Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade put players on the planet of Arkhona in a fight between four factions of the 41st millennium. The shooter, developed by Behaviour Interactive and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, launched on PC in 2016, with plans for PS4 and Xbox One ports that were later canceled. Players pick one of twenty sub-factions, earn weapons and accessories from 26 years of Warhammer 40,000 lore, and fight together across persistent war zones.
Trailer, via IGDBcom.
The World of Arkhona
Arkhona serves as the battlefield for the game’s persistent war zones. Players move through shifting frontlines, cutting off supply lines, besieging walled fortresses, and striking deep into enemy territory. The game promises a vicious battle between four factions, each fighting to control the world.
Players plan strategy from orbit before facing death side by side with their squad. They defend strongholds or delve into the Underworld to fight hordes of ravening Tyranids. Victory belongs to armies, not single warriors.
Fighting Together
The core loop is squad-based combat, with players working as a team to win battles against other factions or waves of enemies. The game supports both PvP and PvE modes, with MMO-style combat involving hundreds of other players on the field at once.
Combat ranges from close sword clashes to massive battles with tanks. Players can go toe-to-toe in melee, snipe enemies from afar, or fire into the fray from a seat inside a gun-loaded Predator tank. The mix of close quarters and vehicle combat gives the game a distinct identity within the shooter genre.
Customization and Lore
Weapon and accessory options draw from 26 years of Warhammer 40,000 lore. Players can build their perfect warrior through hundreds of choices. The game also lets players choose allegiances and backgrounds, shaping their character’s place within the wider universe.
The customization system offers real depth for players who want to build a unique character tied to the game’s rich history.
“Victory is not a thing for a single warrior to claim, but the result of the fury of armies.”
That line captures the game’s emphasis on teamwork over individual glory. Every battle depends on coordination between players.
The Canceled Ports
As of January 2016, the game was planned for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, with a later release date. Those plans fell apart, leaving the game available only on PC. The lack of console versions is a notable absence for a game built around persistent multiplayer.
Final Assessment
Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade captures the spirit of its source material with a customizable, squad-based shooter set on a persistent battlefield. Its lore ties and customization options offer real depth for players.
Key Facts Box
– Platforms: PC (Windows), PS4, Xbox One (ports canceled)
– Release date: September 23, 2016
– Developer: Behaviour Interactive
– Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
– Factions: Four factions of the 41st millennium
– Sub-factions: Twenty different options
– Weapons/accessories: Hundreds drawn from 26 years of Warhammer 40,000 lore
The game’s persistence model is ambitious, though the full scope of that ambition was never realized on console. For players who want a deep, lore-rich shooter with squad play, Eternal Crusade delivers.
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