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Thirteen years after donning the power armor of an Adeptus Astartes in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine, fans finally return to the grimdark future in Space Marine 2. Developed by Saber Interactive, this sequel promises a visceral and exhilarating experience, building upon the foundation laid by Relic Entertainment’s original. Does it live up to the legacy, or fall short of the Emperor’s grace?

A Symphony of Destruction

Despite a challenging development cycle and a leaked early build, Space Marine 2 delivers on its promise of brutal action. From the moment you launch into the first mission, the game immerses you in the chaotic beauty of the 41st millennium. Powered by the Swarm Engine, previously used in World War Z, the game renders hordes of Tyranids with breathtaking fidelity. Tens of thousands of enemies swarm the screen, amidst a maelstrom of explosions, gunfire, and chainsword carnage.

Tyranid Swarm

The level of detail in both character models and environments is stunning. From the intricate designs of the Space Marine armor, scarred and battered by relentless combat, to the sprawling cityscape of Avarax, engulfed in flames and overrun by the Tyranid horde, the visuals are nothing short of spectacular. The game even manages to perform remarkably well, maintaining a smooth framerate even during the most intense battles. A moderately powerful PC with an RTX 3060 Ti or AMD 6700XT can easily handle high settings at 1080p, while 4K HDR demands a more robust setup with an RTX 4070 or 7800XT.

Battle on Avarax

It’s important to note that Space Marine 2‘s story is not considered canon within the established Warhammer 40,000 lore. It exists as a compelling “what if” scenario, expanding upon the universe without impacting the core narrative established by Games Workshop.

Unleashing the Fury of the Astartes

Space Marine 2 truly captures the feeling of embodying a superhuman warrior. Every stomp of your armored boots, every swing of your chainsword, and every thunderous impact of your thunder hammer resonates with power. The game’s combat is visceral and impactful, encouraging aggressive play.

Space Marine in Action

Executing brutal finishing moves replenishes both health and armor, keeping you in the thick of the fight. The diverse arsenal of melee and ranged weapons allows for a variety of playstyles, from close-quarters carnage to tactical ranged engagements. Enemies are numerous and aggressive, requiring both skillful melee combat and strategic use of cover and ranged weaponry. The parry and dodge mechanics add depth to the combat, demanding precise timing and awareness of enemy attack patterns.

Combat Scene

Beyond the roughly 10-hour campaign, Space Marine 2 offers additional content in the form of Operations and Eternal War modes. Operations mode allows players to team up cooperatively in challenging missions, reminiscent of Left 4 Dead. These missions provide a testing ground for the game’s surprisingly deep RPG elements, allowing players to customize their Space Marines with a variety of weapons, armor, and equipment.

Cooperative Gameplay

Eternal War offers 6v6 online multiplayer battles with three distinct game modes: Annihilation, Sieze Ground, and Capture and Control. While not groundbreaking, these modes provide a competitive outlet for players looking to test their skills against others.

Multiplayer Action

Room for Improvement

While Space Marine 2 delivers a thrilling experience, it falls short in a few areas. The soundtrack, while decent, fails to consistently enhance the emotional impact of key moments. The sound design, while impactful, can feel muddy and overwhelming at times, making it difficult to distinguish individual sounds in the midst of battle. The unconventional controller layout can also be frustrating, requiring significant adjustment. Finally, the story, while serviceable, lacks the depth and complexity one might expect from a Warhammer 40,000 title.

Space Marine Close-up

Conclusion

Despite its flaws, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a worthy successor to the original. It delivers on the promise of brutal, visceral combat and stunning visuals, capturing the essence of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. While the story and sound design could be improved, the core gameplay loop is incredibly satisfying, making it a must-play for fans of the franchise and action game enthusiasts alike.