New Total War: Warhammer 40,000 gameplay showcases an extended battle between Orks and the Imperium

IGN published an extensive gameplay video for Total War: Warhammer 40,000, currently in development by Creative Assembly.

In the video, developers walk through a full battle between Orks and Astra Militarum forces, showing off several new mechanics that set this entry apart from previous games in the series.

The battle takes place on a mixed-type map, combining open ground with denser built-up areas offering cover. The developers noted upfront that the interface shown in the video isn't final, with some panels having been reworked just days before the footage went out.

One of the key new systems is strategic reserves. This goes beyond old-school reinforcements – players decide ahead of time which units start on the field and which arrive later, with the method of arrival depending on the faction.

Space Marines can drop in via drop pods or arrive on Thunderhawks, while Guard units move in a more traditional fashion, gradually advancing from the rear toward the front line.

Two rows of icons sit above the minimap, each handling different functions. The top row controls bombardments – orbital strikes, missile salvos from Valkyries, and off-map artillery pieces.

The bottom row holds army orders specific to the Astra Militarum: command units broadcast orders to nearby squads, granting them tactical buffs. The developers said the mechanic draws directly from the Warhammer 40,000 tabletop rules.

The game features a full fog of war system. In the build shown, its visuals weren't turned on yet, but the underlying mechanic was already active – which is why the Orks stayed hidden for a good chunk of the battle.

The developers explained that buildings and obstacles block sightlines, meaning destroying structures can become a legitimate tactical move to restore visibility.

The cover system has some nuance to it. The map includes pre-placed fortified positions with sandbags, which provide both a physical simulation of protection and a gameplay bonus to evasion.

When a heavy bombardment carves out a crater, units can also take position inside it for partial protection, though without the bonus tied to fortified cover. Even cover that's been destroyed retains a small protective effect, so players aren't forced to constantly track the exact state of every piece of terrain on the field.

Near the end of the video, a Stompa showed up – a massive Ork walker that the developers called the largest unit in Total War history. They added that even bigger units are planned down the line. An orbital bombardment ultimately put the Stompa down, closing out an already intense demonstration.

Total War: Warhammer 40,000 is coming to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. A release date hasn't been announced yet.