Space Marine 2 is an excellent intro to Warhammer 40,000, but Darktide just got one of its best updates yet and might be even better than crushing Tyranids

GamesFPSWarhammer 40,000: DarktideSpace Marine 2 is an excellent intro to Warhammer 40,000, but Darktide just got one of its best updates yet and might be even better than crushing TyranidsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesFPSWarhammer 40,000: DarktideSpace Marine 2 is an excellent intro to Warhammer 40,000, but Darktide just got one of its best updates yet and might be even better than crushing TyranidsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Fatshark) Like a lot of people, I spent most of my September soaked in virtual Tyranid viscera and the warp-scorched ashes of the Thousand Sons inSpace Marine 2. As a Warhammer 40,000 fan, it’s been excellent to see not only the hulking Adeptus Astartes and their foes realized so faithfully with meaty and challenging combat, but also the critical and commercial success, which was far beyond what I thought was possible for a 40K game. But, while it has set a high standard for Warhammer games going forward as ourSpace Marine 2 reviewsays, some glaring issues mean it’s just not quite holding my attention in the way I hoped it would – missions are long and there aren’t many of them, enemy variety is lacking, and it all just feels far too repetitive. And that has quickly led me back to Fatshark’s far scrappier Darktide, which I think is thoroughly deserving of another look-in since it just got one of its greatest updates yet. Nobody expects the Emperor’s Inquisition (Image credit: Fatshark) Break it to make it(Image credit: Saber Interactive)Space Marine 2 directors on defying trends to find success: “Somebody was willing to take that risk instead of making another battle royale” Break it to make it (Image credit: Saber Interactive)Space Marine 2 directors on defying trends to find success: “Somebody was willing to take that risk instead of making another battle royale” (Image credit: Saber Interactive) Space Marine 2 directors on defying trends to find success: “Somebody was willing to take that risk instead of making another battle royale” For the uninitiated, Darktide is a Left 4 Dead-like horde FPS also set in the grim darkness of the 41st millennium. But instead of taking on the role of an armor-clad Space Marine, planet-hopping to carve up xenos filth and your traitorous brethren, you’re an utterly expendable asset serving the secretive Inquisition, deployed against a plague-ridden cult of Chaos worshippers. Every mission pits you against unending legions of zombie-like poxwalkers, corrupted soldiers of the Astra Militarum, and monstrous Chaos beasts hellbent on overrunning the hive city of Tertium. Facing these foes means every mission is absolute carnage in the best possible way, and that’s what has kept me and my friends coming back to Darktide over the last year. (Image credit: Fatshark) With the recent Unlocked and Loaded update, developer Fatshark has made some excellent quality-of-life improvements to the game, freeing up weapon customization and substantially cutting out the loot casino aspects that made the game feel previously quite unrewarding. New players will obviously know nothing of the pre-weapon mastery system days, but this a blessing for any returning players who tired of spending all their ordo dockets and plasteel on what were effectively weapon slot machines. Both new recruits and veteran players will have an absolute blast in the new Rolling Steel mission, which sees you battling your way along a colossal runaway train bound for friendly reinforcements. It takes just 10 minutes – a big step down from the usual 25-35-minute Darktide missions – but you’ll spend about 95% of that time fighting for your life with almost no time to catch your breath. Even if the hordes temporarily thin out, there are bombs to defuse and an overbearing timer that you’ve got to beat, turning an already tough mission into a tense race against the clock, making for one of the game’s most exciting offerings. Fully Loaded (Image credit: Fatshark) Nurgle’s reign continues(Image credit: Focus Entertainment)While everyone is busy killing Tyranids in Space Marine 2, I’m bringing the stink as Nurgle’s number one Bulwark in PVP Nurgle’s reign continues (Image credit: Focus Entertainment)While everyone is busy killing Tyranids in Space Marine 2, I’m bringing the stink as Nurgle’s number one Bulwark in PVP (Image credit: Focus Entertainment) While everyone is busy killing Tyranids in Space Marine 2, I’m bringing the stink as Nurgle’s number one Bulwark in PVP Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more It also doesn’t help thatSpace Marine 2 Operationscan be gratingly dry in a lot of places. While each environment and object is a visual treat and captures the spectacular scale of the Imperium, I can’t help but find its characters rather boring. I’ve played a lot of the Assault class, and I’m so tired of hearing Vespasius talking about how he wants to send cherubs to his brothers, or how he’d make a great chaplain because of how devoted he is. (Image credit: Fatshark) Of course, I’d be remiss to forget that getting Darktide to this high point has been a long road after a disappointing launch that no doubt quickly turned off many players. Continued support and new updates mean Darktide finally feels like it’s in a complete state, but taking almost two years to reach this point hasn’t been ideal. On the other hand, Space Marine 2, despite my gripes, is a solid foundation to work from that has done immense good for Warhammer 40K in general. At this point, it seems that fans of the grim-dark setting are almost spoiled for choice. While there’s a lot that these two horde shooters can learn from each other, they’re undoubtedly two of thebest Warhammer gamesyou can play right now, and with developers committed to improving and expanding what they offer, I can’t wait to see how these games evolve. Space Marine 2 and Darktide are both superb horde shooters but can they contend with theundisputed best zombie horde shooter Left 4 Dead 2? 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This canceled Netflix fantasy series was one of the best shows of 2024 – and deserves a second chance Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum explain why comics are still the perfect medium for superhero stories - “Visuals that will never be achieved in TV or movies can be achieved in comics” Team Asobi’s gigantic 2024 proves it’s time to free Astro Bot from PlayStation’s past Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 was the favorite shooter of the year, and it also made me fall even harder for my fiancé 17 years on, Sam Barlow reflects on Silent Hill: Origins: “To pull it out of the bag with a seven-out-of-ten game was incredibly rewarding” Here’s our Black Ops 6 multiplayer playlist to keep you and your pals connected over Christmas Spy x Family season 3: Everything we know so far One of 2024’s best anime shows subverts all expectations, but that’s its biggest strength How Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth represents the best of Final Fantasy’s past while charting a course for the future GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its 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wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”