First screenshots of Space Hulk show space marines and tactics

Screenshots of Warhammer 40k's next game, Space Hulk, have popped up. This is the first look we’ve had of the game, which is based on the board game of the same name, since it was announced back in December 2012. While the first screenshot doesn’t show us much in the way of gameplay, the second one looks like the game will retain much of the original board game flavour. It looks a lot like Firaxis’ stellar XCOM: Enemy Unknown with its turn-based gameplay.

Space Hulk is set in the isolated corridors and tomb-like chambers of an ancient vessel lost in the graveyard of space. Players lead a small army of Space Marine Terminators in a fight for survival against hordes of predatory alien Genestealers.

Space Marines...

Based on the "Sin of Damnation" campaign from the 3rd-edition of the board game, Space Hulk includes a 12-mission single-player and co-operative campaign. Multiplayer mode will allow players to go head-to-head as the Space Marines and the Genestealers in a fight for domination.

The game will have a cross-platform multiplayer mode that will allow players to compete against friends whether they play on PC, Mac or mobile. The Space Hulk level editor will enable players to design their own levels, share them and explore other players' creations in a central hub.

...and tactics

While Space Hulk is set in Warhammer 40,000's sci-fi universe, games that explore the fantasy world of Warhammer will also be coming out. RTS developer Creative Assembly has acquired the rights to make games in the Warhammer universe, one of which would be the first Warhammer game based in the fantasy universe that's not an MMORPG. Creative Assembly now has five projects in the works, including its upcoming Total War: Rome 2 and Aliens.

"With this year being our 25th anniversary it seems fitting for us to embark on such a dream project with such a well-established partner," Tim Heaton, Studio Director at Creative Assembly, said of the deal. "The incredibly rich and detailed Warhammer world is something we grew up with, and has left an indelible imprint on us as both designers and gamers.

"We'll be doing the Warhammer universe justice in a way that has never been attempted before. We're bringing those 25 years of experience and expertise in extremely high-scoring games to bear, delivering a Warhammer experience that videogamers will absolutely love."