Games Workshop's tabletop battle game Space Hulk has enjoyed a proud connection with video games. The first interactive adaptations arrived soon after the launch of the boardgame in 1989, with home computers like the Commodore Amiga getting an excellent real-time tactical action title courtesy of Electronic Arts in 1993. EA would later publish a 3D sequel on the PlayStation, 3DO, PC and Sega Saturn which would retain the real-time gameplay, but it would be another 17 years before anyone else would try and bring this amazing world to life again.
That "someone" is Danish studio Full Control. Unlike the EA efforts of the '90s, the new version of Space Hulk returns to the turn-based mechanics of the original board game. Full Control has now confirmed that the game --- which launched last year on PC — will be coming to consoles in 2015, and that includes the Wii U.
As any fan will tell you, it's the core story behind Space Hulk which helps make it such a riveting experience. You assume the role of a group of Space Marine Terminators in the service of the Emperor, tasked with entering drifting, derelict spaceships and dealing with the alien menace contained within. This generally takes the form of Genestealers, swift multi-limbed beasts capable of ripping through the thick armour worn by the comparatively sluggish marines. While the Space Marines pack deadly firepower and powerful melee weapons, the aliens are faster and greater in number.
Here's some more info from the press release:
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 fearless Space Marine Terminators to battle in a ferocious fight for survival against hordes of predatory alien Genestealers. Based on the "Sin of Damnation" campaign from the 3rd edition board game, Space Hulk includes a robust 12 mission single-player campaign, a co-operative campaign, Blood Angel and Space Wolf Chapters and many other thrilling missions! Recreating the tense battles of the board game, multiplayer mode will allow players to go head-to-head as one player controls the Space Marines and their opponent the Genestealers, in the ultimate fight for domination.
Full Control's interpretation may be more faithful to the original game that the two titles published by EA, but it has garnered a mixed reception on PC, with some critics complaining that the online two-player mode — arguably the highlight of the package — needs more work. Hopefully the considerable amount of time which has elapsed since the launch of the PC version will have given Full Control ample opportunity to fine-tune the game and make improvements.
Either way, the Games Workshop fans in the Nintendo Life team are doing cartwheels around the office at this news. Are you a fan of the original? If so, will you be picking this up, or have you already had your fill of the game on PC? Ready your Bolter and put your team-mates on Overwatch before posting a comment below.
Comments 37
Oh cool, I had the original board game(?) of this.
This game looks like a gem. DEFINITELY interested.
The PC version had a wonky start, but constant updates with bug fixes and overall balancing issues made the game a very good alternative to owning the actual board game. Now, if only someone had enough Faith in Mankind to put "Space Marine" on Wii U...
The Wii U and Gamepad could definitely do with a game like this.Hopefully it has improved since the PC version though which only has 58 on Metacritic.
Played it on the original PlayStation and loved the premise. Hulk positioning on the gamepad and first person combat on the tv in real time would be perfect. Haven't played the PC version but it looks like it would fit beautifully on the Wii U.
This will be good. Then do doom, quake and then Saturn back catalogue
I'm a stranger to this franchise, but I'm super interested! Good news for Nintendo. Good news for me.
This game looks greate and I'm really interested in the WiiU version ^^
I just love Warhammer 40k ^^
I'm a huge fan of turn-based strategy; not so much of gritty sci-fi. This means I'm kinda torn.
Either way, I hope this succeeds on Wii U. Who knows, maybe one day we'll get a Civilization or Might & Magic Heroes port.
I still have locked away in my attic, 100's of Warhammer figures that I painted for both the original board game and the Warhammer Quest and RPG.
I also had the original Warhammer 4000 game on the Amiga and will most definitely be buying this on release. When is it due in Europe??
I can imaging the game pad will be the ideal for this style of game.
Is this the same studio who are making Mordheim? I was always more into fantasy than 40k. Great news though!
The U needs more games like this. I'm definitely interested.
Hell, I'm just happy to see that ANY third party game at this point coming to the Wii U. The console looks like a damn Mario Box right now. Looks like a huge step up over my old 3DO version--which, of course, it should!
Honestly surprised things like this and Xcom don't work there way over. Having the enemy use the gamepad exclusively works out great.
@AJWolfTill Hadn't heard anyone was doing that. In some ways I'd be surprised if it's happening since GW have dropped it from their website. I'd definitely be interested in it though.
I have this on PC and it's excellent. If it comes with all the DLC and the price is right I'll double dip.
Might be mildly interested, though I have the board game (fourth edition I think, I'm never sure which one is the latest) and still play it from time to time with one of my friends. Still a strategy game on Wii U could be something really interesting... :]
I loved painting my figures but never learned how to play. I've always loved the idea of it as it reminded me a lot of Starcraft. Here's hoping the Wii U version will be the best. Let's hope Full Control have full control.
Oh my god this game is coming to wiiu?That's awesome!!I love this game i been playing it alot on my PC.
GET OUT OF MY WAY! Wanted this original be on a Nintendo console for years.
Oooh, Is that dungeon keeper I see? added to wishlist
Always the Blood Angels.
wow wow wow!!
I don't like how they're all walking, it looks like they're trying not too crap themselves, it still looks like a good Game though.
i will buy it
you had me at warhammer!!! i'm a massive warhammer 40k fan, lets pray for some online multiplayer so me and my friend can stop trashing my house with our epic table top battles!
Warhammer + Wii U?!? YES!?!
Definitely happy to see this game on the wiiu and it will definitely fit perfectly on the wiiu because the gamepad. Seriously hope we get more rts games cant wait to get this
Didn't see that coming... yes!
We need Warhammer Dark Omen! Multiplayer on 3DS!
Have this on PC and its excellent. Will definitely buy it for Wii u. Its a perfect fit.
All of the modern Games Workshop stuff seems to be so dumbed down.
I tried to play Warhammer Fantasy Battle and it was probably too complicated for my age. Then I played the one after that just called Warhammer which was fine.
The new ones are like playing Snakes and Ladders.
Played this on ipad and its fairly rough in fairness, hope they fix it up before release. I love the warhammer universe but the game just wasent great.
Hmmm something a bit different on wii u?
Interesting....and about time!
If the armor is that useless against the enemies, you'd think they'd redesign their spacesuits to be lighter weight and therefore allow themselves more mobility.
I wonder if this sells well if they will release Space Hulk Ascension which was released on Steam in November to some good reviews?
@BulbasaurusRex They're actually incapable of doing anything like that. The story of Warhammer 40,000 is basically that humanity, scattered across a million worlds and numbering in the tens of trillions, has been at war with so many ferocious factions of aliens and daemons for so many thousands of years that technological and cultural advancement have been replaced by a brutal, deadly regime and absolute devotion to the nearly-dead God Emperor of Mankind.
There is no way for them to redesign what already exists, it was all produced tens of thousands of years ago, and no one currently alive knows enough about the technology to alter the designs without completely breaking them. They have to just reproduce them from the meager scraps of information they've gathered over the millennia. Moreover, that armor, Terminator armor, is actually incredibly strong, practically capable of taking on high explosive tank shells with little damage to the Space Marine wearing the armor.
The Genestealers (who are members of the quadrillion-strong, planet-consuming Tyranid race that is slowly invading the galaxy and devouring all life in its path) have simply evolved claws so unbelievably powerful and deadly that even the strongest materials mankind has ever produced are no match for them. Think of it as an arms race: If you no longer have the ability to produce better and better equipment, someone else is going to best you eventually. The rapidly-evolving Tyranids have done just that.
As for why they don't just send regular Space Marines in, who have much more sensible armor for the close quarters of these lost Hulks, it's really just a matter of veteran status. Only the oldest and most experienced Space Marines are allowed to wear Terminator armor, so only they have the skill to survive the ruthlessness of the Genestealers and the Tyranids.
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