Warhammer 40K is one of the most popular tabletop strategy games around. I know because I've learned the basics and attended a tournament. And believe me, this is a really popular underground hobby. But the developers of this Warhammer game took a great strategy game and turned it into a so-so FPS. Not a good idea. In the game, you play a Tau warrior. Who tries to defend your race when the pushy human's come in to take things over. Now even though the story is fine, gameplay suffers. Controlls are ok, but they force you to use the analog, which will be a sore spot for the old school gamers out there. The level design and gameplay are the big issues though. Most of the game takes place in many corridors. Lots and lots of corridors. I wish that I could say that this game had more interesting areas than corridors and ducks, but they don't. Also, in the future. Full of crazy weapons and armor. You would think that the Imperium's, or human, soldiers would have advanced tactics. Nope. They are back in medevil times. They only seem to charge at you as you mow them down in a hail of laser fire. It's a wonder the human race survived to the 41st millenium. The graphics are actually above par. When you enter an area where you can actually see space, it looks fantastic, and awe inspiring. But that rarely happens, since your always inside continually shooting at fools. The game does borrow a fiew of the good elements from Halo. For instance, you can only hold two weapons. But you can't drop your starting weapon, even when your ammo is depleted. Why? Also you have a regenerating shield, but it gets depleted as soon as a fight starts. Overall, Firewarrior is just a slightly below average game. But if it would have come out when the PS2 did, it could have been solid. But players just come to expect more from an FPS nowadays. Stick with the tabletop game.

First off I really don't know anything about Warhammer 40,000 comics, board games or books. I can't say how this game treats the franchise. I base this review on the game being a FPS. This a solid shooter in both graphics and game play. The thing is it didn't do anything to blow my socks off. It's a beautiful looking game but AI and level design is average. The weapons and ammo are limited. You start off with a couple laser guns but they just don't have any punch. When you do get a sniper or shotgun you only have limited ammo. The game is fun for awhile but becomes repetitive in later levels. With the new price drop to 20 bucks it's worth owning.

I always look forward to the latest sci-fi game, especially when they take place in deep space and involve a lot of things blowing up. :) The saddest part about Warhammer 40,000... was that it forced me to use those annoying thumb knobs to control not only my movement but my aim as well. I personally like to be given the choice of using the toggle button on the left. Some people like the knobs. But forcing me to use one tool over another is no way to win over this player. Aside from that the gameplay didn't seem much different then a hundred other PS1 games. Oh, well. Thank God for renting.