Revealed at Warhammer Skulls on May 21, Complex Games returns to the grimdark universe in Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Deathwatch, offering fans total turn-based tactical control of the battlefields of the 41st millennium on XBOX Series X|S. 

Sequel to the critically acclaimed Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters, in this next brutal chapter, commanders will Lead the Long Vigil and take command of an elite Deathwatch Kill Team. For this instalment, combat has been redefined. Throughout the campaign, players will face off against seven enemy factions as they build and lead a squad with up to nine playable classes. Recruit and customise the best of the best from across the Imperium and combine classes, weapons, abilities, and unique chapters to form the ultimate Kill Team.

Complex Games has worked closely with the experts at Warhammer to craft an experience steeped in authenticity that delivers a rich and rewarding tactical approach to combat. Join us for a first look inside the grim darkness of the 41st millennium with Complex Games Studio Head Jonas Van Niekerk. 

How much do you need to know about Warhammer 40,000 lore to enjoy Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Deathwatch?

JVN: While we’ve focused on creating an authentic experience which Warhammer fans will love, we also wanted this story to welcome in those taking their first steps into the Warhammer 40,000 universe. The start of our story will take you in, bring you through the eyes of an inquisitor, where you’re learning about the Deathwatch and understanding the characters. 

We introduce new characters and classes to the player over time, until eventually they have the whole roster at their command. The aim with both Daemonhunters and Deathwatch was to be independent enough that it’s completely fine to come into this game with no prior knowledge.

How has the team’s experience working on Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters influenced the development of Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Deathwatch?

JVN: We’ve taken a lot of what we learned from the first game into Deathwatch. We didn’t want to stray too far from what made Daemonhunters so special. That core feel of the game will be familiar to returning players, but for those new to the series we’ve really finessed the general approach to our turn-based tactical strategy.

Player agency is right at the centre of the game, so we’ve focused on the moments that matter both on and off the battlefield. From customising your Space Marines and exploring their personal chapter stories which form part of their individual identities through strategic events, to quickly outfitting your Kill Team before they deploy to the surface and overseeing the sector’s ongoing conflict.

Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters was known for battles against the odds, and using the environment to your advantage by toppling cathedral pillars or launching vent hatches, will these return?

JVN: Oh absolutely, those events created moments that reflect the epic tactical approach on the battlefields of the 41st millennium, so in Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Deathwatch we’ve really leaned into that domino effect, where your choices in combat matter. There’s a lot of abilities that let you fling units over ledges, psychic pushes, psychic pulls, units that charge and throw others out of the way… it makes each unit feel powerful.

We also put a big focus on trying to make sure that the player feels like they have a balanced decision-making process between melee and range combat. We felt like Daemonhunters was a great example of swinging heavy into the melee combat side of things and there’s definitely a lot of builds and loadouts that you can run with in Daemonhunters that are more range focused. But in Deathwatch, we focused on the interplay between the two and leveraging the environment. The player can choose to topple a cathedral pillar onto a foe to expose them for example, and then use a more ranged focused unit to safely pick them off. Introducing units that are solely built for range or for melee is one of the big choices we made when designing the game, and formed part of our decision to expand the squad size up to 8. It allows commanders to cater to a variety of compositions and it means you can bring these tailored units without feeling like you need every unit to be a ‘jack of all trades.’

How has the team approached bringing this next chapter of the Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate universe to XBOX Players?

JVN: Right at the start of development, we made the decision to bring this to consoles, and we’re doing everything in studio with that in mind from day one. We’ve been designing the entire UI system with console in mind, and throughout the whole process, making sure that it feels natural whilst still feeling at home on a PC. The team are basically switching between controller and keyboard and mouse controls constantly, making sure that the experience feels great for both. It looks great on XBOX, we really can’t wait for players to experience this!

The team at Complex Games will return with more information on the battles to come soon, but that’s just a first look at the battles to come… For more information on Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Deathwatch or to wishlist the game, visit the game’s website or XBOX store page.

Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Deathwatch

Frontier Developments

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Command the Imperium’s most elite alien-hunters in a brutal, turn-based tactical RPG. As an Inquisitor of the Deathwatch, every squad you build and every decision you make shapes the fate of a sector under siege from Genestealer Hivecults, Orks, T’au, and the forces of Chaos.

CHAOS GATE EVOLVED
As a direct sequel to Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters, this new chapter builds upon the critically acclaimed first game. Broader class identity, new squad customisation and composition, and a wider variety of missions and units creates deeper tactical choices. New vehicles such as the towering Redemptor Dreadnought, the agile Scout Sentinel, and the battle-hardened Leman Russ tank bring more devastating ways to deliver the Emperor’s will.

BUILD YOUR TEAM
Recruit and customise elite specialists from across the Imperium. Combine classes, weapons, abilities, and unique Chapters to forge squads that are tailored to each mission.

TACTICS THAT REWARD PRECISION
Combat demands discipline. Positioning, timing, squad synergy, and environmental hazards all determine the flow of combat. Utilise terrain as a weapon and out-plan threats through disciplined, deliberate execution.

A SECTOR AT WAR
Fight across the war-torn worlds of the Tyrian expanse against seven distinctive enemy factions. Each force brings unique behaviours, battlefield pressures, and tactical demands. You and your team must adapt or perish.

FORGE YOUR OWN WAR IN SKIRMISH MODE
For commanders seeking pure combat focus, the new Skirmish Mode offers standalone battles. Configure your Kill Team, test new squad compositions, experiment with different tactics, and take on select factions in these new encounters. Whether you are refining your strategy or pushing the limits, Skirmish Mode gives you total control.