Games Workshop, Complex Games, and Frontier Foundry have released Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters, a tactical, turn-based RPG for PC set in the iconic and violent science fiction universe. Players will take control of the Grey Knights, an exceptionally skilled chapter of the Space Marines, as they attempt to put an end to a galaxy-wide plague called the Bloom.
40K: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters' publisher, Frontier Foundry, is best known for developing space exploration simulator Elite: Dangerous, but has become heavily involved with the Warhammer license, being set to develop a Warhammer: Age of Sigmar RTS. Frontier Foundry's partnership with Games Workshop, proprietor of the Warhammer IP, has now resulted in this collaboration with Complex Games, an independent studio that has provided support on a variety of projects for two decades. Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters is a reboot of the original Warhammer 40K: Chaos Gate strategy game from 1998.
In command of the Grey Knights, players wage war against the Bloom on multiple levels. The macro conflict gives players command of the Baleful Edict, a strike cruiser that will transport the Grey Knights to the next battle against the plague created by Chaos God Nurgle. The individual skirmishes of Warhammer 40K: Chaos Gate - Dameonhunter's tactical chaos gives players control of a Space Marine strike force in turn-based, isometric combat. The game's RPG elements come in the form of progression for individual Space Marines, as well as upgrades to the Baleful Edict itself.
Grand Master Vardan Kai, who is overseeing the fight against the Bloom, is portrayed by Andy Serkis, famous for his role as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings and, most recently, for playing Alfred in The Batman. Serkis is joined by Robyn Addison, who has done voice work for Final Fantasy XIV and Dragon Age: Inquisition, and is bringing life to Daemonhunters' Inquisitor Kartha Vakir. Surrounding Daemonhunters' brutal and fast-paced tactical RPG gameplay is a story written by Aaron Dembski-Bowden, veteran writer of Warhammer 40K material.
Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters will likely entice those already interested in 40K, and in particular the Grey Knights, but the progression systems and tactical combat could appeal to the more broad audience of strategy game players. The standard edition price point of $44.99 is enticing, but the decision to gate a playable character, Castellan Garran Crowe, behind the more expensive ($54.99) Castellan Champion Edition may be off-putting to some. Regardless, the Warhammer 40,000 universe continues to expand, with Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters as the latest addition to the franchise's long line of tactics games.
Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters is available on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.