Ben Biggs of Relic, the studio which currently holds the rights to create games with the Warhammer 40k IP, today revealed some information about the much anticipated Warhammer 40k: Space Marine.
Biggs gave an interview with NOW Gamer, in which he discussed the plot of the game and some of the gameplay features.
The game represents a strong diversion from the games Relic has been producing with the property. The games, so far, have been in the Dawn of War franchise, which is a series of real-time strategy games using the 40k IP.
Space Marine will be a First-Person Shooter (technically third-person, since it’s over-the-shoulder, but who’s counting?) set in the same universe.
Imperial Marines, of which the protagonist is one, have been sent to a Titan manufacturing facility to stop a band of Orks who are attempting to steal one of the super weapons.
Soon after the mass slaying of Orks begins, the marines discover that Chaos forces are behind the plot, and have to fight their way up the chain of command.
The enemies in the game will also use a variety of AI and tactical styles. While Orks will respond slowly, and are more likely to attack with swarming Brute-force, Chaos warriors will be more likely to think before they act, trying to sneak behind the player, and attacking at range when possible.
Gamers are eagerly awaiting this title, and its fresh look at the Warhammer 40k universe. Many fans who enjoy the 40k property come from the table-top tactics game, which is a lot of fun, but also has a high cost barrier. The Dawn of War games are neat, but they aren’t really a conversion of the table-top game, since they are not turn-based.
Space Marine may be even further from the table-top tactics game, but at least it will give gamers who aren’t into the Real-Time Strategy (RTS) genre a chance to explore some of the 40k mythology and get a real story out of the franchise, something that the table-top game can’t deliver.
