Games Workshop campaign books

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I’ve recently completed my collection of Forge World books over the holidays, and I just finished reading through The Anphelion Project. It made me reflect on how much the newer campaign books seem to lack the quality of design and writing compared to the older Forge World releases. Back then, FW put real effort into crafting narratives that didn’t cling to the status quo at all costs. The Imperium felt believable, with in‑game reports, detailed descriptions of forces arrayed during campaigns, and beautifully rendered satellite maps. Each force described was inspiring, sparking ideas to create new armies, while the artwork offered detailed depictions of warriors that fueled creativity.

 

I’ve read most of the newer books, including the first Vigilus campaign released for 8th edition. Honestly, many of them feel uninspired—plain, even rushed. They contain very little artwork, often reused, and the overall design has little flair. The maps are borderline unreadable, usually just square bastions and roads, or continents with blobs of color representing faction control. Much of the content feels like walls of text with datasheets for detachments, which seems to be the main reason people buy them.

 

With the release of 500 Worlds, I really hope GW changes this trend. Smaller stories could help build stronger narratives—introducing lesser‑known Ultramarine chapters within Ultramar and its sector, new characters, and fresh details that ground the story in the 40k universe. Don’t just throw in all the famous characters we know won’t die. Create new heroes that players can root for, celebrate when they triumph, or mourn when they fall. Start small: describe a warzone, a sector, or a campaign in detail, building up the setting and participants. Then escalate to the big battles, where the puzzle pieces come together and the iconic characters can enter the fray.

 

Rumors suggest we’re heading back to Armageddon with Yarrick returning, but didn’t we just have an Armageddon campaign about six months ago? Angron came back and was banished within the span of the Crusade books. It feels like GW is recycling “greatest hits” without a clear direction. The Tyrannic War fizzled out, Pariah Nexus went nowhere, and the Vigilus storyline dragged on before fading away.

 

I’m curious what others think of the recent campaign books. Do people still buy them? Do you enjoy reading through them? Have you explored the older Forge World books? And what are you hoping for in the next campaign release?

[mini_painting_mike]

To be honest, despite being involved in the hobby for many years I've never bought a campaign book. But that may be down to marketing because your description of the old books has explained more clesrky what they're about than GW ever did

[calgar101]

There was always a difference between IA volumes that FW produced versus GW books; master crafted v mass produced so to speak. Unfortunately we will never get those days back now.

Aside from the original Horus Heresy black books, Imperial Armour Badab is my go to books and are awesome, I echo what you're saying.

I think there has been some quality improvements in newer books and now it is nice to see that some stuff is getting limelight again.

The 500 worlds could have some great potential but unfortunately the hobby is very much corporate driven now and less passion.