Genetically-enhanced and comedically gruff future soldiers invade next-gen consoles with the launch of Warhammer: Space Marine on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Space Marine follows the wantonly brutal and particularly bloody exploits of a single grunt within a Space Marine unit, as he battles the various bad guys of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Franchise diehards will know who/what to expect, with hordes of angry Orks, Tyranids and others equally unsavoury lining up in the gunsights. Little plastic soldiers and scarily enthusiastic Games Workshop staff are not part of the action, thankfully.

Space Marine, unlike its brilliant PC predecessor, Dawn of War II, adopts a Gears II-style third-person perspective, giving players a more visceral sense of being in the very thick of the relentless melee. Developers Relic Entertainment describe the game as an action RPG, with all the statistical upgrades, pick-ups and character customisation options entailed therein - emphasis is very firmly on the action elements, though. An online multiplayer component is apparently on the cards too, but specific details are non-existent at present.

THQ is taking care of the publishing business and may well be showing the game at E3. However, we’re informed that Warhammer: Space Marine won’t be out this year. Bah!