Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 A Bloody Ode

Hello, warriors of the Imperium! If you're one of those people who enjoys blasting aliens and cutting enemies in half with a chainsaw sword, you can start polishing your armor now. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 arrived with everything, and whoever waited for this sequel for more than a decade (yes, 13 years!) will see that the wait was worth every second!

But before we dive headfirst into this chaotic battle, it's worth remembering that the first Space Marinereleased back in 2011, was a game that was a game changer. It brought a unique blend of hack-n-slash with shooter in third person, and transformed the dystopian military fantasy of the Warhammer 40K universe into a brutal and immersive experience. Now, with the Interactive Knowledge in command and the promise to bring the Adeptus Astartes back, the expectation was at the “it’s all or nothing” level. And guess what? They delivered.

Let's talk about Titus: The Most Badass Captain in the Imperium

The plot of Space Marine 2 picks up the thread of the narrative left off back in 2011, but don't worry, you don't need to have played the first game to understand what's going on. Here, our protagonist, the legendary Captain Titusreturns to the battlefield, and this time he's carrying a heavy burden on his back. Accused of heresy at the end of the first game, Titus spent a long time in the hands of the Deathwatch and a not-so-friendly inquisitor. But the Imperium, with all its “compassion”, decided to give him a new chance: now transformed into a Primarisan even more beefed up version of the Space Marines, he must lead his team against hordes of Tyranids​.

But of course, as with any Warhammer 40K narrative, the point here is more about honor, sacrifice and brotherhood than anything else. Don't expect a philosophical drama like The Last of Us or something like that. The story is straight to the point: Titus has to clean up his act and, in the process, save some planets from an alien invasion. The cliché of “warriors of the Imperium against the rest of the galaxy” is all there, and if you’re a Warhammer fan, you’ll love every second of it.

Insane Combat: Like Gears of War Meets God of War

Now if you played Gears of Waryou'll recognize some similarities. The third-person shooting is robust and frenetic, but unlike Gears, here you won't want to spend too much time hiding behind cover. Instead, the strategy is to go in head-on, slashing, shooting, and running enemies with absurd brutality. It looks like a mix of God of War (the modern era) with Doom Eternal. You will find yourself running towards enemies, parrying their attacks with parries timed and, when the time is right, delivering an execution that will make you question whether you are the hero or the villain of the story.

That Moment of Silence Between the Carnages… Or Almost

While most of your time is spent shooting bullets or slicing up aliens, the game still offers a few breaks. Space Marine 2 introduces a “hub” mechanic, where you return to the ship between missions. Here, you can customize your Astartesunlock new skills, and prepare your equipment for upcoming battles. Sounds like a good idea, right? But if you're like me and just want to get to the next massacre, this break in rhythm can seem a bit boring. Fortunately, these breaks aren't too long, and over time, you'll get used to using them to improve your strategies.

Furthermore, the progression system is quite straightforward, with no fuss. Each class has its own weapons and abilities, and as you progress, you unlock more options to customize your playstyle. It's simple and effective, just like a good old-school action RPG should be.

Multiplayer and Co-op: More Heads Rolling with Friends

The real fun of Space Marine 2? The co-op. Saber Interactive knew this was the right move. You can play through the entire campaign in co-op mode with up to three friends, which makes the experience even more epic. And if you think that's all it takes, wait until you try the Operations. Here, things get even more tense, with brutal missions that make even the toughest guy break out in a cold sweat.

The way PvPcalled Eternal Waris also present, but for now it is very basic, with only three modes: Annihilation (our good old deathmatch), Seize Ground (capture of territory) and Capture & Control (a zone control mode). But honestly, no one is here for super competitive multiplayer, right? The real fun is in teaming up and crushing hordes of aliens in co-op, so if you're into that style of game, get ready to laugh and scream at the same time with your friends.

Visuals and Performance: As the Emperor Would Expect

Graphically, Space Marine 2 is a spectacle. Using the Swarm EngineSaber Interactive has managed to fill the screen with enemies without sacrificing visual quality. The hordes of Tyranids seem to literally gush across the screen, and it's impossible not to be left open-mouthed when a wave of enemies appears out of nowhere, transforming what seemed like an animated background into a desperate fight for survival. From the detail of the armor of the Adeptus Astarteswhich seem worn with the wear and tear of battle, to the vast alien landscapes, everything exudes a sense of scale and epic destruction. The hordes of Tyranids flow across the screen like a tide of destruction, and the level of detail in their animations and interactions with the environment makes them feel like a real, tangible threat, not just an indistinct mass of enemies.

Furthermore, the game impresses with its lighting effects, especially in dark environments where gunshots and explosions shine brightly, bringing a dense and gloomy atmosphere to the combat. The use of effects such as dust particles, dynamic explosions and even enemy blood adds an extra layer of brutal realism to the game. Even in moments of absolute chaos, with dozens of enemies on screen and explosions happening everywhere, the frame rate remains stable on high-performance PCs, ensuring a fluid and immersive visual experience. Overall, the visuals of Space Marine 2 It's a significant improvement over the original game, and one of the biggest technical highlights of this generation of games.

On PC, the game runs very well, even on low settings Ultra. With a RTX 4070Tiyou can expect something around 100 fps at 1440p, which is impressive considering the level of chaos that's going on on screen. Sure, the game has some occasional performance drops, but nothing that will hinder the experience. And if you're wondering how it will run on PS5 or Xbox Series Xrelax. The console version also delivers solid performance, without pulling too much towards the consoles' side, they can handle the most chaotic sections with ease.

A Carnage Worth Every Second

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is everything fans have come to expect, and then some. It takes the best of the original, improves on it, and adds a few surprises. The gameplay is visceral, the story is simple but engaging, and the amount of blood and explosions you'll witness makes any game seem childish in comparison. If you've been longing for a game where you are, quite literally, an indestructible war machine, this is your moment.

Pros:

• Stunning graphics and breathtaking hordes of enemies, especially on PC with Ultra settings.
• Visceral and rewarding combat, mixing frenetic action with melee strategies.
• Very fun co-op mode, adding a layer of replayability to the game.

Cons:

• The pace of the campaign is interrupted by frequent returns to the central hub, breaking the immersion.
• PvP multiplayer lacks more modes and features, such as matchmaking and lobby options.
• Class progression is slow and fragmented, making it difficult to advance in the different game modes.

Final Grade: 9/10

And for those who have always wanted to see what it's like to be a Space Marine facing endless hordes of bloodthirsty aliens, well… this is your chance. Space Marine 2 is what happens when an epic universe meets a studio that knows how to deliver pure, no-nonsense action. If you're ready to serve the Emperor and devastate everything in its path, get ready, because the Imperium needs you now more than ever.