Have you ever wondered how it would feel to run through diverse planets as a hulk-sized marine with a giant chainsaw? I say feel, because the haptic feedback on the PS5 controller emulates the clunky, chunky movement of a super-soldier kitted with weighty armour and an arsenal of devastation. This is the appeal of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, the sequel to a 2011 title that had a vision but lacked the tech to execute the feel. Fortunately, that tech – high-end graphics, ability to render a massive horde of enemies, appropriate gun-and-run quality, jaw-dropping locales – has caught up, and Space Marine 2 is an improvement in every way. Does the title match up to other third-person, co-op shooters considering the notable releases in 2024? Or does the Warhammer lore and prestige package this Ultramarine sim into a potential Game of the Year hit?
While there are multiple modes available to the player, including campaign and a range of multiplayer ‘progression’ game styles, this review was written with most time spent in single-player mode. Following choices in difficulty and performance/quality mode, a graphically-stunning cutscene sends our main character, Titus, onto a planet dripping with gore and chaos. The story is serviceable and includes twists and turns without leaving the general comfort zone of ‘shoot first, speak later’. Thankfully, with an approximate campaign runtime of 12 hours, the action comes quickly and never lets up. A short tutorial is followed by what is the most impressive component of Space Marine 2: the sheer amount of enemies that can fill the screen. The Tyranids fly through the atmosphere in the hundreds before they land and attack. Intrigued, I shot at a flying swarm in the distance and noticed a splash of blood, followed by a drop. Every single enemy on screen, near and far, is there. No smoke and mirrors, no tricks. When I lifted my jaw off the desk, I realised that this is what sets this game from the rest: volume.
As mentioned, the story plays its role to ensure the stakes always feel high and the connection between you and the other two players (real or computer-driven) feels genuine. This game is designed to be played with allies as the ‘how’ in tackling the relentless swarms of bug-like creatures far outweighs the ‘why’. Each level sees Titus – you, a basic giant that has lived for centuries – drop into a stunning environment to support regular-sized humans in their quest for survival and reclamation. But this is never as important as selecting the right gun that aligns to your play style (sniper, shotgun, flamethrower, etc.) and finding new ways to defeat more foes than you can shake the carcass of a supersized cockroach at. It’s all brute force, macho, beat the chest and blow the bastards to bits. And sometimes this is all you need.
Many will ask about the specs and performance. For this type of game, selecting performance mode and allowing for higher FPS is an easy choice over quality, as the graphics remain strong and the stream of hordes is more stable. Both options had value and will suit the player. The look and feel of the game is hard to fault, but there is a dip in some of the character animations and movements outside of the general gun fights (avoid watching lips during speech). The sound of the guns, the shake of the controller depending on gun choice and the screech of the enemy make for an immersive experience. The soundtrack is not quite as memorable, but provides a serviceable backing to the screams of the falling.
Note: this game is gooey and gory. Executions and parries see your chainsaw, knife, sword or other melee weapon tear through Tyranid flesh/shell with ease, splattering the screen and everyone in proximity. You’ll walk through arenas with thousands of dead people and pools of blood being as common as the trees and buildings. This makes for a world that is harsh, cruel and under threat. Warhammer’s lore is present in all storytelling, visuals and hidden finds, but it is by no means a necessity to have any understanding of the IP. This game is here for a good time, and there are few boundaries in doing so if you just want to shoot the breeze.
In terms of flaws, this may be more personal preference than objective. The game can be repetitive – go here, kill hordes, come back to the ship – and won’t always provide a spark of something new, but that is exactly what is advertised on the tin. Expecting an RPG or open-world game is incorrect, and therefore cannot be compared. The value of the game, beyond the 12-hour campaign – is crunching bugs with friends or fighting others with your selection of explosive goodies. Enemies can feel repetitive per planet, but once you start moving around there is enough difference to keep fights fresh. There is a bit of the old “souls-like” in the dodge, parry, hit style, but this is not that type of game. Here is a third-person shooter built to wow audiences with the overwhelming forces that cover your screen in filth.
Whether you go solo, PvE or PvP, there is a mode for all players eager to brave the worlds of Warhammer. It’s a different beast to Helldivers 2, largely due to the giant marine style that is clunky on purpose and the goals for completion along the way. Loving one may see affection for the other. The post-launch content may decide if this game remains on your regular play cycle, but even a short time with Space Marine 2 is a time that will buzz the senses with some of the better action sequences in current-gen gaming.
