When it comes to sheer lore, scale, and unrelenting badassery, few franchises deliver like Warhammer. Whether you’re deep in the trenches of the grimdark Warhammer 40,000 universe or hacking through hordes of Chaos in Warhammer Fantasy, the franchise has spawned some of the most brutal and beloved games in PC and console history.

With decades of titles under its belt—ranging from hardcore strategy epics to fast-paced first-person carnage—Warhammer’s digital history is packed with absolute bangers (and a few… not-so-glorious misfires). But today, we’re focusing on the best of the best. Whether you’re a veteran of the Emperor’s Holy Orders or new to the franchise, here are the best Warhammer games of all time—ranked, revered, and ready for war.

🎖️ 1. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War (2004)

Genre: Real-time strategy
Why it’s elite:
This is the game that brought Warhammer 40K into mainstream PC gaming. Dawn of War nailed the brutal, industrial aesthetic of the 40K universe, complete with bloodthirsty Space Marines, foul Orks, and desperate Eldar. Its base-building, squad-based combat, and massive battles are still legendary—and it spawned an equally impressive trilogy of expansions.

🔥 “For the Emperor!” never hit harder than in this RTS masterpiece.

⚔️ 2. Total War: Warhammer II (2017)

Genre: Turn-based strategy / real-time tactics
Why it’s elite:
The Total War series and Warhammer Fantasy were a match made in tactical heaven. Warhammer II expanded on the already solid foundation of its predecessor, adding lizardmen, dark elves, skaven, and even more chaos. Its massive campaign, rich lore, and cinematic battles make it one of the most immersive strategy games ever made.

🐀 Pro tip: Skaven players are legally obligated to yell “Yes-yes!” while playing.

🛡️ 3. Warhammer: Vermintide 2 (2018)

Genre: Co-op FPS / hack-and-slash
Why it’s elite:
Think Left 4 Dead, but with giant rats, Chaos cultists, and greatswords. Vermintide 2 is a co-op bloodbath where you and up to three friends carve your way through endless waves of enemies using melee combat that actually feels good. Each character has unique abilities, careers, and weapons, making it endlessly replayable—and brutally satisfying.

🪓 Smash a Stormvermin in the face and try not to grin. Impossible.

👑 4. Total War: Warhammer III (2022)

Genre: Grand strategy
Why it’s elite:
The trilogy concludes with a demonic bang. Warhammer III introduces the Realms of Chaos, epic sieges, and faction diversity on a scale we’ve never seen before. Oh, and Immortal Empires? It’s the Warhammer sandbox strategy fans have dreamed of for decades.

🧠 Want deep strategy, betrayal, and demon princes? This is your game.

🔫 5. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine (2011)

Genre: Third-person action
Why it’s elite:
Gears of War meets Warhammer 40K in this criminally underrated gem. You play as Captain Titus, mowing down Orks and Chaos with a chainsword in one hand and a bolter in the other. The combat is heavy, brutal, and gloriously over-the-top.

🎮 With Space Marine 2 on the horizon, now’s the perfect time to revisit this cult classic.

☠️ 6. Warhammer 40,000: Darktide (2022)

Genre: Co-op FPS
Why it’s elite:
From the makers of Vermintide, Darktide swaps swords for lasguns and drops you into the grim, plague-ridden hive cities of 40K. It’s moody, atmospheric, and absolutely dripping with 40K flavor. Fighting Nurgle cultists in the bowels of Tertium never gets old.

🎤 The soundtrack slaps. The voice acting is chef’s kiss. The vibes are immaculate.

🧠 7. Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus (2018)

Genre: Turn-based tactics
Why it’s elite:
Play as the Adeptus Mechanicus—cyber-priests obsessed with knowledge, machines, and wiping Necrons from existence. Mechanicus blends tactics, resource management, and some of the best 40K writing in any game. The soundtrack? Unholy techno-chant fire.

🤖 Praise the Omnissiah and upgrade your servitors for maximum heretic-smashing.

🧛 8. Warhammer: Chaosbane (2019)

Genre: Action RPG
Why it’s elite:
Looking for a Warhammer version of Diablo? Chaosbane delivers. It may not reinvent the wheel, but smashing through hordes of Chaos in loot-heavy dungeon crawls is never a bad time. Best enjoyed in couch co-op or online with friends.

🔥 9. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun (2023)

Genre: Boomer shooter / retro FPS
Why it’s elite:
This game is a love letter to DOOM, drenched in 40K madness. You’re an Ultramarine firing a boltgun that actually sounds like a boltgun. It’s fast, gory, and completely over-the-top in the best way.

🎯 If you ever wanted a game that captures the pure essence of 40K chaos in FPS form—this is it.

🧟 10. Warhammer: The End Times – Vermintide (2015)

Genre: Co-op hack-and-slash
Why it’s elite:
The one that started the Vermintide series. It laid the groundwork for its superior sequel but still holds up with its unique blend of tension, atmosphere, and melee combat. The Skaven hordes never end, and that’s exactly the point.

Final Thoughts: For the Emperor… or the Horned Rat

Warhammer is a universe of constant war, deep lore, and absurdly over-the-top violence—and its best games embrace that fully. Whether you’re commanding legions in Total War, purging heretics in Space Marine, or getting chewed on by Skaven in Vermintide, there’s a Warhammer game for every kind of fan.

So grab your bolter, bless your machine spirit, and jump into one of these classics. Just don’t forget to bring backup… the Warp is rarely forgiving.