If you’re into games that throw you into the thick of chaotic battles with a hefty dose of gore and over-the-top action, Space Marine 2 is right up your alley. It is pure, unfiltered fun of mowing down waves of enemies without a care in the world. Don’t ask any questions, just do as your commander says and do it for the emperor!
You jump back into the massive armor of Demetrian Titus, who, after a long stint doing his own thing with the Deathwatch, gets pulled back into the Ultramarines to tackle a new threat. The story kicks off when the planet Kadaku is swarmed by Tyranids, and Titus is thrust into the heart of the conflict. There’s some juicy drama with his new squadmates who aren’t exactly thrilled to see him back, adding a nice layer of tension to the narrative. Sure, the plot hits some familiar beats, but it’s engaging enough to keep you invested.
Now, let’s talk about the combat because that’s where the game truly shines. The blend of third-person shooting and hack-and-slash melee is as satisfying as ever. Switching between blasting foes from a distance and getting up close and personal with a Chainsword feels incredibly fluid. The melee system has definitely stepped up from the first game, offering more depth with parries, dodges, and brutal execution moves that not only look cool but also help you stay alive by restoring some armor.
Facing off against the Tyranid hordes is both thrilling and a bit overwhelming—in the best way possible. They come at you in massive numbers, and it’s a sight to behold as they swarm over terrain and each other to get to you. The game’s engine handles these epic battles smoothly, so even when the screen is filled with enemies, everything runs like a dream.
That said, I did find myself wishing for a bit more variety in the weapons department. The iconic Bolter doesn’t quite have the same punch it does in other Warhammer titles. It feels more like a standard assault rifle and a rather weak one at that. For the most basic of Tyranid enemy, the bolter just doesn’t chew through them like it should. While there are other weapons to mix things up, they don’t stray too far from the norm, which is a bit of a missed opportunity. Bolter with a scope, bolter with a grenade launchers etc. These aren’t even variants, just attachments but are treated like new weapons.
The level design sticks to a pretty linear path. While that keeps the action focused, it doesn’t leave much room for exploration or side activities. However, the environments are so well-crafted and packed with Warhammer lore that it’s hard to complain too much. The game nails the atmosphere, making you feel like a small part of a much larger, grimdark universe where massive battles rage all around. No matter where you look, you can see swarms of enemies engaging in different battles to your own. It really makes you feel like you are in the middle of a battle of epic scale!
Space Marines are known for their large hulking power armor, being considerably larger than the average guardsmen. Despite being a revered space marine, you feel rather weak in this game. One or 2 shots from the most basic ranged Tyranid enemy will wipe out your armor. It takes very little to kill you. Thankfully, team mates can revive you but it is still frustrating at times when you get taken down by some puny enemy that you should really be able to stomp beneath your boot.
For those who enjoy co-op play, the Operations mode is a solid addition. You can team up with friends or AI companions—who, surprisingly, hold their own—to tackle missions that tie back into the main story. With six distinct classes to choose from, each with unique weapons and abilities, there’s plenty of room to find a playstyle that suits you. Just be ready to grind a bit if you want to unlock new gear and cosmetic items. The game makes you choose between upgrading your abilities and snagging that cool new armor piece, which can feel a bit slow and limiting.
On the multiplayer front, Eternal War offers some straightforward PvP action. It’s nothing groundbreaking—think team deathmatch and control point modes—but it’s fun in its simplicity. The class restrictions keep matches balanced, and figuring out the best strategies against different enemy classes adds a nice strategic layer. The maps themselves could use more flair, though; they come off as a bit generic and don’t capture the same epic feel as the campaign settings.
All in all, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a blast for fans of the franchise and action games alike. It nails the core experience of being a superhuman warrior in a war-torn universe, even if it stumbles a bit with weapon variety and some multiplayer aspects. If you’re looking for a game that lets you dive headfirst into intense battles without overcomplicating things, it’s definitely worth picking up.
THE VERDICT
- Fluid combat with improved melee system featuring parries and brutal executions.
- Engaging storyline with dramatic squad dynamics.
- Smooth game engine that handles large-scale battles effectively.
- Solid co-op play mode with diverse class options.
- Limited weapon variety and underwhelming power of iconic weapons.
- Linear level design with little room for exploration.
- Multiplayer maps lack distinctiveness and the epic feel of the campaign.
- Frustrating durability of player's armor in gameplay.
