
Space Marines are genetically modified soldiers that defend humanity from everything in the universe that isn’t human, like the Tyranids. Several thousand years prior to the events of Deathwing, there was a significant schism within the Space Marine ranks and several of their number were corrupted by Chaos.

Many of their ships were sucked into a place outside of known space called “the Immaterium” or “the Warp.” All of that floating wreckage occasionally accumulates within the Immaterium and becomes a “Space Hulk.” Space Hulks appear from, and re-enter, the Warp at random and often contain lost technology from the Space Marines’ past, thereby making them much sought prizes by a variety of races. With that out of the way, it’s worth noting that having prior knowledge of the vast lore of Warhammer 40k isn’t needed to “get into” Deathwing. The game itself does a fantastic job of drawing you into the world. The environmental and sound design work that Streum On has done is nothing short of impressive. Walking through the empty corridors and hearing the occasional scuttling of claws, a pipe releasing steam, or the metal of the ship creaking and groaning build a tense atmosphere where you never feel entirely at ease.
