Space Hulk: Deathwing just got a big new update

Space Hulk: Deathwing came out in December 2016 and while I enjoyed it, it was pretty rough around the edges, with a number of technical issues and a lack of variation hindering what was on the whole a solid effort at bringing the Space Hulk tabletop to life in video game form.

The developer Streum On Studio has since then released a number of updates for the game, but the most recent is by far the most substantial. It adds new weapons, expanded class loadouts and makes a raft of technical improvements.

Let's dig into the detail. Co-op multiplayer now has the Heavy Flamer weapon and the Hellfire's explosive rounds, which should help make tearing apart the Genestealers a more enjoyable experience.

There are also faster load times and performance improvements, with Genestealer AI enhanced (the AI had felt a tad basic in the game, with not much variation to enemy strategy).

"Our first priority after the release was to fix the most urgent technical issues," the developer said in a post on the Space Hulk: Deathwing Steam page. "That's why the main changes of this patch are technical fixes - we updated the graphical engine and rebuilt all the levels."

Here is a short list of features and improvements of the update:

• More weapons in Multiplayer - this includes the addition of the Heavy Flamer and Hellfire.
• Expanded class loadouts in Multiplayer - each class has more choice of what to bring into battle!
• Improved multiplayer load times - simultaneous loading time for all players.
• Performance improvements.
• Loading time improvements.
• General stability improvements.
• Multiplayer experience improvements.
• Improved Anti-Aliasing options.
• Hardware-related issues Fixes (on AMD GC).

There's still a long way to go for Space Hulk: Deathwing. I would like to see some more weapons added to single-player and perhaps better loot to arm your AI Terminators with. Streum On Studio said it'll now focus on improving gameplay and content based on feedback since launch - "replay value and multiplayer long term progression are our main priorities". Fingers crossed!

Space Hulk: Deathwing is due out on consoles later this year as an enhanced edition that includes additional gubbins. This will be give to PC players for free in an update.