Best of E3 06: PC

Warhammer: Mark of Chaos

Publisher: Namco Bandai
Developer: Black Hole Entertainment
Release Date: Halloween 2006

Besides the up-and-coming massively multiplayer Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, fans ofthis tabletop gamewill beblessed with two real-time strategyofferingsthis year. We've had to choose the best RTS game based upon the Warhammer universe, though, and Relic's amazing Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War RTS expansion pack, Dark Crusade, has been edged out by a nose. The beautiful-from-a-distance, blood-soaked Warhammer: Mark of Chaos blew us away. This one takes all the tactical complexity of the incredibly deep Total War series and wraps it in such a splendorous package that TW looks empty and sterile by comparison.

Mark of Chaos truly looks like it has captured the heart and soul of its tabletop roots, and nothing gets lost in translation. Champions (the really burly brutes that lead your armies) have received special treatment and get some very unique skills. Even "figurine painting" is translated from the tabletop experience: you'll be able to customize colors and body parts, and take them online to show off your brutal army.

Mark of Chaos is due out this Halloween. Trick or treat.

Until then, read up on Mark of Chaos here, or check out E3's best games on other systemshere.