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Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is easily one of the best co-op shooters we’ve played in years. If you had fun slaying Terminids with friends in Helldivers 2, then you’ll likely enjoy the bloodier and arguably more epic battles against Tyranids here. Where Space Marine 2 differentiates itself from Sony’s surprise hit, is in its propensity for sci-fi spectacle, with lore-adorning graphical details, blood-splattering violence, and the sort of third-person action we thought had been left behind in the PS3 era. If you’re looking for that sci-fi escapism, that focuses on making you feel like a complete badass, then Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is an upcoming PS5 release you can't miss.
Sadly we can’t talk too much about the PS5-ness of it all, since our recent hands-on time with the game came in the form of a PC beta build. So while we’ll have to save console performance for the full review, today we can speak on the content within the game itself, and the core gameplay loop. Within our beta, we had access to one main campaign mission, and two co-op missions – all of which are playable in three-player co-op. All said and done, it was roughly two hours of content, but as we’re typing up this preview we’ve just shy of 10 hours with the game. That’s a good showcase for how much fun Space Marine 2 is.
Taking to the streets of Avarax, a mission around the mid-point of its main campaign, developer Saber Interactive is keen to show that Space Marine 2 is about as big and bombastic as they come. You will constantly find reasons to stop and just take in its sci-fi laden vistas, as Tyranid swarms pepper the skyline, and gothic architecture is reduced to rubble. Space Marine 2 is a graphical marvel, and the exact type of game that could benefit from a PS5 Pro.
![Preview: Space Marine 2 is a PS5 Blockbuster That's Worth The Hype 1](https://images.pushsquare.com/ca5b4141764c2/preview-space-marine-2-is-a-ps5-blockbuster-thats-worth-the-hype-1.900x.jpg)
Slashing and blasting our way through Tyranid hordes, we take on the role of Lieutenant Titus – a returning character from the 2011 original – along with his squad of Ultramarines. There’s tension between the squad and Titus that we would love to have more context towards, but jumping in at the mid-point doesn’t exactly allow for that. It’s not important though as we’re racing to protect the Astropathic Relay, holding out in the hope a fellow squad is able to eliminate the Hive Tyrant. If you think that’s a lot of sci-fi goodness, you’ve seen nothing yet. Each frame and sentence in Space Marine 2 has enough lore-filling details to make a psyker’s head burst.
While all those details are there for those that love to soak up the Warhammer 40K universe, for most you’ll just bask in the awesomeness of it all, as you hulk around in bulky armour and pop Tyranids like blood bags with a collective of gut-punching weaponry. With everything from full-auto machine guns to plasma pistols and melta rifles, there’s plenty of ways to dispatch Tyranids, not least with your flesh-tearing chain sword, which never loses its appeal.
![Preview: Space Marine 2 is a PS5 Blockbuster That's Worth The Hype 1](https://images.pushsquare.com/27866c5e8a9da/preview-space-marine-2-is-a-ps5-blockbuster-thats-worth-the-hype-1.900x.jpg)
It’s actually a little surprising how involved the moment-to-moment gameplay is. It’s not just a case of holding down the trigger and calling it a day, as parries, dodges, counter-shots, and executions come into play. Parries and executions in particular are how you earn back armour slots, the only real way to protect your health which doesn’t regenerate outside of med-kits. When things get messy – as they often do – it’s thrilling to catch a Tyranid mid-leap and pulverise its skull, saving what little health you have left for but a moment.
Unlike Helldivers 2, which is about overcoming hordes as squishy vulnerable humans, Space Marine 2 wants to fuel that power-fantasy, as you rip through hundreds of Tyranids with blood splashing over your power armour. Of course the game wouldn’t be much fun if you were invincible, so to ensure you’re at threat of dying a true Astartes death, Saber Interactive has ported over its horde technology from World War Z. Tyranids will scurry towards you in their hundreds, and while it’s never quite as overwhelming as the developer’s previous zombie-slaying outing, you’ll often find yourself entirely surrounded with nothing but a chain sword left to defend yourself. It’s a thrilling sensation to empty a magazine into a pursuing horde, hoping that they run out before your bullets do.
![Preview: Space Marine 2 is a PS5 Blockbuster That's Worth The Hype 1](https://images.pushsquare.com/8796ebc182b54/preview-space-marine-2-is-a-ps5-blockbuster-thats-worth-the-hype-1.900x.jpg)
Upon reaching the Astropathic Relay, we had slain countless Tyranids, witnessed devastating destruction, and survived heretical Astartes, all before facing a final boss that put all of our combat knowledge to the test. This is an old-school blockbuster video game here folks, and if this is just one mission, we can’t wait to see the rest of the campaign.
However, the campaign is just one third of the Space Marine 2 offering. While we didn’t get to try out the Eternal War PvP mode, we did try out two of the six co-op missions. Teaming up with our battle-brothers from Pure Xbox, we went boots on the ground in Kadaku, a tropical forest planet starved by metallic factory abscesses. Structurally, there isn’t too much special about these missions. You get to explore cool environments, take on swarms of Tyranids, maybe protect a point, and end with a big horde survival moment or a boss fight. What does add to the appeal, however, is playing with friends across different difficulty levels and how it all ties in to the main story.
![Preview: Space Marine 2 is a PS5 Blockbuster That's Worth The Hype 1](https://images.pushsquare.com/9558982a22101/preview-space-marine-2-is-a-ps5-blockbuster-thats-worth-the-hype-1.900x.jpg)
Surprisingly one co-op mission takes us back to Avarax, where our squad is tasked with taking out the Hive Tyrant. It’s an integral but ultimately background aspect to the main campaign, and the co-op missions subsequently filling in the gaps add to this vision of a galaxy-spanning war effort. While we didn’t have the context to our Kadaku mission, communication with Titus suggests it will also tie into the campaign. It’s a neat narrative throughline for a mode that a lot of games just aimlessly tack on.
On top of this, it's a delight to fight alongside friends in bloody bouts. Space Marine 2 is filled to the brim with clip-worthy cinematic moments, whether you're performing simultaneous executions or utilising class abilities to save a fellow battle brother from certain death. It becomes all the more fun too as you creep up the four available difficulty levels. By the time you reach the “substantial” difficulty tier, every bullet, parry, and med-syringe counts. It’s a far gnarlier experience dependent on communication, and it really keeps you on your toes as you survive by the skin of your teeth.
![Preview: Space Marine 2 is a PS5 Blockbuster That's Worth The Hype 1](https://images.pushsquare.com/bf34656f7aaf3/preview-space-marine-2-is-a-ps5-blockbuster-thats-worth-the-hype-1.900x.jpg)
Upon the completion of a mission, you’ll level up your chosen class and weapons. There are six classes to choose from, all with their own skill trees, loadouts, and abilities, which range from grapple attacks to dome shields. Steadily your character’s abilities and the weapons they carry will become all the more powerful, readying you for the higher difficulties. Not only that but you'll steadily unlock and purchase cosmetic armour pieces, to really make your Ultramarine your own. We can already tell that players are going to craft up some delicious looking armour designs.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a blood-speckled action extravaganza that we can’t wait to dig into upon its full PS5 release. It’s the type of PS3 era madness that blends the crunchy shooting of a Gears of War with the sci-fi spectacle of the Warhammer 40K universe. It honestly reminds us of our teenage years, obsessing over a game into the wee small hours of the morning because we simply could not get enough of it. We have some concerns over how the PS5 version will run, but from a content, gameplay feel, and experience standpoint, it’s easily one of the most exciting games heading to PS5 in 2024.
Are excited to dive into some Tyranid action when Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 launches on PS5 on 9th September? Swear your allegiance to the Emperor down in the comments below.
Comments 54
I know nothing about Warhammer but me and my nephew might be getting it cos the coop campaign might be the closest thing to a Helldivers campaign.
Aaron's been banging on about this game ever since he started previewing it, and I must admit, the hype is infectious. Sounds brilliant.
I AM SO READY FOR THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've waited a decade for more.
It does look like a proper old-school PS3-era shooter. I don't think it's personally something I'd buy, but looks very good.
I loved the first game, and have bought the Collector's Edition for the second one. Absolutely cannot wait...
Crazy to me how good this looks. It's not an IP as big as Marvel or whatever, but looks even more spectacular.
I have absolutely zero interest in Warhammer the board games, but this one definitely looks good enough for a day 1 purchase.
Yea this looks like something I would really enjoy. Too bad I promised myself I wouldn’t buy anything new and would clean up my platinum backlog this year… will be breaking that promise for Astrobot
If the focus is co-op, then I'll pass. If it's the sort of game that you can play solo but it's not really how it's intended, then I'll pass. The first game had a great solo campaign and this whole preview just turned me right off.
Proper PS3 shooter, sounds promising. Did make me laugh where PS5 pro had to be mentioned though. I'm sure the base PS5 is more than capable.
Pre-ordered this ages ago - not long now...
Another Warhammer game worth looking up is Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef.
Great, fun little game.
Not sure when I will get around to this, could be a Xmas game but I will definitely be picking this up, looks and sounds brilliant!!
Not a Warhammer guy, don't really know it, but that top pic made me think of Darksiders and I like 3rd person so I may be in, if there's a stand alone campaign. Also sounds a lot like Serious Sam, which I played as much as I could considering I don't like first person.
So I'll take a 3rd person Serious Sam game w/ these graphics, but not doing anything online co-op. Guess I'll stay tuned.
Really interested to see the PvP mode. Think it’s gonna have an interesting enough premise where it’s gonna do well. It’s gonna be interesting seeing this game probably do very well vs a game like Concord which doesn’t really have anything interesting about it.
Maybe I missed this somewhere in the article or the video, but can this game be played in single player in the campaign mode? Or is it always online co-op? Looks like a bloody good time!
Does this game feature a robust single player campaign, or is it a game that should be played cooperatively? For an example - The Division 1 & 2 can be played solo, but it’s designed for coop in mind. I don’t want that type of experience. With all of that said, it does sound like an awesome game.
The timing of this is just perfect for me. I’ve been looking for an excuse to get into these games having never played a single game in the franchise. Even listening to a ton of lore on YouTube lately and the world really is insane (in a cool/grotesque way) so I reckon I’ll be picking this one up if it’s recommended 👌
@Kraven @ear_wig @Alps_Stranger It's got a full single-player campaign which can also be played in co-op, and then it's got a separate, mission-based co-op mode on top of that.
im not a Warhammer guy but im going to play this it looks gorgeous
seems like its got a gears of war vibe to it with horde killing like world war Z
yes im in
@ShogunRok That doesn't answer the questions asked at all. We know solo exists as an option. Is it any good or do you need to play co-op in order to actually enjoy the game? Based on this preview (and a few others I've read today), I've taken it off my wishlist because the solo player is clearly an afterthought here.
@Alps_Stranger It's been described as a story-driven, single-player campaign with three-player co-op as an option. I would assume the campaign will be built around single-player, since a dedicated co-op mode exists separately.
I'll be waiting for the PS5 Pro before I pick this up, not because I want the extra power, but because I've promised my PS5 to my best mate and fellow Warhammer nerd when I upgrade, and we're gonna play the bejeezuz out of this together.
@ShogunRok That's what I assumed too until these previews came in. Nothing in them looks good for solo players. Digital Trends even calls it out directly. The rest, including the one on which we're commenting, paint a dire picture.
My only gripe with this is that I want to play through the first game first, as it explains the situation with Titus, and... That's on PS3 so that's not going to happen. That aside, really looking forward to seeing how this runs on PS5.
Hope it's better than the first game, which felt like a bad Gears of War clone, with mediocre level layout. Got bored with that one, after only two hours.
I do find it interesting pushing the PS5 pro so hard in this with little to no knowledge of what it really is.
I finished Space Marine 1 on PS3 and i like it despite i don't know anything about Warhammer series. It's a classic good ol' TPS that doesn't complicated anything, just straight up shoot, punch, or hack & slash to eliminate all your enemies. Very arcadey but refreshing if you feel you're tired doing the laundry list in open world or RPG.
The sequel looks better than the 1st game. But for now i will put it on my wishlist.
Looks very good.
Hyped from the beginning of the reveal can't wait for launch
Watched SkillUp's preview and yeah it looks fantastic.
Gears Of War for the ps5 woohooo.
Even though Gears took many many ideas from Warhammer so could this be the original gears but in the future.
The game looks epic i cant wait to play i just hope the reviews are great as many Warhammer games have fallen with stinky reviews in the past.
My body is sooooo ready!!!
Cant wait!
Removed - unconstructive
@AdamNovice totally different game and campaign. Only resemblances are co-op and 3rd person. More like Gears (of War) with WWZ (horde mode) sized hordes
@Abby-Anderson sure hater
Warhammer 40,000 is my favorite setting. This quote is from one of the Warhammer 40,000 books:
"I have at my command an entire battle group of the Imperial Guard. Fifty regiments, including specialized drop troops, stealthers, mechanized formations, armored companies, combat engineers and mobile artillery. Over half a million fighting men and thirty thousand tanks and artillery pieces are mine to command. Emperor show mercy to the fool that stands against me, for I shall not." – Warmaster Demetrius
@ShogunRok Hey thanks for answering, appreciate it! This game looks brutal and awesome, and single-player campaign is what I needed to hear. Cheers!
I'm excited. I do wonder how horde like or waves of enemies it will have like the first one or more balanced (with the way the Orcs are almost Dynasty Warriors like but not that same structure of course as the linear but fair set pieces and odd groups of Orcs make the game fairly challenging).
I can understand balance being needed before release though to just tweak the enemy AI/difficulty but otherwise I assume it may be a fair game.
Using a chainsaw sword (obviously Gears has Chainsaw attached weapons and not surprised the Warhammer inspiration/similarities), fair weapons, fair tone, co-op yes please (assuming online not split screen but even still it's still nice to have regardless of online co-op).
Some like Metroid Federation Force or Tri Force Heroes or others were solo possible but designed around multiplayer. So some can have NPC assistance or be solo designed but have co-op difficulty even in the singleplayer or just being well others that help in the fights. Or just whatever co-op missions maybe. Games can vary a lot but knowing it's singleplayer with co-op is nice. Ah just like the old days getting features that were great to have again even if modern/10+ year sequel.
The Warhammer universe I know nothing about but is deep and engaging I assume. I'm interested for sure.
Wanted a good modern shooter that isn't MP and isn't live service. Aveum was fair, Atomic Heart is probably fine but Space Marine was more what I was hoping, as if we get nothing else I'm fine on old gen but do want something of campaign good only or campaign/multiplayer offering if they need it to like older eras. Or whatever other modes that can be cool to have.
I haven't looked at footage really. Plan to play the first one as didn't get far but want to try again, and been playing many older gen shooters instead/other genres.
As a big retro shooter fan, I was pretty let down by Boltgunner. This game looks incredible. I'm really not the kind of guy that gets excited for MP shooters anymore. Not really since the 360, honestly. But this looks like a BLAST. It looks like the MP is going deep without being a live service. If not, the SP looks great too. Was t even really paying attention to this until now, so thanks for the read. Skill Up's video on it is great too.
@Killionaire Maybe so but it really doesn't matter to us really, we just see burly dudes killing millions of alien life forms for some "probably questionable" cause.
@DennisReynolds Same.
@Fishmasterflex96 this game is going to do well because it’s a known ip and a sequel to a cult classic so I don’t see how it’s even comparable to Concord not to mention this game is going to be bought because of the single player barely anyone will touch the mp.
Heck yeah im so hyped for this game
@dark_knightmare2 but people do already know Guardians of the Galaxy, so I'm not sure what you mean...
"Space Marine 2 is a graphical marvel, and the exact type of game that could benefit from a PS5 Pro." You don't know this. You don't even know what the ps5 Pro specs are. This game looks awesome and I'm all in day one but let's wait and see how well the ps5 version is before we start going all ps5 Pro on everything. It's almost as if you guys are on a retainer for how many times you can talk up the ps5 Pro..
@LikelySatan yes yes they took inspiration from GOTG lol
@dark_knightmare2 I don't hold it against anyone, enjoying Concord. It also would not surprise me if it was delayed. Even if the game is great, Marvel Rivals is going to eat its lunch.
@AdamNovice not maybe, definitely. But action packed good times guarenteed nonetheless
@dark_knightmare2 you're underestimating this game's mp. It's similar to Gears. I'm sure it will do quite well
@LikelySatan which is sad because concord plays great while rivals gameplay is mediocre as hell
We better be able to get Salamander armour for co0op and PvP!
@dark_knightmare2
So it's a Guardians of the Galaxy like, and also an Overwatch-like? Pretty idiotic they thought it would carve out its own market, when it is built off a current market.
I see this article as another damage control piece after cancellation of the open beta but then I am a cynic.
@dark_knightmare2 I compare the two cause in terms of PvP games they offer two different types of PvP games. Space Marine 2 has a specific hook that sets its apart from any other PvP game. Which is the exact opposite of concord which doesn’t have anything special to itself that hasn’t been done by numerous other games that are free vs being $40. There’s also the point that Concord should have probably added a single player campaign and a pve mode and could have charge $70. Space marine 2 is a very content rich package with a unique angle which concord doesn’t have.
@Killionaire think the main thing this games MP has going for it is that it’s unique and their isn’t any other type of MP like this on the market nowadays. It has a special “gimmick” that helps it set itself apart
@dark_knightmare2 yes concord plays great but it doesn’t do anything to truly set itself apart from other similar games that are free to play. I whole heartedly agree it plays great but that by itself isn’t enough in todays market.
@LikelySatan plenty of games that don’t do anything unique take off look at The First Descendant which is garbage but somehow has blown up same with Xdefiant which has a respectable player base
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