Space Hulk is a strategy game based on the 1989 board game of the same name, set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. The game aims for an exact conversion of the original Sins of Damnation campaign. There is no plot and the campaign consists of twelve not interconnected missions plus three tutorials, where a Space Marine squad fights against aliens.
Combat is turn-based: in each round, every marine has four action points which can be used for actions like moving, attacking or turning (the viewing direction is important for combat). The player also has a few general action points for any soldier. Different types of soldiers have different weaponry with their own advantages and disadvantages. The aliens, which come in two flavors: Genestealers and Broodlords, are melee-based. The result of fights relies on dice rolls, making them deadly for one combatant.
Another element from the original game is "blips": waves that show the location of aliens, but not their quantity or type. This adds to the tension and challenge of the game. Overall, Space Hulk offers a challenging and strategic gameplay experience.