Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Review

Warhammer 40,000 is one of the most famous science-fiction franchises. This universe, rich as the Lord of the Rings in a completely different context, has been the subject of dozens of adaptations over the last few decades, sometimes for the better and often for the worse.

In 2024, Saber Interactive and Focus Home Entertainment have decided to create the best Warhammer 40k video game ever, and to do so, they’ve called in the troops of the Imperium. Will Space Marine 2 reach its expectations? We will dive into the hell of eternal war to find out.

Blood and Honor

Humanity is on the edge of extinction. After centuries of expansion across the universe and galactic conquest, the Imperium is surrounded from all sides by its enemies. To survive, the Emperor can count on his regular troops – the Astra Militarum – and his elite genetically modified soldiers… the Space Marines. As the planet Kadaku is about to fall into the hands of the Tyranids, a contingent of Ultramarines – a Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes – is dispatched to clean up the mess.

Space Marine 2’s Story mode – playable entirely solo or in co-op for up to 3 players – focuses on one squad in particular, led by the ancient veteran Demetrian Titus. The story conceived by Saber Interactive’s scriptwriters is inspired by the many writings of Warhammer 40,000, and fits perfectly into this universe. In addition to references and nods that will delight fans of the genre, they have drawn on several emblematic Warhammer 40k characters and locations to anchor the game published by Focus Home Entertainment in this lore.

The result is a scenario that may be linear and conventional in many respects, but it’s ultimately epic and fun to follow from start to finish, with its many twists and Homeric sequences. The North American studios are responsible for the direction, with cinematography worthy of a live-action animated movie and a sharp sense of excess. Demetrian Titus and his brothers-in-arms face the greatest threat mankind has ever known with unmatched devotion throughout a campaign lasting around ten hours (depending on the difficulty chosen). The pleasure of being part of it is undeniable.

Brutal Beauty

Saber Interactive has put its faith in the Swarm Engine to do justice to the Adeptus Astartes, and with good reason. Space Marine 2 may not be the most beautiful video game ever made, but it’s got a lot to live up to. Visually speaking, it’s an unqualified success, nothing more, nothing less. The environments are teeming with detail. Animations bring the Imperium soldiers and their enemies to life in the most beautiful way. And the fireworks complete the picture.

Warhammer 40,000 is known for the brutality of its universe, and the studios responsible for Space Marine 2 have understood this very well. The Imperium’s army takes great pleasure in slicing up, burning, crushing, and slaughtering heretics, and never spares a drop of hemoglobin to underline the almost divine violence of the battles. Finally, the artistic direction of the title is a military-gothic marvel in keeping with Warhammer 40K. The scenery comes to life under the brushes of artists who take great delight in adapting Games Workshop’s unique universe to video games.

Bolter & Chainsword

Saber Interactive is on a mission. The studios wanted to put the almighty power of the Adeptus Astartes into the hands of the players, and they’ve succeeded. Halfway between a shooter and a brawler, Space Marine 2 is a hybrid action game combining the best of both genres. And it’s an unqualified success. The combat system is a clever blend of shooter and hand-to-hand combat, where resource management is the key to survival. Tough as they may be, Space Marines are not immortal, and must be clever and skillful if they want to avoid eating dandelions by the roots.

Victory depends first and foremost on mastering parrying and executions – which justify discovering Saber Interactive’s creation – in order to keep your shield as intact as possible. Once the shield has been deactivated, a soldier’s life hangs by a thread. However tough it may seem aggressive at first sight, Space Marine 2 turns out to be much more subtle. Space and distance management, a thorough knowledge of the enemy, and a strong faith in your brothers-in-arms make all the difference on the battlefield. Wearing the armor of the Adeptus Astartes Chapters has never been so thrilling, and the exhilarating pleasure of wiping out heretics by the hundreds has never been greater.

The Paths of Eternal War

Space Marine 2’s scripted campaign could be seen as a magnificent tutorial, because the heart of the experience lies in the other game modes, one in particular. The war against the Imperium’s enemies is eternal, and Operations mode is a worthy representative of this. This mode parachutes squads of 3 elite soldiers (players and/or AI) into different battle zones, with several objectives to accomplish. Far from being trivial, these endless replayable missions complete Titus Demetrian’s storyline and offer memorable sequences, particularly when facing fearsome bosses.

However, the interest in Operations mode lies elsewhere. Players are allowed to customize their Space Marine from head to toe – colors, armor pieces, accessories, chapters, etc. (and not just from a cosmetic point of view). Beyond the six classes available, dozens of weapon and equipment options impact gameplay and define a fighting style unique to each player. Obtaining the Adeptus Astartes of your dreams comes at a price in resources… and therefore in hours of actual gameplay and victories… and you’ll have to fight to the death to unlock it all.

Saber Interactive makes a child’s dream come true with this customization system taken to the extreme. The studio’s generosity knows no bounds, ensuring that Space Marine 2 has an unlimited lifespan. And they haven’t forgotten those who want to fight real humans in the arena. Named “Eternal War”, PvP and its 3 modes (Annihilation, Seize Ground, Capture and Control) set two teams of 6 Space Marines against each other in a brutal duel. Last but not least, this W40K video game is cross-play, enabling everyone to cooperate and compete, whatever their device (PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S).

Conclusion

Saber Interactive and Focus Home Entertainment strike hard, very hard. Space Marine 2 is a true adaptation gem for Warhammer 40,000 fans and all those who enjoy unrestrained action videogames. This science-fiction universe is enhanced by stunning visuals and impressive gameplay, both precise and brutal. And the best is yet to come. The PvE and PvP modes guarantee endless gameplay, as does the Space Marine customization, which is a model of its kind. Space Marine 2 could have been perfect if it weren’t for the feeling of repetition that creeps in after several hours of play, although it does leave room for fun in the company of other players.