Warhammer 40,000: Darktide similar games & best alternatives

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 • 2022

Should you play it?

Take back the city of Tertium from hordes of bloodthirsty foes in this intense and brutal action shooter. Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is the new co-op focused experience from the award-winning team behind the Vermintide series. As Tertium falls, Rejects Will Rise.

What works
  • Deep and satisfying melee combat
  • Strong cooperative gameplay
  • Immersive grimdark warhammer 40k atmosphere
  • Meaningful progression and customization
  • Excellent soundtrack and sound design
Things to keep in mind
  • Limited map and mission variety
  • Grind-heavy progression systems
  • Some performance and stability issues
  • Cosmetic store can be expensive
  • Bots and solo play less effective

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Prophecy

  • Heroes of Hammerwatch

  • Dread Dawn

  • Space Hulk: Deathwing Enhanced Edition

  • Serious Sam 4

  • GUARDS!

  • Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem

  • Ratatan

  • Gatewalkers (Alpha)

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • MetaPhysical

  • 5089: The Action RPG

  • Kingdom of Atham: Crown of the Champions

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Cooperation

    Killing Floor

  • Fantasy

    Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun

  • Violence

    Blood Bowl - Legendary Edition

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Violence. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Exploration, Intimacy.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

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    "Players have significant control over skill choices, weapon crafting, character selection, and build customization, allowing personal playstyle development."

    Capsule for Soulstone Survivors: Prologue Soulstone Survivors: Prologue

    "Players have significant control over character builds via skill trees and weapon customization, allowing personal playstyle choices."

  • Competence

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    "High skill ceiling with challenging combat, requiring mastery of timing, stances, and mechanics; players improve through practice and learning."

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    "High skill ceiling with challenging combat and progression; players improve through mastering mechanics and builds."

  • Competition

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    -3

    "Focus is on cooperative PvE gameplay with no PvP or ranked modes; emphasis on team success rather than player comparison."

    Capsule for Void Crew Void Crew

    "Focus is on cooperative PvE play without ranked modes or leaderboards; emphasis on team success over player comparison."

  • Continuation

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    "Many players report long playtimes and habitual engagement, with progression systems encouraging extended play."

    Capsule for Croakoloco Croakoloco

    "Many players report long playtimes and habitual engagement; grind and progression systems encourage repeated play."

  • Cooperation

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    5

    "Strong emphasis on teamwork and class synergy; success depends on coordinated group play."

    Capsule for Killing Floor Killing Floor

    "Strong emphasis on teamwork and class synergy; success depends on coordinated group play."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Customization of weapons, burst arts, and companions allows creative experimentation with builds and combat styles."

    Capsule for GOD EATER 3 GOD EATER 3

    "Customization of builds and weapons allows creative experimentation within defined class frameworks."

  • Domination

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    -4

    "Gameplay encourages equal team participation and mutual support rather than dominance or power over others."

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    "Community and gameplay encourage shared team roles and mutual support rather than dominance or power over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game to immerse in the grimdark 40k universe and escape real life through brutal combat."

    Capsule for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - Anniversary Edition Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - Anniversary Edition

    "Players use the grimdark setting and intense combat as immersive escape from real life stress."

  • Expectation

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    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or external pressure."

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    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

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    "Encourages trying new builds, skill synergies, and weapon combinations to find effective strategies and play styles."

    Capsule for Ember Knights Ember Knights

    "Skill trees and weapon mastery encourage trying new builds and strategies."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    -2

    "Maps are limited and reused; exploration is less emphasized than gameplay variety."

    Capsule for ROUNDS ROUNDS

    "Maps have limited variety and repeat similar environments; exploration is less emphasized."

  • Expression

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    3

    "Character and equipment cosmetics allow personal expression, though customization options are somewhat limited."

    Capsule for Midnight Heist Midnight Heist

    "Character customization and cosmetic options allow personal expression, though some cosmetics are paid."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    5

    "Strong immersion in the imaginative Warhammer 40k universe with space marines, heretics, and grimdark lore."

    Capsule for Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun

    "Strong immersion in the imaginative grimdark Warhammer 40k universe with fictional classes and lore."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    4

    "Players often form communities and friendships through cooperative play and shared experiences."

    Capsule for Killing Floor Killing Floor

    "Players often form social connections through cooperative play and community engagement."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop skills and knowledge of complex combat and game systems."

    Capsule for The Desolate Hope The Desolate Hope

    "Players develop skills and knowledge through mastering combat and build systems."

  • Health

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    -4

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

    Capsule for Baldur's Gate 3 Baldur's Gate 3

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

  • Idle

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    -3

    "Requires focused attention during missions; not designed for casual or background play."

    Capsule for Aliens: Fireteam Elite Aliens: Fireteam Elite

    "Requires focused attention during missions; not designed for casual or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -3

    "Social interactions are surface-level, focused on cooperative gameplay rather than close relationships."

    Capsule for Bone's Cafe Bone's Cafe

    "Social interactions are mostly functional and surface-level within cooperative gameplay."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

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    "Some players take leadership roles in coordinating strategies and team play, but overall balanced group participation is common."

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    "Some players take leadership roles in coordinating teams, but gameplay supports balanced group participation."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

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    "Strong progression system with weapon unlocks, skill upgrades, and building improvements motivates continued advancement."

    Capsule for Over 9000 Zombies! Over 9000 Zombies!

    "Strong progression systems with leveling, weapon mastery, and crafting motivate continued advancement."

  • Relaxation

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    "Gameplay can be intense but also offers flow and catharsis for players who master it."

    Capsule for Guilty Gear X2 #Reload Guilty Gear X2 #Reload

    "Gameplay can be intense but also provides satisfying flow and catharsis for players."

  • Sensation

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    "Visceral combat, gore, flashy effects, and energetic soundtrack provide strong sensory stimulation."

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    "Visceral combat, detailed visuals, and a unique soundtrack provide strong sensory stimulation."

  • Status

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    -2

    "Limited social status mechanics; recognition mainly within small multiplayer groups."

    Capsule for ICARUS ICARUS

    "Limited social status mechanics; recognition mainly within cooperative groups rather than broad visibility."

  • Story

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    "Narrative is minimal and serves as background; story is present but not a primary focus."

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    "Narrative is minimal but present through voice lines and mission context; not a primary focus."

  • Strategy

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    "Players engage in tactical combat, build planning, and strategic decision-making to overcome challenges."

    Capsule for Conquest Dark Conquest Dark

    "Players engage in tactical combat decisions, build planning, and team coordination."

  • Thrill

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    "High difficulty, suspenseful combat, and risk of death create tension and adrenaline rushes."

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    "High difficulty modes and intense combat provide suspense and adrenaline."

  • Value

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    "Many players feel the game offers good value for time and money, especially with ongoing updates."

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    "Many players feel the game offers good value for time and money, especially after updates."

  • Violence

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    "Enjoyment of violent combat and brutal actions as core gameplay elements."

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    "Enjoyment of brutal melee and ranged combat with graphic violence is central to gameplay."

  • Survival

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    "Players must manage threats, damage, and resource states to survive missions."

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    "Players must manage threats, resources, and team survival in challenging missions."

Last update: 01/06/2026