Total War: Warhammer 40,000 looks set to be a strong fit for dedicated fans and a welcoming starting point for newcomers. After roughly an hour with the Gamescom 2026 demo, its combination of battlefield control, customisation and familiar factions made a powerful first impression.
Set in the Armageddon sector, a major location in the current Warhammer 40,000 setting, the game uses a new cast rather than relying on established characters. Players can create their own Space Marine chapter, including its name and visual identity, which gives the campaign a more personal connection to the wider universe.
The playable factions shown so far are also widely recognised, with their battlefield roles broadly reflecting their tabletop counterparts. The demo allowed direct play as the Space Marines, while the Astra Militarum and Orks were demonstrated in combat. The Aeldari were the only announced faction not represented in this build.
A clear introduction to the 41st Millennium
The opening Space Marine mission established its premise quickly: recover classified information before the Orks reach it. A short introductory sequence explained the Orks’ threat and why the Emperor’s Finest had been chosen for the operation. In only a few minutes, it provided useful context about the factions without assuming extensive knowledge of the setting.
Before the fighting began, a strategic view of the planet showed how squads moved between regions. The local map initially felt enormous, although zooming further out revealed the surrounding galaxy and nearby planets in the sector.
The squad-management screen appeared busy at first, but its information became easier to read with use. It displayed each Space Marine’s equipment, preferred combat approach and health. The mission gave me approximately five squads, a modest force considering the Orks appeared to outnumber the Marines by about five to one. In keeping with the fiction, however, even a small Space Marine force could inflict serious damage on the advancing Green Tide.
Small squads, overwhelming odds
I soon underestimated the Orks. A concentrated wall of fire pinned my units down and forced them into cover among nearby wreckage. Reinforcements arrived at the crucial moment, crash-landing in front of a large Ork group and eliminating enough enemies to create an opening. The remaining Marines then advanced and secured the intelligence.
The following mission introduced the army customisation options. Shoulder-pad colours and the chapter’s name could be changed, allowing players to create a force with its own identity rather than simply fielding an anonymous group of Marines.
The next objective was to help the Astra Militarum recapture a station from the Orks. I initially left the Imperial Guard to face the enemy alone, with predictable results. Their tanks reduced the Ork numbers before the green tide redirected its attention towards the Marines. Watching the Astra Militarum charge into an increasingly desperate battle captured the faction’s familiar determination, and the close-up camera made the violence impossible to miss.
When the Orks closed in, the Space Marines’ support abilities became essential. Airstrikes and temporary buffs broke up the attack, sending large numbers of Orks into the air. Once the engagement became a close-range fight, melee specialists moved forward while ranged units continued firing from behind them. That combination turned another difficult encounter into a Space Marine victory.
When the Green Tide arrives
The final demo mission began during the later stages of a huge battle, with the Marine position already under severe pressure. The force included tanks and other vehicles, but the Orks brought Stompas, smaller armoured units and jetpack-equipped troops capable of crossing the battlefield quickly.
Hundreds of Orks pushed towards what appeared to be around 50 Space Marine squads. The attack arrived from multiple directions before there was time to establish a proper counteroffensive, costing several Marines and making the interface feel overwhelming again.
Recovering the situation required a more deliberate response. The tanks concentrated on the Orks’ heavy vehicles while ground units divided between melee combat and ranged fire. That plan began to work until the jetpack Orks reached the rear line and destroyed troops providing supporting fire.
Two resources ultimately changed the battle: more orbital support and a reserve force waiting to deploy. Fresh Space Marines arrived at the critical moment, buying the tanks enough time to destroy the biggest threats. With the heavy units removed, the ground troops could close the distance and finish the remaining Orks.
A promising entry point for new players
After an hour, Total War: Warhammer 40,000 seemed more approachable than its dense systems first suggested. The game shares some of the complexity of the tabletop experience, but the missions gradually teach players how to manage squads, combine unit roles and use battlefield abilities.
For established fans, the appeal lies in seeing recognisable factions and familiar military ideas translated into a large-scale strategy game. For newcomers, the opening missions provide enough explanation to introduce the setting without burying them in its enormous lore.
The game has no release date yet. It is planned for PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. Fans interested in bringing strategy and classic game-room design together can explore RETROCADE’s arcade news, browse the wider range of arcade machines, or use the arcade machine buying guide when planning a home setup. A custom project can also begin with DIY arcade kits.
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