Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Review - Screenshot 1 of 5

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a triumph of the storied universe in which it takes place, illustrating the grimdark setting in detail enough for even the most hardened veterans. It's an instant cooperative classic full of glorious, relentless combat; our only remaining question mark is how developer Saber Interactive's gripping third-person shooter handles competitive multiplayer, which we couldn't sample in the review period (Early Access begins 5th September). Nevertheless, with a lengthy cinematic campaign that's full of memorable set pieces that showcase the power of PS5, as well as half a dozen formidable Operations designed for co-op play (cleverly woven into the main narrative), and the prospect of Horde Mode on the horizon, Space Marine 2 is already a tribute worthy of the God-Emperor of Mankind Himself.

The direct sequel to 2011's Space Marine, it's clear that video games have come an incredibly long way since the nostalgic days of the PS3. It continues the gore-drenched saga of Ultramarine captain (now lieutenant) Demetrian Titus, whose steadfast devotion to the Imperium of Man, The Emperor, and his battle brothers is largely the extent of his characterisation. You don't need to be a devout 40k fan to follow along, but for those who have seen His light, it takes place in the Era Indomitus; Roboute Guilliman has returned, Primarch and genetic "father" of the Ultramarines, leads the Indomitus Crusade, uniting the scattered worlds of humanity once more.

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Having served a century of penance in the Deathwatch since the first game, Titus undergoes the Rubicon Primaris, becoming an even deadlier Primaris Marine, and is deployed to face a splinter of the Tyranid Hive Fleet Leviathan at the head of a new squad. We suppose if we did have a real narrative nitpick, the story does dramatically deviate from this premise in the back half, introducing another enemy faction, but we wish it had remained more focused.

Graphically, Space Marine 2 is a powerhouse, and in Performance mode, at least, it does a staggeringly good job of depicting the chaos and carnage of war in the 41st millennium. Resolution takes a hit, but the action is still crisp and clear, and while we did experience brief moments of slowdown during some of the game's most demanding moments, it was not enough to distract from the glorious scenes on-screen. We were aware of Saber Interactive's previous port work, but it seems we weren't familiar with its game; Space Marine 2 is a big, bombastic AAA action blockbuster, jam-packed with the kinds of wince-inducing finishing animations that would make Kratos himself nod along in violent approval.

"Bolter porn" is a somewhat derogatory term used by 40k fans to describe particularly action-heavy Black Library novels, but it's incredibly apt in the context of Space Marine 2. Outside of sometimes interacting with terminals or obstacles, the player's primary verb is the industrial-scale slaughter of xenos and heretics, and it's incredibly fun and satisfying. Like Gears of War without the chest-high walls, Titus and company enjoy a rock-solid mechanical foundation (bug-free, except for the 'Nids), which boasts a wide range of futuristic weaponry to employ on the endless alien hordes.

This arsenal contains all the 40k staples you might expect, as well as some upgrades; the trusty Boltgun now has new (and thus potentially heretical) variants like the Auto Bolt Rifle, or Bolt Carbine, but melee combat steals the show. The experience of fending off staggering numbers (our final campaign kill count was almost 20k), back-to-back, against all odds, is a thrilling one.

Each melee weapon has unique characteristics and simple combo chains, which, combined with a generous parry system, allow you to stand tall even in the face of overwhelming numbers. From the gruesome Chainsword to the devastating Thunder Hammer to the simple but effective Power Fist, there is quite a bit of nuance between each. While the elegant Power Sword remains our favourite, it's nice to mix things up occasionally.

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The Tyranids are a wonder, appearing in uncountable swarms during set piece engagements in many of their fan-favourite forms. From Gaunts to Lictors, Raveners and Carnifex, they attack relentlessly in waves. At a high level, combat becomes a delicate balance between clearing chaff and isolating more deadly opponents, with specific weapons designed for both room-clearing and duelling.

Like Bungie with Halo, Saber describes the difficulty above standard as the intended experience, so naturally, we went with that. We love a challenge, and Space Marine 2's Veteran difficulty certainly provides it, so much so that we had to dial it back to make it through the final few boss encounters of its 10+ hour campaign, but we're already planning to do it again with friends. There's even a difficulty above that for all the masochists out there.

Whether playing solo or cooperatively online, Titus is accompanied by fellow Ultramarines Gadriel and Chairon, who get their own basic story arcs and provide a surprising amount of banter, as well as support fire. It's a nice touch, with co-op companions playing the part of one or the other. We feel it was a missed opportunity not to let players change what weapons the AI is carrying (again, ala Halo), but still, the effort to characterise each is appreciated. In terms of sound design and cinematics, again, it is top-shelf stuff; the exultations of your battle brothers carry clearly over the sound of the chittering xenos hordes, all to the explosive beat of mass-reactive Bolter fire.

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Operations provide surprisingly involved cooperative content; six are currently in the game, and more are coming via free updates. Each is unlocked through campaign progression, and in a really neat trick, you see the effects and consequences of these side stories periodically, as they are often happening concurrently, narratively speaking, and are conducted by other named characters. For example, one involves killing a Hive Tyrant, the brains behind the psionically linked swarm, and Titus, Gadriel, and Chairon encounter the aftermath of this action during the campaign.

In Operations, players choose a specific archetype (Tactical, Assault, Vanguard, Bulwark, Sniper, Heavy), and a fireteam can only have one of each, adding a further element of strategy, earning experience and upgrades to unlock additional cosmetics and better gear. These are designed to be played repeatedly and on harder difficulties once you're ready to meet the challenge.

Conclusion

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 does its legendary setting justice, offering a high-quality cinematic campaign that is a wild ride to blast through, and it only gets better if you bring a few friends to watch your back. Add to that the clever Operation side stories, the competitive Eternal War multiplayer, and the promise of a dedicated (and free) Horde Mode on the horizon, and Space Marine 2 sets a benchmark for 40k games worthy of its own storied, illustrious lore.

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