Have you ever wondered what it would be like to don a helmet and embody one of the most powerful forces of nature in all of Warhammer 40K? That’s right, I’m talking about becoming an Ultramarines Warrior, honed to perfection in the art of warfare, all in the name of the Emperor. As the physical embodiment of the Adeptus Astartes, Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 lets players live out their ultimate power fantasy in this brutal third-person action game, conscripting us regular folk into the teachings of Primarch Roboute Guilliman. Space Marine 2 is finally here—and it’s about time.
I love it when a game seamlessly integrates its tutorial, and Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 does this expertly. If you’ve ever played a Gears of War title (or the original Space Marine), the weight and feel of Space Marine 2’s chunky Ultramarines characters will greet you like an old friend. However, despite the familiar mechanics, Space Marine 2 layers in the extensive lore of Warhammer 40K, creating an entirely different experience from Gears’ testosterone-fueled romp on Sera.
Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 brings back the hero from the original game, Demetrian Titus, but a century has passed since the events of the first game. After being arrested due to his natural resistance to Chaos energy, Titus has been serving in the Space Marine’s Deathwatch chapter. The opening mission (which doubles as the tutorial) puts you behind Titus’ visor during a near-suicidal mission to deploy a Virus Bomb and thin the Tyranid hordes. The Deathwatch chapter is aptly named, as its members are sent on the most dangerous, often fatal, missions.
“Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 lets players live out their ultimate power fantasy in this brutal third-person action game.”
During the tutorial, I got a taste of Space Marine 2’s core gameplay. While there’s no cover system, the beefy characters can deliver justice with a variety of melee weapons, shoot with primary and secondary firearms, roll, parry, and use the typical shooter controls. What really sets the game apart is its use of Warhammer 40K’s Swarm Engine, which has never looked or felt better. The Tyranid hordes come at you in waves, and watching them crawl over their fallen comrades to reach Titus is both terrifying and awe-inspiring. Saber Interactive nailed the lore-accurate representation of the Tyranid menace.
The combat in Space Marine 2 is where the game truly shines. The melee feedback is incredibly satisfying, and smashing through hordes of Tyranids had me shouting, “FOR THE EMPEROR!” Parrying smaller enemies opens up brutal execution moves, and larger enemies, like the Ravener, can be defeated by parrying in succession before delivering a devastating blow. Executions are visceral, with weapon type influencing the brutal animations, adding depth to each kill.
Shooting in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 is just as thrilling as melee combat, with each Bolt Rifle type delivering a hefty and satisfying sense of impact. However, my personal favourite weapon is the Melta Cannon. This powerful and fiery cannon obliterates multiple Tyranids in one devastating shot, cutting through hordes with ease. While its effectiveness decreases at long range, that’s not much of a drawback since most of your encounters will be in close-quarters combat—about 90% of the time. In these intense battles, the Melta Cannon truly shines, making every shot feel impactful and rewarding as you mow down waves of enemies.
“Space Marine 2 is finally here—and it’s about time.”
The game also features other modes, including the Eternal War PvP mode (which I wasn’t able to test pre-launch) and Operations, a PvE mode that adds depth to the campaign. Operations mode offers six missions and six classes, each fitting into the standard shooter roles like Tank, DPS, and Scout. I particularly enjoyed the Bulwark class for its intimate, bloody combat style. Saber Interactive has already planned an extensive post-launch roadmap to keep the action going long after the campaign ends.
There are a few drawbacks worth mentioning. First and foremost, Space Marine 2 will inevitably draw comparisons to the Gears of War franchise due to its similar third-person shooter mechanics and heavily armoured protagonists. However, the characters in Space Marine 2 are quite different from the more relatable, emotionally grounded characters of Gears of War.
Here, the Ultramarines come across as more highly disciplined, well-versed politicians or soldiers with a strict sense of duty rather than individuals with relatable personalities or emotional depth. This could be attributed to their genetic modifications, which strip away much of their humanity, making them feel rigid and emotionally distant. As a result, it becomes harder to form any real emotional connection with these characters, as they lack the humour or interpersonal dynamics that often help players invest in a story.
Additionally, the missions tend to feel repetitive. While the objectives change, the core loop of “shoot Tyranids, press buttons, repeat” can start to feel formulaic. Though it’s still incredibly fun, I would’ve liked a bit more variety in the mission structure.
Despite these minor issues, Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 is a fantastic addition to the third-person shooter genre. The lore is treated with care, the action is relentless, and the game is a true joy for Warhammer 40K fans. Saber Interactive has delivered a high-octane title that fires on all cylinders. While it’s not without its flaws, Space Marine 2 is a phenomenal entry into the Warhammer 40K video game universe, and it’s sure to have action fans shouting, “BROTHERS, MAKE THE EMPEROR PROUD!” in no time.
