THQ unveiled a shiny new trailer at this year's E3 for its upcoming third person RPG shooter based in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. And THQ Executive VP of core games Danny Bilson made it crystal clear the publisher thinks very highly of Space Marine, describing it as a "Gears of War killer."

The expansive, 23-year-old Warhammer 40,000 universe has remained firmly in the tabletop and RTS realms. With Space Marine, Bilson said THQ will finally bring that universe to all gamers.

"This is what I like to call our Gears of War killer," Bilson said. "I think it's absolutely phenomenal. I know all the different levels and how it works, how much variety there is and how unbelievable the art and depth of the experience is."


THQ did not have a full build reveal of the game on hand at E3, but based on the fairly lengthy debut trailer, it appears to feature the cover and shooting mechanics made popular by Gears.

A rundown from THQ:
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine takes place in the brutal, science fiction setting of Games Workshop's Warhammer 40,000 universe. In the 41st Millennium, humanity faces extinction at the hands of horrific aliens and demonic hordes. Only one force offers salvation, the superhuman Space Marines. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine is an intense Action-RPG featuring epic battles where players take direct control of the ultimate defender of humanity, the mighty Space Marine.
THQ's Relic Entertainment is developing Space Marine for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. A full build and additional details are expected to be revealed at Gamescom in August.





Sharkey says: Bilson is never one to hold back, but even that is a bit extreme considering the overwhelming success of the Gears franchise. The early trailer does look promising, though.