Space Marine 2 Could Have Had A Bigger Story Time If It Was Not For The One Co-Op Feature That Help It Beat Helldivers 2

In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war – and co-op. Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 has been making waves since its release, not just for its faithful adaptation of the iconic universe, but also for its unique approach to multiplayer. While the game’s 3-player co-op campaign has been a hit with fans, it seems that this very feature may have come at a cost to the game’s narrative potential.

According to a recent interview with the developers at Saber Interactive, the decision to allow players to take on the roles of supporting characters Gadriel and Chairon throughout the entire story mode had a significant impact on the game’s storytelling. But was this trade-off worth it to gain an edge over rival title Helldivers 2?

The Emperor’s Finest, Three at a Time

One of the standout features of Space Marine 2 is the ability to play through the entire campaign with two friends, each taking on the role of a different member of Lieutenant Titus’ squad. It’s a feature that has undoubtedly helped the game stand out in a crowded market—and one that has even managed to lure some Helldivers 2 fans away from their democracy-spreading shenanigans.

However, as Saber Interactive’s creative director Oliver Hollis-Leick explained in the interview with GamesRadar+, this co-op focus came with some narrative restrictions:

Compromises were made. It was trying to pitch it in the best, optimal place for the conditions we had […] If Gadriel and Chairon were not playable characters, we could have done way more.

We would have more control over them going off and doing their own thing, and like even becoming a source of conflict during the mission.

It’s certainly a tantalizing glimpse into what could have been. Imagine a version of Space Marine 2 where the supporting characters had more agency, where their actions and decisions could create genuine conflict and tension within the squad.

It’s the kind of storytelling that the Warhammer 40K universe is known for, and it’s hard not to feel a twinge of disappointment at the thought of what might have been left on the cutting room floor.

Balancing Action and Storytelling in the 41st Millennium

Of course, it’s easy to armchair quarterback these decisions from the comfort of our own gaming chairs. The reality is that game development is a series of compromises, a constant balancing act between vision and practicality. And in the case of Space Marine 2, it seems that the decision to prioritize co-op gameplay was a calculated one.

As Game Director Dmitriy Grigorenko noted in the interview:

I remember arguing with [Hollis-Leick] a lot, saying that there’s not enough time for our characters to talk about the plot, to argue with each other, because there’s stuff exploding in the background. Nobody’s going to listen to that – we have to be short!

It’s a fair point. In a game as action-packed and visceral as Space Marine 2, there’s a risk of the narrative getting lost in the chaos of battle. And while some fans may lament the missed opportunities for more in-depth storytelling, it’s hard to argue with the end result: a game that has been widely praised for its satisfying combat and faithful adaptation of the Warhammer 40K universe.

In the end, perhaps the true measure of the game’s success is not in the story that could have been, but in the story that was told. And for fans of the franchise, that story is one of glorious, bloody victory in the name of the Emperor. Even if it did come at the cost of a few heart-to-hearts between Space Marines.

What do you think? Would you have preferred a longer, more narrative-driven campaign in Space Marine 2, or are you happy with the co-op-focused experience we got? Let us know in the comments below!