THQ has announced that Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command will make its handheld debut on the PSP and DS this autumn. This turn-based strategy game will feature an original single player campaign as well as multiplayer support.

As elite Space Marines of the Ultramarines chapter, players must attempt to combat the ruthless and daemonic influenced Chaos Space Marines in 13 missions in the single player campaign. Players will have access to more than 20 ranged and close combat weapons including the Bolter, Plasma Gun, Chainsword and Power Fist, all taken directly from the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

Multiplayer madness

The game also features a multiplayer mode where players can go head-to-head with players either locally or worldwide in nine unique multiplayer maps. According to THQ it will “fully utilise all the portable functionality of the PSP and the Nintendo DS, including the dual-screen and stylus.” Replayability is ensured because players can elect to battle as the Imperium of Man or Chaos Space Marines. Players can choose from two Space Marine chapters or two Chaos Space Marine Legions to play as in multiplayer games in battles between Imperium vs Imperium, Forces of Chaos vs Forces of Chaos or Imperium vs Forces of Chaos. No two games will ever be the same thanks to fully destructible, real time 3D battlefields. The multiplayer mode includes small, medium and large maps that will cater for games from two to eight players.

“Bringing the Warhammer 40,000 universe to handheld systems creates exciting new game play options for fans across the globe,” says THQ’s Bob Aniello. “An all-new single-player storyline and the ability to battle head-to-head with anyone in the world make this an exciting addition to the Warhammer 40,000 library.”