Warhammer 40k: Space Marine

[Taiko]

***This is a thread about GAMEPLAY not a debate on PC Vs Console****

http://www.spacemarine.com/

So there's a new title coming from Relic for the console. If the moderators allow it, I thought it might be a good idea to initiate a thread in relation to the game in order to collate the main game play discussions points in the hope of producing a future FAQ thread. Details of the new game with a teaser trailer can be found here:

http://au.xbox360.ign.com/articles/987/987127p1.html

Some more info about W40k:SM:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/wa...marine-preview

E3 '09 closed door Q&A link 1/2, Extended trailer and Q&A link 3, extended trailer link 4:

http://www.thq.com/uk/features/show/7245

http://www.thq.com/uk/thqtv/index/?movieId=3245

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvjICeeoPAU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQoFwy1eu94

So to the discussion:

1. Gameplay

What we know already: Its a Third Person Shooter (TPS) Action Role Playing Game (ARPG) being developed for consoles. There will be Orks in the game. Gameplay is based on a four man Space Marine squad. The game will be developed for Xbox 360, PS3.

Its been confirmed that 40k:SM will be a TPS ARPG. Will it be a standard 'hack n slash' or is there more to it? From the trailer its fairly clear that there is a four man squad. So in SP will this mean you are in control of four units ala Brothers In Arms, and will this then translate to a 4 player co-op game online with some depth?

In terms of gameplay what direction should Relic be taking in terms of the target audience? A basic shooter for the casual gamer, or a more in depth tactically oriented game for the veteran gamer?


Will there be regional/best ping matchmaking option for MP/CO-OP?
I hope that Relic have a look at Halo 3 and CoD:WaW for how to make a matchmaking engine work for all regions, not just the USA. Please do not go down the Gears of War route and make MP games unplayable due to lag for anyone outside of the US. Build the matchmaking engine to allow for regional/best ping option, and you will have a very strong fanbase outside of the US.

Will Relic be using the Essence engine for this game?
No, the game uses the Phoenix Engine, which was developed in house by Relic*

Will the game be a sandbox game or linear levels?

Will there be boss fights?

Will there be a loot system and how will it be implemented?
Wargear will be a part of the loot system.

Will the character be a 'paper doll' and customisable?

Will there be vehicles?

What will the AI be like?

How many races will be in the game?
So far Ork and Space Marine in the SP.

When will it be released?

Will there be a demo?

Will there be multiplayer and/or co-op?
MP has been confirmed at E3 '09 Q&A.

What will be the max character level cap?

How will skill points/attributes system be implemented?

What will be the difficulty settings and will there be a hardcore (permanent death loss of loot mode)?

Can armor and weapons be modified?
Yes, you will be able to upgrade your weapons and armor with wargear.

Will there be any crafting?

Will game play be based on the 'trinity' of tank/dps/healer?

Will this game be faithful to 40k fluff?
Yes. Wargear upgrades will be faithful to fluff.

What SM chapters will there be?
So far Ultramarines are being used as 'placeholders'.

What classes will be in the game and what will their skills be?

Will Relic be porting it to PC?
For now there is no plans to port to PC.

What will the story be based on, and will game play focus on action more than role playing?
You are a SM sent to stop a Ork invasion of a vital Forge World. You and your squad are on a mission to discover what the Orks are looking for.

Will there be off-map call ins like orbital bombardment?

How will the controller be used?

Will there be a cover system like Gears of War 2?

What will be the death system?

Will combat be turn based?

How many hours of gameplay will there be?

How many and what achievement points will there be for Xbox/PS3?

What will be the resolution setting?

Will there be a ladder for online co-op play?

What DLC will there be after release?

What level of gore will there be, and what will the game rating be?

How will the targeting system work?

What weapons will be in the game?

Will there be dungeons?


Any other suggestions for topics for discussion would be appreciated, and included within this post, especially game related ones for a FAQ. In regards to the PC/Console debate. The reality is Relic is making a game for the console, so in many respects there is no debate. However, please keep any topic in regards to PC/Console civil or it will be flagged.


*For all their help a big thanks to: Tranj, Ruined, Cuddles, Bowkers

[Kushan_Pilot]

Some comments on observations, and potential.

Watching the video, I noticed that the Titan doesn't so much as twitch. It's part of the background art. I figure if it was going to be like God of War 2's intro, with the giant in the background, they would have lept at the opportunity and had it in this debut. Honestly, even moreso than in a mystical setting like God of War, Warhammer 40K should have Titan's and "warscapes" moving around in the background. If GoWar managed to make that work on the PS2, the 360 can certainly handle at least as much. I want to see lines of Imperial Guard heavy tanks advancing on lines of greenskins, with a Titan stomping about and causing vibrations through the controls with every step. Either with you as a part of that, or with it in the background to your specific engagement.

As for fight gameplay, I hope they learn from Mass Effect when it comes to how not to do it. With this I mean the AI charging around faster than you can track with a gamepad (or, indeed, right at you), and irksome vehicle segments and the like. A Hive World has nearly infinite potential for an almost ludicrous number of environments and big things happening. Ultra-large everything, powerful, loud, often with no regard to air/noise pollution. In fact, all the courtyards-surrounded-by-buildings in the vid is subtly wrong. The game needs to be more adventurous than DoW2's locales, that's for d*mn sure.

As for actual combat, it can't come off like, say, Final Fantasy where a line of Space Marines line up against an equal or close-to number of foes - they're the single best soldiers in the fluffy universe. So, how do you create a game where you're wading into the pile and utterly surrounded, but the orders you have to give mean anything? This is something the writers for the Black Library rarely try to make work. You just assume the ones "off screen" are doing something "f*cking amazing."

In fact, it looks like DoW2 upscaled.

[Pyro Paul]

it is too early to say.

but...
Wouldn't this be absolutely awsome if this game was a third person hack-n-slash built off of the L4D game? Intense Epic Co-Op and massive Ork Waagh hoards like you see in Left4Dead mixed with in your face blood filled melee...

Shut up! I can Dream, can't i!?!?

[JHD536]

I'm not saying that wouldn't be ten kinds of awesome(It absolutely would), but I don't see Space Marines as the "survivors sprinting to the safehouse" type.

(I'm thinking too literally, I know)

[Busby]

I for one hope its a squad based tactical game crossed with a fast hack and slash, as your order your fellow space marine to say, provide suppressive fire, and then jump pack into the orkz while your other allies follow behind. Maybe. Its still much to early. It could be practically anything at this point.

[Penitent]

Er, what is Warhammer 40k: Space Marine? What video?

[Taiko]

I think gameplay will be more offensive orientated. With the potential for cover systems, laying out ambushes with your four man squad in choke points, epic boss battles that will require a co-ordinated use of your four man squad etc.

[Busby]

Were have you been?

[KON Air]

I'm not saying that wouldn't be ten kinds of awesome(It absolutely would), but I don't see Space Marines as the "survivors sprinting to the safehouse" type.

Make it SM vs Tyranids and watch SM run at super human speeds.

[JHD536]

"It is better to die for the Emperor than live for yourself"

They would gladly hold their positions for the His glory.

[KON Air]

"Life is the Emperor's currency, spend it well."

Oh, then you always go for, Batsh-t Insane Marines. While true they are all batsh-t insane but not that insane. Wasting lives on a planet that's being eaten for no good is a heresy too.

Making it "They are checking safe houses to rescue the stranded" instead of "Run for your lives" settles it?

[Penitent]

Hmmm. What is it with 40k computer games and lame speeches. It's becoming a tradition. Warhamma: Spess mehrine! They want to steal this world, but nay, it is we who shall steal their world! Sindriiiii!

Is this game related to this at all? It's a leaked preview video from a few months ago called W40k: Space Marine and shows some gameplay.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGb8qIvEUhM

I hope they have made some changes since then, especially in regards to the player's ranged abilities.

[Busby]

In short: No. No real relation, that one was being made in Australia by THQ Aus.

The old Youtube video was for an action title Studio Aus was working on. This is a totally different project, though it does share the same name as the leaked video used.

"Life is the Emperor's currency, spend it well."

Space Marines that actually care about life have some real character beyond IN THE EMPHRAS NAME would be nice.

[JHD536]

Space Marines that have character beyond "In the emperors name!" are generally referred to as Chaos Marines.

[Busby]

They just yell "FOR [insert preferred god here], [insert god's war cry here]." They really are not that different. Hmph. WTB WH40K: Guardsmen.

[Kushan_Pilot]

Indeed, Busby. It makes me think of the Ultramarines novels in the Black Library by Counter. Uriel Ventris, Captain of an Ultramarines Company. He comes off more human than the rest of his brethren, and I appreciate it. Anyone who has read the omnibus will have read about his thoughts on things, like family, and the value of each and every brave soldier in the Imperium. Would be nice to have here, but it won't work if it's just a secondary character that feels that way (like Thaddeus in DoW2).

Edit: Unfortunately, Uriel is probably alone in this. Shy of bringing him into this game, they can't have another emotional Ultramarine. Which concerns me all over again.

[Hive_Node]

I just read about this on IGN. Having an Xbox 360 and playing it often enough this has me pumped. Sick cover too. Had to drop in to talk about this.

[Pyro Paul]

I'm not saying that wouldn't be ten kinds of awesome(It absolutely would), but I don't see Space Marines as the "survivors sprinting to the safehouse" type.

(I'm thinking too literally, I know)

hi, we are going to extermanus the planet.
please stand clear.


yeah, i do see marines sprinting from objective to objective to get to an evac point. they are an elite military force, not insane suicidal martyrs. that is reserved for the witch hunters with their acro-flagrents, repenta sisters, and pentience engines.

if the imperial fleet is going to deliver one hell of a light show in a couple of days the space marines are not going to stay planet side unless if for some very important reason. (serve as a beacon for a clensing orbital bombardment)

[JHD536]

If they were doing that, I'd figure they'd have a dropship going to *them* to take the squad off planet. It's unlikely for them to swarm the planet with so many soldiers that they have to have forces literally run for their lives to a point.

[Fire and Steel]

While I'm still desperately holding out for an Imperial Guard FPS along the lines of a Call of Duty 4/5/6 style, this looks like it has potential.

Not much gameplay beyond the bits of hacking and slashing in this video. I also don't see a problem with it being a hack n slash with rpg elements. As long as it's fun, plays wells, they do Space Marines epic justice, and the story suffices, this will be an easy rent for me. Rent, because I don't own a single next gen console. Or I could convince my friend to buy it so I don't have to rent it.

Either way, I'm looking forward to see a nice chunk of gameplay, some story, and something on what gameplay features they'll have.

[Akranadas]

I think we've already played the jist of this game. You know, fight through hordes of cannon fodder enemies, maybe do the secondary objective like secure a beacon or outpost, then fight your way through more cannon fodder enemies to fight the main boss at the end.

You know, DoW2. About a couple of space marines faced with impossible odds while a timer clicks down to oblivion, you are your squad mates are the only hope ect ect.

Oh and I forgot, you'll get to upgrade them with weapon drops every now and then between missions...

[ZellFish]

You're just pissed because there aren't any space elves. Get over it. Anyways, I think it looks (From the video), like it may be a pretty decent game. I don't mind another 40k shooter, as long as it is as far from Firewarrior as humanly possible.

[Taiko]

"You know, DoW2. About a couple of space marines faced with impossible odds while a timer clicks down to oblivion, you are your squad mates are the only hope ect ect."

This may very well be the case. There seemed to be a fairly positive response to DoW2 SP. However, it will be interesting to see how this pans out for the co-op mode if there is one. In regards to the SP, I would say the story will play an important role in the response to the game. Immersion is always one of the key aspects that ARPG gamers look for. And this is best done by having a good story IMO. In addition the type and variety of missions will also be of major interest.

[SpitfireMK461]

I can't wait to see more.

That is all.

[SubakuGaara]

Dude who is the guy who does the voice acting for the space marines and how much does he get paid???

And I'm a little tired of Space marines vs Orks. Why not SM v CSM???

[Akranadas]

It was going to be...

[Shuma]

Who said Chaos isn't in? Why would you advertise the main Villain in a teaser? It's like if Mass effect had advertised Sovereign as the main Villain instead of Saren in the teasers.

[Fire and Steel]

It was going to be...

Except that's not the same project.

I wonder if they scrapped that other project entirely or if it's going to be published under a different name. It would seem redundant after this announcement though.

[YurdleTheTurtle]

Wow this is actually a real game?

You guys remember that leaked video of this game back in 2008 (or was it 2007?)? I guessed that it wasn't Relic's game, but looks like I was wrong.

I'm generally not too interested in these kinds of game, but hopefully it'll go well.

[gorays]

Great news, although lot of you peeps have been waiting for HW 3, but this game looks great, so I can't wait for more news on it.

[Shuma]

Apparently that Leaked Video was about this game but it was being made by another company in Aus, the Studio closed and now Relic is doing the game.

So it Wasn't Relic's game, but it is now.

[Stingra]

Oh. Look. Another 40K game.

Well, guess that means I can continue to think of Relic and THQ as GW's whores.

[Rotlung]

I can't believe this is made by relic.

Edit: Having seen the video... Just wow. But it looks a little like Dawn of War 2. A little.

[holyknight]

at first i thought you guys were talking about the old video (which Akranadas posted) and then when I actually watched the new video, I was so amazed.

[Akranadas]

Fire and Steel, it is the same game; expect that THQ Australia got the project taken from them and given to Relic instead.

[Kane935]

Well I have one sentence to say, straight from the Chiefs mouth:

Sad ANGRY SUPRISED FACE!!!

Although it looks mean, I am sad thats its only on consoles. Wish it would come on pc. But man, those graphics look mean as. I hope relic does it well. But it seems abit melee orientated at first. I know its meant for the money shots, but I hope it has solid shooting too.

[CommodoreKitty]

So, wait, we have two third person action games featuring Ultramarine space marines in development under THQ being called "Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine"? What the hell is up with that?

(And they both look interesting to me)

[Taiko]

Well if you look at some of the more recent attempts at ARPG games on console, most map out the buttons so that you can do various combos using melee/ranged/spell based weapons. Darksiders is probably the most recent title to work on this style of combat system, but Fable 2 has a similar combat system. So you would have a face button assigned to a specific weapon, with triggers being for aim or cover etc. There's lots of different button combinations, but I think after reviewing the trailer, you would be able to switch fairly easily between the different weapons. However, Relic may have something completely different. I personally like Gears mapping: LT aim RT fire D-Pad weapon swap.

"So, wait, we have two third person action games featuring Ultramarine space marines in development under THQ being called "Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine"? What the hell is up with that?"

No, only one. There was a leaked version posted on the web last year. It was not the official version so we don't know whether that version is still in the game. The official version was announced today, see the link to the trailer in my first post.

[Enosh]

hmm I always wanted to buy a 360 for gow2, halo3 etc, maybe I will now do it over the summer given that the price for it is quite low...

hopping fo another price cut through, maybe over christmass...

[ÜberJumper]

Akra:

It's the same game title, but I expect all current assets and code are Relic's own. That'd mean nothing from the Australian studio was used.

[BrettMan]

I hope its something along the lines of God of War with a dash of Assassins Creed. AC wasn't the best of games, I know. But I liked having to time your moves right. Being surrounded by 10 guys and ruthlessly pwning them like theres no tomorrow.

Coop wouldn't hurt either. There is a lack of good coop games out.

[CommodoreKitty]

I was under the impression that the leaked video was from a game in development by an Aussie company, and this one is in development by Relic, both of which are owned by THQ. Is any of this wrong? I don't see what "official" has to do with anything is they are from two different companies.

[ÜberJumper]

There's only one in development, the title was moved from the THQ Australia studio to Relic.

[CommodoreKitty]

Ah, I see, that makes much more sense.

I just hope that Relic's second venture into the console market is more successful than the first.

[Fire and Steel]

It's the same game title, but I expect all current assets and code are Relic's own. That'd mean nothing from the Australian studio was used.

That's what I figured.

What little gameplay-esque footage we see in the new trailer barely resembles the teaser anyway, I think.

[Shuma]

@Commodore:

Well it looks like a Cross between Ninja Gaiden/Devil may Cry and Warhammer 40k, so there's no way that it can suck.

Unless it's not that, then we can only hope that it doesn't suck.

[Taiko]

There's a big difference. The leaked version only has one SM, its not an official version because THQ did not officially release it, the official one has 4 SM. Whether the official version is a depiction of a SP game or co-op is not clear. I'm hoping its SP and co-op. Controlling 4 SM in SP sounds like it has a little bit more depth than a 1 SM button masher.

[Verrin]

I am getting sort of sick of the Space Marines being the focus of most of these 40K titles. They're not exactly the most relatable set of characters, and beside their capacity for extreme brutality, they're a pretty dull lot.

The trailer looks good, but it feels like more of the same. I'll give Relic the benefit of the doubt, but this announcement is probably the first time I've really not been excited for a Relic game.

[gorays]

Did some one say "same" and "relic" in the same sentence? As far I Know, relic is known for creative/unique games.

[Akranadas]

Yeah Uber, I doubt any of the assets will be used; which is a horrible shame after all the work the previous studio put into the project.