Games Workshop has thrilled Warhammer 40,000 fans by reviving the much-anticipated Astartes 2 animation with a stunning teaser trailer. However, there's a twist: none of the content shown in the teaser will actually appear in the final animation.
Astartes 2 is the sequel to the fan-made Astartes animation, originally crafted by Syama Pedersen. Widely regarded as the pinnacle of Warhammer 40,000 animations, it outshines even official works, with only Amazon's recent Space Marine 2 animation from the Secret Level anthology series coming close. The original Astartes was so impactful that it inspired Saber Interactive's successful Space Marine 2 game, leading Games Workshop to bring Syama on board to work on the sequel.
After years of silence, leaving fans to speculate if Astartes 2 had been quietly shelved, Games Workshop surprised everyone on January 29, 2025, with the release of the teaser trailer. This trailer has been a visual treat for Warhammer 40,000 enthusiasts, showcasing an unprecedented scale of animation quality. It features intense melee and shooting combat, vehicle battles, and even spaceship engagements, with various Space Marine chapters fighting across diverse landscapes against multiple enemy factions, including Tyranids, Orks, and Tau.
It's not even February yet and the Ws for 2025 won't stop coming! Astartes is back, Brothers! pic.twitter.com/sYhu5LjwiC
— Champions of the Ice (@ChampionsOTIce2) January 29, 2025
Despite the excitement, a post on the Warhammer Community website clarified that the teaser is not a preview of the new animation. Instead, it's a montage of scenes representing the past lives of characters who will appear in the show. The post hints at the story's direction, encouraging fans to piece together the clues themselves.
While the teaser is undeniably impressive, it's important to note that it doesn't reflect the content of Astartes 2. The absence of a disclaimer on the trailer might lead to confusion among fans who expect to see the showcased elements in the final product. The Warhammer Community post might not reach all viewers, potentially setting up unrealistic expectations.
As a fan, it's hard not to get excited and start theorizing about the teaser's implications. The final image suggests that the characters might end up in an Inquisition-led Deathwatch Terminator squad, but that's the extent of what can be deduced so far.
Meanwhile, fans of Space Marine 2 have expressed envy over the Astartes 2 teaser, hoping some elements, like the capes, might find their way into the game. With Saber Interactive continuing to update Space Marine 2, there's a possibility they might draw inspiration from Astartes once again.
