We had the chance to play Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 on the PS5. Here is our review of the sequel to Space Marine 1, which is developed by Saber Interactive and published by Focus Entertainment.
Captain Titus, Reporting In!
Stamped with the name “Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2,” this third-person shooter and action-adventure game from Saber Interactive is a direct sequel to Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 1, which was originally launched by Relic Entertainment in 2011. This new installment once again features Demetrian Titus as the protagonist, who has now been promoted to Captain following the events of the first game, where he was accused of heresy. After years of service in the Deathwatch, our beloved Space Marine with his imposing armor is reassigned to the Ultramarines Chapter.
Accompanied by two other battle brothers, Gadriel and Chairon, Captain Titus is sent on a mission by Captain Acheran to assist the Imperial troops who are fighting against the Tyranid invasion. Under the close watch of the Chaplain, who ensures the purity of the Chapter and still harbors some doubts about the Captain, Titus quickly learns that, at the same time, the Aurora project is about to be activated by the Adeptus Mechanicus, despite the dangers involved. This endeavor also interests the forces of Chaos, especially the Thousand Sons, commanded by Imurah.
Faced with the threat of both xenos and heretics, players are transported into an epic campaign. Composed of six operations lasting around 10 hours, this campaign takes place on the outer edges of the galaxy.
The Ultramarines at the Edge of the Galaxy
The story of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 takes us across three planets: Kadaku, Avarax, and Demerium (in that order). Each planet has its unique environment, and we lead Titus and his companions through a swampy jungle, massive installations, and underground ruins as they carry out various missions.
The six operations in Space Marine 2 have different objectives. Sometimes, we must defend a position under attack by swarms of Tyranids, and other times, we secure antennas that have been ravaged by the sharp claws and fangs of xenos gargoyles. Although some objectives are repeated from one operation to another, it doesn’t happen too often. The variety in the scenes and the well-paced action help prevent the game from feeling repetitive and keep us fully engaged.
However, don’t expect an open-world experience. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has never claimed to be an open-world game. Instead, it offers mostly linear zones that often feel like corridors, though there are occasional extra branching paths. This is not a problem, though, as some levels offer plenty of verticality or, alternatively, horizontal movement. This balance is well thought out and enjoyable. After all, we are mainly here to wage war against the many threats in the name of the emperor.
A Release… In the Name of the Emperor
The Nervousness and Frenzy of the Space Marines
When it comes to Space Marines, it obviously implies brutality, violence, and intensity. On this point, Saber Interactive hasn’t held back, which will surely please fans and players of shooter games. Titus can equip two weapons at once and is just as comfortable in close combat as at a distance, thanks to a varied arsenal.
In Space Marine 2, we have the option to equip a power sword, a chainsword, or a thunder hammer, which can take down one or multiple enemies at once with a heavy attack. The ranged weaponry is even more extensive: sniper rifles, bolters (of course), submachine guns, and more, along with deadly equipment like grenades, fusion bombs, and others. Some more specific weapons are also included, like the plasma pistol and the multi-melta just to mention a couple.
As we progress through the story, most of the weapons become accessible, and some are necessary or even required to get out of tough situations. This forces players to adapt their gameplay, adding a bit of variety here and there. Often, the game kindly provides us with different weapons, sometimes even within the same operation, to keep things interesting. Otherwise, players have the freedom to decide their loadout in the armory before boarding the Thunderhawk to start a mission.
In terms of gameplay, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is fairly intuitive. As mentioned earlier, melee weapons can deal heavy damage with powerful strikes or quickly hit enemies with fast blows. The L2 and R2 triggers (on PS5) allow aiming and shooting, just like most games in this genre. But that’s not all, as you might expect.
The most important aspect lies in blocking and dodging. These two moves are crucial in specific scenarios. For instance, enemy attacks surrounded by an orange/red glow are unblockable, while those with a blue hue can be blocked. Successfully blocking an attack at the right moment allows a powerful follow-up shot. Additionally, after landing several hits, we can execute heavily wounded enemies, which grants armor recovery (acting as a shield) and some very stylish finishing moves. However, we do regret the lack of variety in Titus’s abilities/ultimates (there are only two).
Moreover, depending on the difficulty mode chosen (Easy, Normal, Veteran, and Angel of Death) for the campaign, mastering the gameplay of Space Marine 2 will be essential, along with good resource management, in order to save the Imperium. This will especially be the case if you plan to dive into battle alongside or against other players.
Warhammer Is Better with Friends!
Since the hobby is meant to be highly social and the first installment offers PvP, Saber Interactive couldn’t ignore the multiplayer aspect for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. As you probably already know, the game features the “Operations” mode (PvE) and “Eternal War” (PvP). Unfortunately, during our sessions on Space Marine 2, we weren’t able to test it due to the very low number of available players. However, despite our lack of experience with it, here are some details about the multiplayer mode in Space Marine 2.
There are six missions in the “Operations” mode, and these are the ones mentioned during the campaign. At certain moments, Titus requests additional men from Captain Acheran to accomplish various objectives. This multiplayer mode, which can be played online with three players, allows you to gain experience, armory data, and golden points. These resources are necessary to unlock new cosmetic elements (emblems, colors, etc.), upgrade a weapon to a new version (standard, master, artificer, relic) for better stats, or unlock class-specific abilities.
“Eternal War,” which offers a PvP-focused experience, features several game modes (Territory Occupation, Capture and Control, and Annihilation – with more to be added in the future), in which loyalist Space Marines face off against heretic Space Marines. Additionally, six classes are available for these two multiplayer game modes.
Epic, Spectacular… A Success!
Pure Warhammer
In short, there’s plenty to do in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, and the fun extends beyond the campaign, which promises to be as spectacular as it is epic.
The campaign of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is filled with several cinematic sequences, balancing between epic and spectacular moments without losing its pace. Yes, some of these sequences had us spontaneously shouting “Wow!” in awe.
The swarms of Tyranids, present both on land and in the air, siege the screen from all sides, enhancing the feeling of oppression and invasion. A special mention goes to the sequences in the underground of a building, where hordes of “Ripper Swarms” attack us, reminiscent of A Plague Tale: Requiem. This mission also offers visuals similar to Alien, and it’s executed brilliantly.
The spectacle continues through the stunning environments of the various planets. For example, we were blown away by the visual quality and details of the infrastructures on planet Avarax. Demerium is equally impressive, covered in a light blue aura signaling the presence of the Thousand Sons. The draw distance (at least on the PS5, with quality mode enabled) is also excellent, allowing us to admire the landscapes without any distractions and immerse ourselves deeply in this dark and unique universe. Photography enthusiasts can capture all of this using the fairly comprehensive photo mode.
Speaking of the cinematic sequences, it’s worth noting that while some are slightly lower in quality, others are absolutely magnificent, especially those of the final operation (but we won’t spoil anything to avoid ruining your enjoyment).
As for the Warhammer 40K lore, no need to worry—it’s well respected. From the extensive bestiary (good luck against the Carnifex!), to the characters, factions, and overall atmosphere, we are truly in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, and Saber Interactive has done an excellent job. Well done!
For those planning to experience Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 on Sony’s latest console, the PS5, rest assured that this version is one of the most convincing.
Conclusion
More than 10 years after the release of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 1, Saber Interactive has taken on the challenge of developing a sequel, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. It is safe to say that the effort has paid off.
The campaign, featuring Titus once again and set across multiple planets, is dynamic, engaging, and spectacular. Additionally, the story is accessible, even for newcomers to the franchise or the W40K universe.
Fans of shooters and intense gameplay will find Space Marine 2 satisfying, as it offers several difficulty modes and a great variety of weapons and enemies to fight. However, we would have liked Titus to have more ultimate abilities to spice up the experience.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 significantly and consistently extends its playtime with multiplayer game modes, which will undoubtedly appeal to the community.
