Mechanicus 2 will have Space Marines, but you won't be able to play as them

Of all the upcoming Warhammer 40k games, Mechanicus 2 may be the one I'm most hyped about. While Dark Heresy is shaping up to be the perfect successor to Rogue Trader (keep your eyes peeled for more on that), I'm a secret Necron fanatic, so seeing those creepy skeletal monsters brought to life is far too exciting. I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at Bulwark Studios' grimdark adventure at Gamescom, and it feels like a deeper, better-realized version of the first game, offering unique faction gameplay, epic battle scenes, and, as confirmed during my preview, Space Marines.

Space Marines are, of course, the beating heart of the Imperium's heretic-slaying, galaxy-conquering forces, so it's hardly surprising that they'll appear in Mechanicus 2. While the overarching narrative focuses on the conflict between the eponymous tech priests and their ancient xenos rivals, Bulwark has confirmed that the Emperor's armor-clad loyalists will appear in the strategy game - but you won't be able to play as them. That's what Space Marine 2 (and now 3) is for.

During my preview, we see a small troop of Space Marines come to the Mechanicus' aid, whose stronghold on Hekatus 4 has been besieged by Vargard Nefershah's minions. Before the battle begins, there's a brief cutscene showing off a troop of the blue-clad warriors, who are set to join their mechanical brothers in arms to fend off the colossal Necron attack.

But while Mechanicus 2 does feature Space Marines, Bulwark stresses that they're not playable characters, instead acting as CPU-controlled NPCs that move as one and contribute to battle independently. I saw several of these army-style single units throughout the demo, with Bulwark stating that the aim is to make you feel like you're in the middle of a larger, wider conflict. Their presence - and the presence of other additional NPCs - certainly does make it feel like you're at the heart of a battle, versus a ragtag team of soldiers fighting pre-programmed enemies on a surprisingly quiet patch of ground.

The Space Marines (and perhaps other familiar faces) will show up at pivotal, climactic parts of the game's twin campaigns, really making it feel like the entire galaxy has come to your aid. Praise the Omnissiah, am I right?

I actually prefer this, however. While I love a Space Marine as much as the next wargamer, the key players in Mechanicus 2 are the aforementioned Machine Cult and the Necrons. The level of detail in each faction is perfect  - the Necron skill tree, for example, is designed to follow each unique dynasty's specific emblem, which made me smile from ear to ear.

Similarly, each faction's specific units and characters are equally as stunning - leaders interact with their various minions in specific ways, meaning you can customize your armies to your heart's content, while simultaneously building synergies and creating a force that's strong enough to fell the Emperor (or Nefershah) himself (that was my inner Necron speaking, sorry). They feel distinct but also reminiscent of the armies you've played on tabletop, and that, for me, is the most important thing.

So sure, Space Marines are cool, but the level of depth that each of Mechanicus' factions has trumps big, flashy armor for me. Instead, I can't wait to hold the power of a Necron dynasty in my hand, and use it to crush the universe's fleshy misfits.

If you, like me, are determined to foil the Imperium's plans, check out our list of the best Warhammer 40k games to get a taste for all things grimdark and grimy. Alternatively, if you're looking for a more relaxing meander amid the stars, here's our guide to all the best space games.

Are you excited about Mechanicus 2? Or is Space Marine 3 more your vibe? Let us know on Discord, and tell us which army you play, too.