After 13 long years of anticipation, Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2 has finally arrived, bringing the brutal, high-octane combat fans of the franchise have been craving. The sequel to the beloved 2011 original offers a thrilling return to its violent, power-fueled roots. However, while the core gameplay delivers in all the right ways, its single-player story campaign falls flat, leaving solo players yearning for more depth and a competent AI squad.
This review focuses on the single-player and general gameplay experience, as we’ve yet to fully test the cooperative and PvP modes, with a forthcoming review planned to cover those areas in detail.
Combat That Feels Phenomenal
For fans of Warhammer 40k, the sense of being a towering, indomitable Space Marine is critical, and in Space Marine 2, that feeling is amplified to the maximum. From the first moment you fire your bolt pistol or tear through a swarm of Tyranids with a chainsword, the game makes sure you feel every punch, every swing, and every shot.
The weight and impact of combat are phenomenal. Whether you’re charging into hordes of alien beasts or executing brutal melee takedowns, the gameplay does a fantastic job of making you feel like a one-man army encased in power armor. The updates in graphics, physics, and animation all contribute to this, making the act of combat more immersive than ever.
If you loved the intense action of the 2011 original, you’ll feel right at home here. The core gameplay is a satisfying evolution of its predecessor, with significant graphical improvements and refined combat mechanics that benefit from over a decade of technical advances.
Missing the Power Axe from the First Game
One notable absence in Space Marine 2 is the Power Axe, a weapon that was iconic in the original game. Many fans of the first Space Marine remember the Power Axe for its satisfying blend of weight and power, which added a unique flavor to melee combat. Its omission from the sequel is a curious one, especially considering how pivotal melee is to the game’s overall feel.
While the chainsword and thunder hammer are present and still feel impactful, the lack of weapon variety in this area leaves a gap for longtime fans. Hopefully, future updates or expansions will bring the beloved Power Axe back into the arsenal, but for now, its absence feels like a missed opportunity.
Story Campaign: A Disappointing Experience
Unfortunately, for those hoping to dive into a rich, engaging single-player narrative, Space Marine 2 offers little satisfaction. The story is thin, with a forgettable villain and lackluster plot development. Clocking in at around eight hours, the campaign feels more like an afterthought, designed to introduce players to the mechanics and set up the multiplayer experience rather than deliver a compelling narrative.
While the visuals and set pieces are impressive, the story itself lacks emotional weight or intrigue. Lieutenant Titus returns as the protagonist, but his character arc is shallow, with little in the way of meaningful development. The supporting characters are equally uninspired, and the villain is a one-dimensional antagonist who leaves little lasting impact.
For a game set in the grimdark Warhammer 40k universe, which is known for its rich lore and epic tales of conflict, this feels like a missed opportunity.
Single-Player Woes: Inept AI Companions
One of the biggest frustrations in the single-player mode is the AI companions. As Space Marine 2 is primarily designed for cooperative play, the AI partners who replace human teammates in solo mode are frustratingly ineffective. In moments that require coordination and strategy, your AI squadmates frequently fumble, making some battles unnecessarily difficult and reducing the overall enjoyment of the experience.
Boss fights and larger set pieces that would benefit from solid teamwork feel like a chore when you’re relying on poorly performing AI. This issue exacerbates the blandness of the story mode, as many of the game’s grander moments fall flat due to inadequate companion support.
Performance: Smooth and Impressive
When it comes to technical performance, Space Marine 2 delivers a smooth experience, consistently running above 60 frames per second on a high-end rig equipped with an NVIDIA RTX 4080 Super. With everything cranked up to maximum settings, the game showcases breathtaking visuals without any noticeable frame drops or stutters. The detailed environments, character models, and particle effects are impressive, and the smooth performance enhances the visceral, fast-paced combat.
Even during the most intense battles, with hordes of Tyranids swarming the screen and massive explosions rocking the environment, the game maintained a stable frame rate. For those with high-performance gaming rigs, Space Marine 2 will undoubtedly be a visual and technical treat, pushing the boundaries of what the Warhammer 40k universe can look like in a modern gaming context.
While the game’s story campaign leaves much to be desired, the real promise of Space Marine 2 lies in its cooperative and multiplayer modes. We have yet to fully test the co-op multiplayer and PvP modes, but early impressions suggest a more engaging experience with friends at your side. The game boasts cross-platform support, meaning you can team up with fellow Space Marines across consoles and PCs, which could be a significant draw for many players.
Once we’ve had the chance to dive deeper into the co-op and PvP content, we’ll release a comprehensive review covering these aspects of the game. Early feedback from the community indicates that these modes could be the game’s saving grace, offering the kind of dynamic, team-based action that could elevate Space Marine 2 to a higher level.
Final Thoughts: A Game of Contrasts
Overall, Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2 is a game of contrasts. Its core combat is magnificent, offering the visceral, brutal experience fans of the series demand. The technical performance is stellar, with excellent graphics and sound design that make the Warhammer 40k universe feel more real than ever before. But the single-player campaign falls disappointingly short, with a shallow story and frustrating AI.
If you’re primarily interested in experiencing the thrill of combat and exploring the game’s multiplayer modes with friends, Space Marine 2 is likely to meet your expectations. However, if you were hoping for a rich, engaging single-player experience akin to the 2011 original, you might find yourself underwhelmed.
We’ll have more to say about the co-op and PvP modes in our upcoming review, so stay tuned for our final verdict on Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2.
Disclaimer: Review codes for Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2 were provided by the publisher.
