Dark Secrets in the Warp

Hello Sports Fans,

I just finished celebrating Thanksgiving. Got a nice four day weekend out of it, so right there, it was a win. That being said, it did help to remind me how much better I have it this year than last year. Last year, I was unemployed and not feeling very good about myself. Now I have a decent job, learning stuff, and taking care of my family. So much to be thankful for. I kind of wish we celebrated it more than once a year just to help remind me.

So what's up with the title? Well, it was inspired by Space Hulk Deathwing. A buddy of mine saw that he had an Enhanced Edition in his steam library and wanted to check it out. Apparently back in May, the company that made the game released an updated version of it, and gave it for free to everyone who bought the original. Sweet!

As I had, I had the new game too. So we gave it a spin. Space Hulk has always been one of my favorite PC games ever since the original way back in the Stone Age. Back when GW computer games could be counted on one hand. This current version is pretty spectacular. The level designs and attention to detail are just amazing. The new version has also optimized a lot of the code and made it run much smoother. Not only that, but they also added in new replayability content and have kept adding new things. Right there it makes me glad I bought the game and supported the company. Hopefully they are working on a bigger expansion that I can pay for. I like supporting companies that do good things for the players.

For those that don't know Space Hulk, it started off as a board game by Games Workshop. It was interesting because it could be played solo. You were in charge of a squad of terminator space marines and needed to achieve objectives within a giant space hulk (a conglomeration of space ships and other debris mushed together, floating through space). These hulks could contain valuable items or secrets from ages past, but they also held dangers, and specifically, the threat of genestealers. Genestealers are part of an alien hivemind race called the Tyranids. They infest these hulks and use them to spread themselves across the galaxy.

GW has greatly expanded the tyranid race, and specifically the genestealer side of them. They have a whole army called the Genestealer Cult for 40K (which I own). Its full of different units now instead of just genestealers. Focus Interactive (the company that makes the video game) have added these into the game and even expanded things a little beyond that. Not only are you fighting genestealers and hybrids, you are facing aberants, warriors, and broodlords.

Deathwing refers to the First Company of the Dark Angel space marine chapter. Dark Angels normally where very dark green (nearly black) armor. They are one of the original founder chapters of the space marines. The Deathwing are all terminators, and their armor is bone white. The Dark Angels have a secret that they keep from all others, and are driven by it. The game has a fantastic campaign and storyline that fits right in with this chapter and their heritage. I enjoy the briefings for each mission and the various plots that are introduced within the missions. It is all very well done. If you are a fan of the 40K lore, this game does it justice.

I've played a little bit of the campaign. It is very challenging. But the best part so far is the co-op multiplayer mode. Up to four players can join together to face the swarms of genestealers and complete the missions. The game gives you a nice choice of terminators to choose from, with lots of options to customize their weapons and traits, as well as even visual skins. My friends and I have been playing this past week and it is a lot of fun. We die about a third of the time, and are only playing on normal difficulty. All in all, we are really enjoying this updated version.

If you like 40K and enjoy challenging shooters, you need to check this one out. Normal price is only $20 on steam (you can also get it for PS4) and is frequently on sale. Great value for your money (in my opinion).

That's enough for now. I'll get back to miniature games next time. Hmmmm might have to bust out some genestealer cult models for painting....

Till next time.