The world of Warhammer is primarily known for its dark sci-fi setting of Warhammer 40,000. A lesser-known but equally beloved version among fans is the fantasy version of the universe. If you can’t get into spaceships and lasers, MeinMMO has some games for those who prefer magic and swords.
When one mentions Warhammer, most would likely first think of the poster boys of Warhammer 40,000, the Space Marines. And it’s no wonder: Games Workshop heavily promotes these pumped-up superhumans. Just recently, even larger armors and fatter weapons were announced.
However, there has been a fantasy offshoot for many years: Warhammer Fantasy, or in tabletop now “The Old World.” In the lore, this world has now fallen (and has been replaced by Age of Sigmar), but as a setting, it still exists.
Although Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer Fantasy have much in common, they are (almost) completely independent universes. Only the power of Chaos is said to be the same in both worlds.
And a look at Warhammer Fantasy is worth it – not only for those interested in getting to know Warhammer but who can’t get into science fiction, but also for existing fans. Because there are some cool races in Warhammer Fantasy that don’t exist (anymore) in 40,000.
This list features five games that are excellent for getting to know the world of Warhammer Fantasy. It is not a ranking but an unordered list of personal recommendations from the author, who has invested thousands of hours in various Warhammer games.
Vermintide
One of the best, perhaps even the best game to introduce you to Warhammer Fantasy is Vermintide and Vermintide 2. Here you not only have action-packed co-op gameplay in a team of up to four players but also pretty much everything that makes Warhammer, Warhammer:
- absurd amounts of enemies that you slice through with swords, pistols, bows, and magic
- the constant feeling that death is literally around the next corner
- biting, rough, and sometimes macabre humor
What makes Vermintide so great is especially its diversity of characters, consisting of a (slightly crazy) wizard, a stubborn dwarf, a vain wood elf, a fanatical inquisitor, and a rough soldier.
The team, known as the “Ubersreik Five,” is constantly engaged in sarcastic arguments with sharp comments, even in the heat of battle against five times larger Rat Ogres. Skaven, the nasty ratmen, are primarily your opponents – alongside Chaos cultists and Beastmen.
From the gameplay perspective, you can expect a game similar to Left4Dead. With your group, you complete individual missions in relatively linear levels with specific tasks that you must fulfill. You will constantly be attacked by enemies, elite monsters, or minibosses.
Unlike Left4Dead, the focus is significantly stronger on melee combat. Each character has multiple classes to choose from for more variety and unique skills and weapons. Vermintide is not only excellent for getting to know Warhammer Fantasy, it is also one of the best games to dive into the world of Warhammer.
