Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Review: Get it for the gore of the gunplay and melee combat

Pros
- Cooperative gameplay is fun
- Borrows from a rich lore
- Stunning visuals
- Awesome sound design
- Users can bring in a lot of variety in gameplay

Cons
- Missions can feel repetitive because of structure
- Linear level designs
- Parry system can get tricky at times
- Long rage mode cooldown

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, the long-awaited sequel to the 2011 original, has finally arrived, bringing with it a fresh wave of galactic mayhem. Players once again step into the colossal boots of Lieutenant Titus, the Ultramarine who, after a century-long hiatus, returns to the battlefield to face the relentless Tyranid hordes. While the first game introduced us to the brutal world of Warhammer 40K, this sequel amplifies the experience with enhanced graphics, refined combat mechanics, and a deeper dive into the grimdark universe.

Unlike its predecessor, Space Marine 2 places a stronger emphasis on cooperative gameplay, allowing up to three players to join forces against the alien menace. The environments are more expansive, the enemy swarms larger, and the action more intense, providing both veterans and newcomers to go all-out bonkers in carnage. The narrative picks up where the original left off, but with a century’s worth of lore progression, offering a rich tapestry for fans to unravel.

In this review, we’ll delve into the game’s various aspects, from its gameplay and mechanics to its thematic depth and overall presentation, to determine whether Space Marine 2 stands as a worthy successor in this storied franchise.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Review: Campaign and the different modes

In Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, players step back into the boots of Lieutenant Titus, now a seasoned Primaris Lieutenant of the Ultramarines. The campaign centres around Titus leading his squad in a desperate battle against the Tyranids, a relentless alien threat endangering the Imperium of Man. The story explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and the relentless struggle for humanity’s survival in the dark and brutal 41st millennium.

The campaign’s length varies depending on how you approach it. On average, you’re looking at around 8 to 10 hours of gameplay on standard settings. If you’re the type to explore every corner and hunt for collectibles, or if you crank up the difficulty, you could spend closer to 12 hours. On the flip side, playing on an easier difficulty might see you wrapping things up in about 6 to 8 hours.

This puts Space Marine 2 in line with other modern third-person shooters, offering a solid and engaging single-player experience. Plus, there’s a co-op multiplayer mode that adds a lot of replay value, giving you more reasons to dive back in after finishing the main campaign.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 isn’t just about its gripping campaign; it also boasts a variety of game modes that extend the action-packed experience well beyond the story. One of the standout features is the Operations mode, a cooperative player-versus-environment (PvE) experience.

Here, you can team up with two friends or tackle missions solo, battling endless waves of Tyranids across six unique maps. This mode offers high replay value, with each mission presenting fresh challenges. Progressing through Operations lets players earn experience and in-game currency to upgrade their abilities and gear, making each subsequent run more rewarding.

For those who thrive on competition, the game also features the Eternal War mode, a player-versus-player (PvP) multiplayer experience. This mode includes three classic formats: Annihilation, Seize Ground, and Capture & Control. In Annihilation, teams race to score 50 points by taking down opponents, while Seize Ground involves capturing and holding strategic points on the map to accumulate points over time. Capture & Control adds a layer of strategy, requiring teams to secure and defend specific objectives. Each mode encourages different tactics and playstyles, keeping the multiplayer experience dynamic and engaging.

Whether you prefer teaming up against AI or testing your skills against other players, Space Marine 2 offers a range of modes to keep you hooked. With its mix of cooperative and competitive gameplay, there’s plenty to dive into, ensuring hours of thrilling action in the grimdark universe of Warhammer 40,000.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Review: Gameplay & Mechanics

The gameplay in Space Marine 2 is both familiar and refreshingly new. At its core, it’s a third-person shooter that seamlessly blends gunplay and melee combat, which is a hallmark of the series. The game offers an arsenal of weapons, from the iconic bolter to the devastating chainsword, each with its unique feel and tactical use. Switching between these weapons is fluid, allowing players to adapt to different combat scenarios on the fly.

One of the standout features is the health-regeneration mechanic. Unlike traditional shooters where you find health packs, Space Marine 2 encourages aggressive play by rewarding health regeneration through combat. This mechanic pushes players to stay engaged in the thick of battle rather than taking cover, which aligns well with the lore of the Ultramarines—stoic warriors who charge headlong into danger.

However, some players might find certain missions repetitive, as the structure often revolves around clearing waves of enemies or holding positions. Additionally, the game’s linear level design might not appeal to those who prefer open-world exploration. Despite these potential downsides, the core gameplay loop of intense battles and satisfying combat mechanics keeps the experience engaging.

Space Marine 2 introduces several new mechanics that deepen the gameplay experience. One of the most significant additions is the parry system. This allows players to counter enemy attacks, adding a layer of skill and timing to melee combat. Successfully parrying an enemy not only leaves them vulnerable but also feels incredibly rewarding, especially during the more chaotic battles.

The game also features a “rage” mode, which provides temporary boosts to damage and speed. This mechanic is a double-edged sword; while it can turn the tide of battle in your favour, its lengthy cooldown period means players must use it strategically rather than relying on it as a crutch.

Another exciting feature is the jetpack, which is available in select missions. This tool enhances mobility, allowing players to traverse the battlefield quickly and engage enemies from different vantage points. The jetpack sections add variety to the gameplay, breaking up the ground-based combat and providing a sense of verticality.

While these new mechanics add depth, they aren’t without their flaws. Some players have found the parry system to be less responsive in the heat of battle, especially when facing multiple foes. Similarly, the rage mode’s cooldown can feel overly restrictive, limiting its utility in prolonged encounters.

One of the most significant additions to Space Marine 2 is the cooperative gameplay mode. Unlike the first game, which was a solo affair, the sequel allows up to three players to team up and tackle the campaign together. This addition fundamentally changes the game’s dynamics, introducing new strategies and a greater emphasis on teamwork.

Cooperative play adjusts the difficulty and enemy spawns based on the number of players, ensuring a balanced experience. This scaling mechanism keeps the game challenging, whether you’re playing solo or with friends. The co-op mode also introduces unique challenges that require coordination, such as synchronised attacks and shared objectives.

Playing with others adds a social element that enhances the game’s replayability. It’s one thing to face the Tyranid hordes alone, but doing so with friends brings a new level of excitement and camaraderie. However, it’s worth noting that the cooperative mode is most enjoyable when played with friends, as random matchmaking can sometimes result in less coordinated teams.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Review: Theme and Atmosphere

The Warhammer 40K universe is known for its grimdark aesthetic, and Space Marine 2 fully embraces this theme. The game’s environments are richly detailed, capturing the dystopian future where humanity is perpetually at war. From the towering gothic architecture to the battle-scarred landscapes, every aspect of the game world reinforces the bleak and brutal setting.

Sound design plays a crucial role in immersing players in this universe. The heavy thud of power armour, the roar of bolter fire, and the screeches of the Tyranids all contribute to a soundscape that is as intense as the action on screen. The musical score, with its orchestral swells and dramatic tones, further enhances the atmosphere, making every battle feel epic and consequential.

The narrative also delves deeper into the lore, offering a richer story that explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and the unending struggle against the forces of chaos. This thematic depth adds layers to the game, making it more than just a series of battles. It invites players to ponder the larger implications of their actions within this universe, creating a more immersive experience.

Visually, Space Marine 2 is a significant step up from its predecessor. The character models are highly detailed, showcasing the intricate designs of the Space Marines’ armour and the grotesque features of the Tyranids. The environments are expansive and meticulously crafted, bringing the Warhammer universe to life in vivid detail.

However, the game isn’t without its technical issues. Some players have reported frame drops and slow loading times, particularly on older hardware. These performance hiccups can detract from the overall experience, especially during intense combat sequences where smooth performance is crucial. To fully enjoy the game’s visual splendour, it’s advisable to play on a system that meets or exceeds the recommended specifications.

But because we were testing the game on the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16, powered by the massively powerful AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, we faced no issues whatsoever.

Despite these issues, the overall presentation of the game is impressive. The attention to detail in both the character and environment design helps to create an immersive world that feels authentic to the Warhammer 40K universe.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Review: Conclusion

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 successfully builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, offering an experience that is both familiar and refreshingly new. The game’s blend of intense combat, rich lore, and cooperative gameplay creates a compelling package that is sure to satisfy both longtime fans and newcomers to the series.

While the game has its flaws, such as repetitive mission structures and occasional performance issues, these are minor blemishes on an otherwise stellar title. Whether you’re a seasoned Space Marine or a fresh recruit, Space Marine 2 offers plenty of action, strategy, and story to sink your teeth into. It’s a worthy addition to the Warhammer 40K franchise and a must-play for fans of the genre.

For those still on the fence, additional insights and visual examples can be found in various video reviews online, providing a comprehensive look at what this game has to offer. Overall, Space Marine 2 stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of the Warhammer 40K universe, delivering a game that is as brutal as it is beautiful.