Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Review

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 combines the best elements of classic shooters from the Xbox 360 era with the grimdark atmosphere of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Its condensed and rich focus on its storyline and visceral combat makes it one of the most memorable action games of the recent years.

Among the many Warhammer 40,000 games, the original Space Marine was unique in allowing fans to take on the role of a towering space marine equipped with incredible firepower.

Aside from 2016’s Space Hulk: Deathwing, players have not had the chance to annihilate aliens with a massive bolter, as most Warhammer games focus on strategy and turn-based gameplay mechanics.

Fortunately, Saber Interactive’s sequel to Relic Entertainment’s beloved third-person shooter wonderfully expands upon the original, transforming it into a glorious experience that fans have come to love.

A Solid Sequel

It’s important to emphasize that Space Marine 2 is a solid sequel. Instead of making drastic changes, it enhances the original experience while preserving its core values.

The storyline builds on the original Space Marine, and in a gaming industry where many titles demand extensive time commitments and come laden with agendas, Space Marine 2 promises a memorable and condensed experience.

Building a Protagonist: Demetrian Titus

Fans who played the original Space Marine often sensed that Demetrian Titus was more than just a generic supersoldier with hefty plot armor. The team at Saber clearly recognized that Titus could offer depth to both the Space Marine series and the broader Warhammer 40,000 universe as well.

From the beginning to the finale, Demetrian Titus’s journey exemplifies a compelling character arc in this grimdark narrative. His stoic and dutiful approach to the challenges he faces highlights Saber’s understanding of the essence of Warhammer 40,000 too.

Even for those unfamiliar with the universe, the vivid depiction of this bleak future—where humanity has transformed into a xenophobic machinery of death and chaos—would likely be captivating to see as Titus, as he is also relieved from his years-long duty and tries to fit into his former legion as an Ultramarine.

That’s why continuing with Titus as the protagonist was a wise choice by the developer team, as it’s also complemented by the introduction of two strong side characters, Chairon and Gadriel.

Just like many other tales from the 40K universe, they provided depth that complemented the overall story of the Space Marine 2. That’s why I always found myself looking forward to watching the next scene and hearing them converse with each other.

Great, Yet Familiar Combat

Saber Interactive’s highly anticipated sequel elevates the visceral combat of the original to next-gen standards. While it doesn’t introduce groundbreaking mechanics, the combination of ranged and close-quarters combat remains engaging throughout. Using massive bolters to take out Tyranids rarely felt repetitive.

The parrying mechanic against tougher Tyranid enemies, or catching smaller ones mid-air, is particularly satisfying, especially on higher difficulty settings.

While the intense and violent combat in Space Marine 2 is its strongest feature, it isn’t groundbreaking and it’s far from revolutionary. The gameplay does offer a thrilling mix of close and ranged fighting, although the latter is incredibly weaker than shooting.

Shortcomings That Are Easy to Overlook

Combined with unpolished weapon balance and weak close-quarters combat, Space Marine 2’s action formula tends to feel like there could have been much more, especially considering the developer’s acclaimed Horde mechanic that they have wonderfully implemented into their other game, World War Z.

This weaker aspect of the combat system forces you to play in a singular style and doesn’t let you experiment in this chaotic battlefield too. You always find yourself hunting for the bolter or the Melta Rife, as they perform much better than their counterparts.

However, despite all these minor shortcomings, Space Marine 2 excels at immersing you in the Warhammer 40K universe as the Imperium’s bulwarks against the unending threat of Xenos.

Moving, shooting, taking cover, or simply walking as a Space Marine feels just great. Saber Interactive’s talent at capturing the brutal Warhammer 40,000 setting made it incredibly easy to overlook its flaws and mishaps in combat mechanics.

Every Mission Offers a Sight to Behold

While there is a myriad of Warhammer 40,000 games out there, few truly immerse us in the worlds of the Imperium or the grotesque environments of horrifying planets.

That’s why Space Marine 2 scores another point, as nearly every mission turns into a visual treat, as it perfectly showcases the dark and distinct landscapes we read about in the books of the 40K universe.

I do believe that Space Marine 2’s exceptional portrayal of the 40K setting deserves more praise. However, I would also argue that this aspect also partially shields the game from valid criticism.

In an era where many games have transformed into service models—featuring daily quests, unlockable content, and aggressive retention strategies—Space Marine 2 feels like a tribute to the solid third-person shooters of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 era.

While I believe the industry should return to its roots while leveraging advancements in game development, I also feel that Space Marine 2’s adherence to those days may be slightly excessive.

Closing Comments

My time with Space Marine 2 felt deeply refreshing, partly because it defies many of the repetitive trends in modern game design. But that’s just the start of what makes this game shine.

With its compelling storyline, intricately developed characters, visceral combat, and an authentic military narrative set in the grimdark future, Space Marine 2 stands out as one of the best third-person shooters we’ve seen in years.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 reviewed using the Steam key provided by the developer.