Warhammer 40K: Space Marine leads THQ's triple play

While the Warhammer 40,000 universe has featured in multiple PC titles, including the critically acclaimed Dawn of War II, Space Marine marks the series first outing on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Developed by THQ's in-house studio Relic Entertainment, whose previous works include Dawn of War II and Company of Heroes, the title puts players in control the Space Marines as they battle aliens and demons in an effort to save humanity.

Space Marine is only the second Warhammer 40,000-based game to not feature strategy gameplay, the first being the less than well received Fire Warrior back in 2003. Instead, the title will be an action role-playing game experience and focus on controlling individual units in a narrative-driven story campaign, as well as in online multiplayer.

[UPDATE] Though the video promised a third-person action combat game" focused on "an up-close personal melee experience," Relic's Space Marine is an entirely different animal. "That was a pre-production video of a completely different game from a different internal studio," a company rep said. "The game Relic is working on is a totally new project built on a new engine."

THQ hasn't announced a ship date for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine, but THQ is set to reveal more at the forthcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo next week.

THQ also announced two more games today, both based upon US TV shows. Marvel Super Hero Squad ties in with the fall launch of The Super Hero Squad Show on the Cartoon Network. The title sees players take on the role of their preferred superhero as they face up against Dr. Doom's legion of villains in no less than six single-player campaigns and an online multiplayer battle mode. The game will feature 20 Marvel characters, including Captain American, Iron Man, and Wolverine, action adventure gameplay, and an animation style that "will appeal to a younger audience." THQ gave no release date for the title but did say it would be coming to the Wii, DS, PS2, and PSP.

Finally, THQ is getting into the fitness game with The Biggest Loser, which is coming to the DS and Wii. Based upon the NBC show, the game will see trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels provide comprehensive workouts and nutrition goals. Players will take part in four, eight, or 12-week fitness regimens, which include upper, lower, and core body exercises, as well as cardio and yoga. The game also features 50 recipes from BiggestLoserClub.com , which can be used in conjunction with an interactive calorie counter to help users work toward their fitness goals. The game is due for release this autumn.