Space Marine 2 Reaches 134,000 Players

If you like epic space battles, destruction-hungry aliens, and giant marines with weapons that make any tank look like a child with a slingshot, then Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 is the game you didn't know you needed. And look, the public is already more than on board this ship, with more than 134 thousand simultaneous players in the first few hours of early access.

Released on September 5th for those who secured the Deluxe and Ultimate editions, Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 is already exploding on the Steam charts. People wasted no time and the game reached more than 134,302 simultaneous playersmaking it one of the biggest releases of 2024 so far. And that's just the beginning, as the global launch for all players doesn't happen until September 9th.

With this impressive mark, Space Marine 2 has already secured the 2nd place among the games in the Warhammer franchise with the highest peak number of simultaneous playerssecond only to Total War: Warhammer III. That's like saying the new Batman movie broke all box office records before it even hit theaters! Yeah, my friend, the dark future of the 41st millennium has never been brighter for fans of gunfire, blood and carnage.

Hot Review, But With Some Pinpricks

As expected, Space Marine 2 has been receiving good reviews from critics. Metacritiche already has an average of 82 to 83depending on the platform. The graphics are stunning, the combat is visceral, and the faithful reproduction of the universe of Warhammer 40K is jaw-dropping. But it's not all roses. Some critics have pointed out that the mission design and narrative could be better, with some reviews, such as PC Gamerpointing out the action as “messy” and giving it a score of 6/10.

Still, most players seem to be loving the chaos. The game's rating on Steam It started off a little sour with 54% positive reviews, but quickly rose to 75%earning the “Mostly Positive” seal. Sure, there are complaints about the need to sign Epic Games’ EULA and the lack of support for ultrawide monitors, but nothing that a future update can’t fix.

The Gameplay: Blood, Chains and Aliens

And of course, the game doesn't leave you alone on this suicide mission. Space Marine 2 has a co-op system, allowing up to three friends enter the battle alongside you, in a “drop-in/drop-out” dynamic that is simple and fun. It's like a Left 4 Deadbut with disgusting aliens instead of zombies and with an arsenal that would make any character Gears of War feel like an amateur.

Why All This Success?

It's no surprise that Space Marine 2 is doing so well. The franchise Warhammer 40K has a legion of extremely dedicated fans, and the first game, released in 2011, is still fondly remembered. The new version has managed to capture that nostalgia while also adding everything a modern action game needs: cutting-edge graphics, multiplayer, and plenty of free content promised for the coming months.

Furthermore, Interactive Knowledge has done a great job with the customization options. You can customize your armor and weapons, make upgrades, and even unlock perks to suit your playstyle. That is, whether you want to be a long-range war tank or prefer to go all out Chainsword in the face of enemies, the game lets you choose.

The Legacy of Warhammer 40K: Space Marine

The success of Space Marine 2 It's not just about the numbers or the positive reviews, but about how it fits into the long and brutal history of the universe. Warhammer 40K. For those who don't know, this franchise started back in the 80s as a miniatures game and evolved into comics, books, movies and, of course, video games. Space Marine was one of the first games to capture the brutal essence of this universe and Space Marine 2 is here to continue this legacy of destruction and chaos.

So if you're still wondering whether or not you should dive headfirst into the 41st millennium, the answer is simple: Yes! Face the Tyranidsdestroy everything in your path and do it with a smile on your face, because, in the dark future, the only certainty is war.