For fans of the Warhammer 40,000 franchise, Space Marine 2 is more than just a sequel; it’s a celebration of one of the most iconic chapters in the 40k lore, the Ultramarines. As someone who spends a significant amount of time exploring various online multiplayer titles and action-packed campaigns, Space Marine 2 instantly caught my attention as a game that combines brutal combat, strategic gameplay, and a world steeped in lore.
For the uninitiated, Warhammer 40k is a tabletop miniature game from Games Workshop, set in a dystopian future where humanity is at constant war with aliens, demons, and traitors. It’s a grim, war-torn universe that has spawned countless novels, video games, and animated films. The first Space Marine game was released in 2011 and quickly gained a loyal following, thanks to its mix of fast-paced action and faithful adaptation of the 40k universe. Now, over a decade later, Space Marine 2 arrives to take the series to new heights.
Here’s my full, honest review, spanning every corner of this spectacular sequel.
A Legacy of War – Setting the Stage for Captain Titus
In Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, we once again step into the power armor of Captain Titus, a veteran Ultramarine who has been reinstated after the events of the first game. In the grimdark future, there is only war, and Captain Titus finds himself facing one of the Imperium’s greatest enemies: the Tyranids.
Tyranids are a ravenous, hive-mind alien species that travel across the galaxy, consuming all life in their path. They’re not simply another “bad guy” faction but an existential threat to every species, making them the perfect villains for a Space Marine game. Their sheer number and relentless pursuit to overrun their prey add to the tension of each encounter.
The game does a fantastic job of building up the threat these creatures pose. From the very first mission, you feel the overwhelming power of the swarm. The Tyranids come at you in waves, climbing walls, swarming over the battlefield, and never giving you a moment’s respite. The sense of scale and destruction is enormous, and the constant pressure makes you feel like you’re in the middle of a massive warzone—a feeling that’s key to the Warhammer 40k experience.
Character Development and Storytelling
One of the standout elements of Space Marine 2 is the evolution of Captain Titus. In the first game, Titus was stoic, a veteran of countless battles, but somewhat distant. In the sequel, there’s a deeper exploration of his character, particularly his struggle with the consequences of his previous actions. He was once investigated by the Inquisition for possible corruption, and although he was cleared of charges, that shadow still looms over him.
The game takes a more personal approach to storytelling this time around. While the first game focused on saving an Imperial Forge World from Orks and Chaos forces, Space Marine 2 dives into Titus’s internal conflicts and how they shape him as a leader. His interactions with his fellow Space Marines, as well as new characters introduced in the game, add layers to the narrative.
There’s also a larger focus on the camaraderie between the Ultramarines. You feel a sense of brotherhood with your fellow soldiers, something that was touched on in the original but is fully realized in Space Marine 2. Titus is not just a lone warrior; he is part of a squad, and that bond comes through in the dialogue and team-based missions. This adds emotional depth to the game and makes the inevitable losses and sacrifices more impactful.
Combat Evolution: More Than Just Chainswords
Combat in Space Marine 2 is a visceral, heart-pounding experience that improves upon the original in almost every way. One of the hallmarks of the Space Marine franchise is its seamless blend of ranged and melee combat, and this sequel cranks it up a notch. As a Space Marine, you wield iconic weapons like the Bolter, Chainsword, and Thunder Hammer—tools of destruction that feel as mighty as their lore suggests.
Weapon Variety and Customization
The developers have clearly taken time to expand the arsenal at your disposal. While the original Space Marine featured a solid selection of weapons, Space Marine 2 pushes it further with an even more diverse range of tools for destruction. The game offers both traditional and experimental weapons from the Warhammer 40k universe, ensuring that every combat style is catered to. From the long-range Lascannons to devastating power fists, every weapon feels unique and has a distinct tactical purpose.
One of the features I found most exciting was the weapon customization system. You’re able to modify your gear to better suit your playstyle. Want a Bolter with increased rate of fire or armor-piercing rounds? No problem. Prefer a Chainsword that gives you faster attack speed and greater damage in melee combat? You can build it. This level of customization is a welcome addition, and it adds a layer of strategy to the combat that rewards experimentation.
Combat Flow – Balancing Ranged and Melee
The heart of the combat is the fluid transition between ranged and melee attacks. As Captain Titus, you don’t hide behind cover for long periods of time. You charge into the fray, cutting down foes in close-quarters combat before seamlessly switching to your Bolter to take down distant threats. This rhythm of constantly moving, switching between weapons, and executing enemies keeps the combat fresh and exhilarating throughout the campaign.
One of my favorite additions to the melee system is the improved execution animations. There’s something deeply satisfying about finishing off a Tyranid with a brutal execution, watching Captain Titus rip apart his enemies with brutal precision. The executions serve a dual purpose: they’re not only visually satisfying but also replenish your health, encouraging you to stay aggressive in combat. This mechanic keeps you from playing defensively and rewards an up-close-and-personal combat style, which aligns perfectly with the Ultramarine ethos.
New Features: Vehicles and Environmental Combat
In addition to expanding the core combat mechanics, Space Marine 2 introduces new gameplay elements that elevate the experience. One of the biggest additions is the inclusion of vehicles. For the first time in the series, you can pilot iconic Warhammer 40k vehicles, such as the Rhino and the Dreadnought. These moments are not just set pieces but fully integrated into the gameplay, allowing for large-scale battles where you can wreak havoc on enemies from within an armored vehicle.
Environmental Hazards and Interactive Elements
The game also makes better use of the environment as a tool in combat. Certain areas of the battlefield can be manipulated to your advantage. For example, you can shoot down explosive barrels or cause structures to collapse on top of swarming enemies. These environmental hazards add a strategic layer to battles, forcing you to think about how you can best use the environment to survive overwhelming odds.
In addition to using the environment, Space Marine 2 introduces verticality into its level design. There are sections where you can leap onto higher platforms, use jump packs to traverse the battlefield quickly, or gain a tactical advantage over enemies below. The increased mobility feels natural for a Space Marine, and it keeps the combat dynamic, preventing any encounter from feeling repetitive.
Tactical Layer: Squad Commands and Strategy
While Space Marine 2 retains its fast-paced action, it also introduces a tactical element through squad commands. In certain missions, you’re given control over a small squad of Space Marines. While the AI handles most of their actions, you can issue basic commands like ordering them to focus fire on a target or hold a position. This isn’t as deep as a full strategy game, but it adds an extra layer of decision-making, particularly during more challenging battles.
Balancing Difficulty
The difficulty curve in Space Marine 2 is something that deserves special mention. On lower difficulties, the game is accessible to players who are more interested in the story and spectacle than the challenge. However, if you’re a veteran of the original Space Marine or other action games, higher difficulties offer a significant challenge. The Tyranid hordes become even more relentless, and the game forces you to use every tool in your arsenal to survive.
One of the things I appreciated most about the higher difficulties is how they encourage strategic thinking. You can’t simply rush in, guns blazing, and expect to win. You need to manage your health, ammo, and abilities carefully, and the use of executions to restore health becomes essential. This creates a tense, high-risk, high-reward combat system that keeps you constantly engaged.
Multiplayer Experience: Cooperation in Chaos
While the single-player campaign is a highlight, Space Marine 2 also excels in its multiplayer offerings. The co-op multiplayer mode is where the game truly shines as a community experience. Much like other multiplayer-focused titles, such as Destiny 2, teamwork is crucial for success. The game features a co-op mode where you and up to three friends (or random players) can team up to face waves of Tyranids in a survival mode.
The multiplayer in Space Marine 2 is a test of endurance, communication, and strategy. Unlike the single-player campaign, where you can rely on your own skills, multiplayer requires you to work closely with your team to survive. Each player has a specific role to play—whether it’s providing cover fire, tanking damage, or supporting the team with heavy weapons.
Customization and Progression
What makes multiplayer even more engaging is the progression system. You can customize your Space Marine’s loadout, appearance, and abilities to fit your preferred playstyle. As you complete missions and survive increasingly difficult waves of enemies, you unlock new gear and cosmetics that allow you to further personalize your character. This progression system gives multiplayer a strong sense of replayability, as you’re always working towards unlocking new upgrades and improving your skills.
Lore and World-Building: Warhammer 40k in All Its Glory
For long-time fans of the Warhammer 40k universe, Space Marine 2 is a treasure trove of lore and references. The game doesn’t just exist in the 40k universe—it fully embraces it. From the massive gothic architecture of the Imperium’s cities to the intricate designs of the Space Marine armor, every detail is dripping with the atmosphere of the Warhammer universe.
The game also expands on the lore in meaningful ways. There are moments in the campaign where you can discover hidden lore drops, such as dataslates and vox recordings, that provide additional context for the events unfolding around you. These collectibles aren’t just flavor text—they help flesh out the world and give you a deeper understanding of the grim future humanity faces.
As a long-time fan of the Warhammer 40k tabletop game, I found these lore drops incredibly rewarding. They tie into the larger 40k narrative in meaningful ways, referencing famous battles, characters, and events from the broader universe. For players who might be unfamiliar with Warhammer 40k, these lore drops serve as an introduction to the rich history of the setting, making the game more accessible to newcomers.
Audio and Music: Immersive Soundscapes
No review of Space Marine 2 would be complete without discussing the sound design. From the roar of Bolter fire to the deafening explosion of plasma weapons, the audio in this game is top-tier. Every sound is designed to make you feel the immense power of the weapons at your disposal. When you’re in the thick of battle, the sounds of chainswords revving, Tyranids screeching, and explosions echoing around you create an incredibly immersive atmosphere.
The voice acting is also worth noting. Captain Titus is voiced with a sense of gravitas and authority that makes him feel like a true leader. The voice work across the board is excellent, with each character fitting the grim tone of the Warhammer universe.
The music, composed by Space Marine veteran Cris Velasco, perfectly captures the epic, militaristic tone of the game. The score swells during large-scale battles, creating a sense of urgency and danger. During quieter moments, the music shifts to a more somber, reflective tone, reinforcing the bleakness of the universe.
Technical Performance and Graphics
On a technical level, Space Marine 2 runs smoothly, even during the most chaotic battles. On my playthrough, I encountered very few frame rate drops, and the game was optimized to handle the sheer number of enemies on screen at any given time. The visual fidelity is impressive, with detailed textures, fluid animations, and realistic lighting effects that bring the world to life.
That said, like any modern game, there are a few minor technical hiccups. I encountered occasional clipping issues, where enemies would get stuck in the environment, and there were a few moments where the AI didn’t react as intelligently as I would have liked. However, these issues were rare and didn’t detract significantly from the overall experience.
Comparison with Other Games
In the crowded space of action games, Space Marine 2 stands out for several reasons, but it also invites comparison to other titles. Games like Gears of War and God of War are often cited as benchmarks for third-person action games, and Space Marine 2 holds its own among these heavyweights.
Comparison to Gears of War
Gears of War is perhaps the closest comparison in terms of gameplay. Both games feature hulking, armored protagonists who fight against overwhelming alien forces. However, while Gears leans more heavily into cover-based shooting, Space Marine 2 encourages a more aggressive playstyle. In Space Marine 2, you’re constantly pushing forward, charging into the enemy lines, rather than hiding behind cover and waiting for opportunities. This makes the combat in Space Marine 2 feel faster-paced and more intense.
Additionally, Space Marine 2 differentiates itself through its deep connection to the Warhammer 40k universe. The lore, aesthetic, and overall atmosphere are unique to Space Marine 2, giving it an identity that sets it apart from Gears of War and other action games.
Comparison to God of War
When compared to God of War, particularly the 2018 reboot, Space Marine 2 takes a more traditional approach to action. God of War introduced a more methodical, narrative-driven combat system that focused on tight, personal encounters. In contrast, Space Marine 2 is all about large-scale warfare, with dozens of enemies on-screen at once and a faster pace. While God of War prioritizes character development and personal storytelling, Space Marine 2 puts the focus squarely on the spectacle of battle and the larger-than-life stakes of the Warhammer universe.
Replayability and Long-Term Appeal
One of the key factors that will keep players coming back to Space Marine 2 is its replayability. The campaign, while linear in structure, offers multiple difficulty levels and encourages experimentation with different weapons and strategies. The inclusion of collectibles and lore drops adds a layer of exploration for completionists, and the sheer variety of combat encounters makes each playthrough feel fresh.
Additionally, the multiplayer mode is designed for long-term engagement. With regular updates, new content, and challenges, Space Marine 2 has the potential to build a dedicated online community. As someone who enjoys competitive multiplayer experiences, I found myself sinking countless hours into the co-op mode, trying to improve my performance and climb the leaderboards.
Final Verdict
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a triumph for both fans of the original game and newcomers to the Warhammer 40k universe. Its visceral combat, deep lore, and stunning visuals combine to create an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a fan of fast-paced action, cooperative multiplayer, or rich narrative storytelling, Space Marine 2 has something for everyone.
For long-time fans of the Warhammer 40k universe, the game is a faithful adaptation of the source material, delivering on the epic scale and grim atmosphere that defines the setting. For newcomers, the game offers a thrilling introduction to one of the most beloved sci-fi franchises of all time.
While there are a few minor technical issues and a steep learning curve, these are far outweighed by the game’s strengths. Space Marine 2 is not just a great sequel—it’s one of the best third-person action games in recent memory. Whether you’re fighting for the Emperor or simply looking for an adrenaline-pumping action game, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a must-play.
