THQ has announced Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command for DS and PSP - the first time the series has appeared on either machine - and it's looking like a surprisingly explosive game. It may be a turn-based strategy affair at heart, but any fears of limp combat look to have been laid to rest by the first screenshots.

The game will feature online network play on both handhelds when it arrives this autumn and publisher THQ assures us the most has been made of both consoles' respective strengths. We're guessing that means smooth 3D on PSP and touch screen control for DS.

Above: The explosion (top right) throws Chaos Marines like ragdolls, leaving bodies and charred earth (bottom left) in its wake. We like

The shots look like PSP screens to us, so we'll get hold of some DS screens as soon as we can. With the promise of a brand new single-player story and a multiplayer mode with an already established playing system in place, this might just be a hit - and not only with Warhammer's existing fanbase.

June 19, 2007