Games Workshop's highly anticipated Warhammer 40,000 animation, Astartes 2, resurfaces with a stunning teaser trailer, captivating fans worldwide. However, a crucial detail emerges: the trailer showcases scenes not featured in the upcoming 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 impact is undeniable, even inspiring Saber Interactive's successful Space Marine 2. Games Workshop subsequently hired Pedersen to helm the sequel.
After a prolonged silence, the January 29th teaser trailer release surprised fans. The trailer boasts breathtaking visuals, depicting intense melee combat, explosive firefights, thrilling vehicle battles, and epic spaceship clashes. Various Space Marine chapters engage in combat across diverse environments against formidable foes, including Tyranids, Orks, and Tau.
It's not even February yet and the Ws for 2025 won't stop coming! Astartes is back, Brothers! pic.twitter.com/sYhu5LjwiC
— Champions of the Ice (@ChampionsOTIce2) January 29, 2025
Despite the hype, Games Workshop clarified on the Warhammer Community website that the trailer is a compilation of shots representing the characters' past lives, not actual footage from Astartes 2. The final scene hints at the narrative's direction, leaving fans to decipher the clues.
This lack of transparency, without a clear disclaimer on the trailer itself, is a potential drawback. Many viewers will likely assume the trailer's content will appear in the final animation.
The teaser's intriguing imagery, possibly depicting characters joining an Inquisition-led Deathwatch Terminator squad, fuels fan speculation. The visual spectacle has even sparked interest from Space Marine 2 fans, who are hoping for some of Astartes 2's impressive elements, such as capes, to be incorporated into the game. With Saber Interactive continuing to update Space Marine 2, the possibility remains open. The Astartes series continues to inspire and influence the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
