Games Workshop's highly anticipated Warhammer 40,000 animation, Astartes 2, has resurfaced with a stunning teaser trailer, captivating fans worldwide. However, a crucial detail emerges: the trailer showcases footage not included in the actual animation.
Astartes 2, a sequel to the acclaimed fan-made original by Syama Pedersen, is considered a landmark achievement in Warhammer 40,000 animation. Its predecessor's success even inspired Saber Interactive's Space Marine 2. Games Workshop subsequently hired Pedersen to helm the sequel.
After years of silence, the January 29th release of the teaser trailer generated significant excitement. The trailer boasts breathtaking visuals, depicting intense melee combat, explosive shootouts, thrilling vehicle battles, and epic spaceship clashes. Various Space Marine chapters engage in conflict across diverse environments, facing off against Tyranids, Orks, and Tau.
Despite the hype, Games Workshop clarified on the Warhammer Community website that the teaser is a compilation of shots representing the characters' past lives, not actual scenes from Astartes 2. The trailer subtly hints at the final storyline, leaving fans to piece together the narrative.
The lack of a disclaimer on the trailer itself is a potential concern, as fans might reasonably expect the depicted content to feature in the animation. The final image suggests the characters might form an Inquisition-led Deathwatch Terminator squad.
The teaser's impressive visuals have already sparked interest from Space Marine 2 fans, who hope to see some elements, perhaps even capes, integrated into the game. Given Saber Interactive's ongoing updates, this inspiration could be a possibility.
Astartes 2 is slated for a 2026 release exclusively on Games Workshop's Warhammer+ streaming service. While the teaser is visually impressive, it remains a standalone piece, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the actual animation's debut.
