."