Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Review (PS5)

Warhammer 40K fans have had to be patient, but after 13 long years, we finally have the sequel and continuation to Titus’ last outing, but has it been worth the wait?

The short answer to that question is yes, very much so, but the longer, more complex one may surprise you even more. Thanks to Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive, I was lucky enough to get my hands on a review copy, and the last two weeks have been full of Tyranid-shooting, and Chaos-smashing fun over the three modes currently available.

The Campaign Isn’t an Afterthought

In a gaming era of single-player campaigns being tacked on as an afterthought, forgotten about completely, or being a broken and buggy waste of time, it’s nice to see a developer not only spend the time to make sure the story campaign is complete but that it plays wonderfully.

Of course, it’s not a true single-player experience, as it can be played with up to two friends (a suggested experience to really push up the chaos), but whether you play alone with the AI companions, or with two friends, you’re going to be having some fun.

Featuring the return of Titus, the unfortunate hero from the first game, last seen exiled and forgotten about, the story opens with his return to the fold, Deathwatch tenure at an end and the previous (and torture-filled) 200 years finally finished with.

If you haven’t played the first game, don’t worry. While the lore of the Warhammer 40K universe is denser than some black holes, Space Marine 2 will quickly bring you up to speed in the opening missions, and the further through the campaign you proceed, the more Titus’ backstory is explained and revealed, so whether you’re a new player to the franchise or a returning one, all will make sense.

Brought to life by Clive Standen (of Vikings fame), Titus is the gruff, devoted, and loyal subject that gets thrown back into the mix after two centuries of Deathwatch service. Standen perfectly encapsulates the character, bringing nuance to him beyond just ‘must serve, for the emperor’ that Titus could easily have become in this entry.

Instead, you’ll find yourself at times wondering what’s going on with Titus, if he’s right, whether his previous incarceration was fairer than it seemed, and if you’re really aware of everything going on.

Spread across 13 story missions, you’ll be spending your time between destroying Tyranid hordes, taking down massive Carnifax enemies and even coming to blows with some surprising inclusions that Saber did well to keep quiet. Oh, and for those who did play the first game and know the background lore, there are even a few appearances that’ll please/anger you depending on which way you lie.

Without spoiling anything specifically, the campaign is an absolute blast to play from start to finish, and may just include some of the best Warhammer 40K media we’ve ever seen. There were moments where I was shouting at the screen, others my adrenaline pumping, and many moments where I felt like an absolute badass. The power fantasy is unrivaled here.

That all said, the game isn’t a walk in the park. From dying fairly to finishing a Helbrute with one sliver of life left, the game’s AI Director does a fantastic job of balancing the ordeal so in some moments you’ll feel like an unbeatable man-beast, and others you’ll be struggling to survive the sheer number of enemies being thrown at you. Everyone should be knocking Saber’s door down for their proprietary swarm technology, that’s for sure.

The Operations and Eternal War Modes Could be a Game of Their Own

Throughout the campaign, you’ll notice a trend of Titus requiring extra men for his objectives, and then consequently sending them off to some unseen mission that gets updated via Vox comms as they happen. With most games, that’d be as far as it goes, but Space Marine 2 goes one step further and arguably proves that the campaign and Operations mode were always intended to be played side-by-side.

You see, with the Operations mode, you’ll take on the mantle of those other Marines and complete the other side of the mission you saw during the campaign. This can be done solo or up to three of you together, but seeing the events of the rest of the story play out pushes not only the narrative further but the immersion too.

As well as the same wide range of weapons, both ballistic and melee, you’ll have new mission types to complete, and more freedom, as you’ll be able to approach these in different ways, although ultimately they all end up with you blowing up or killing something, which never gets boring.

Not just the Operations mode, there’s the much-requested PVP Mode Eternal War, which works as Space Marine 2’s multiplayer component, and it does so gloriously. There are no Tyranids here, only warring factions/chapters, and it gets brutal quickly. Think of a 2024 Gears of War level frenetic and chaotic, and you’re almost there.

There are six classes to choose from when booting up the multiplayer, ranging from Tactical which seems to be an allrounder, to Sniper or Bulwark. Every playstyle is catered for here, and the more variety on a team the better it will perform.

Lastly, Eternal War allows players to customize everything from their loadout to their armor, meaning everyone’s Marine will be unique to themselves. There’s a ridiculous amount on offer armor-wise and no doubt more will be added as time goes by. If nothing else, players will finally be able to see some of the more unique and rare chapters being represented by themselves on screen.

Final Thoughts

Even if you’re not a fan of the universe, even if you know absolutely nothing going on, Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 is still worth your time. Whether you’re someone interested in single-player games, co-op shooters, or chaotic and messy multiplayer experiences, it has something for everyone. Beyond the variety, each and every mode is a polished example of what could be done when developers are given the time and trust to know what they’re doing, and doing it right.

There’s been a lot of games, both good and bad, released in 2024, but there’s no doubt that Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 is not only in the running for Game of the Year, but it seems to be an easy winner right now. Oh, and for those players sick of waiting for the next Gears of War, well, this will more than fill that gap.

Tim Willitts recently told me that we “won’t be waiting 13 years for Space Marine 3,” but after playing this, I can’t help but feel any time is too much to see what they do and where they go with the franchise. Emperor be praised!

Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 isn’t just the game of the summer, it’s the Game of the Year. Offering unmatched quality from gameplay to graphics, performance, and overall package, there’s no better game so far, and no weak spot to try and pick apart. Diehard fans will love it, new fans will adore it.

10/10