Space Marine 2 picks up after the first game, after a long time gap as we are now into the Era Indomitus. After an introductory mission segment, our protagonist Titus undergoes the Rubicon Primaris and is returned to his chapter , the Ultramarines and partnered with Chairon and Gadriel two Primaris Space Marines and dispatched to aid against a Tyranid invasion. The Tyranids get their chance to shine well in this game thanks to the Sabre Swarm Engine which is able to appropriately show just how much of a threat the hive fleets are supposed to be, as they are an overwhelming threat in the lore that requires a strong effort to repel.
Space Marine 2 has an epic feel to it that is helped by its increased scope over the first game, as everything feels expanded upon in a good way. The combat is meatier, taking influences from Doom 2016 ( which was itself influenced by Space Marine 1), the controls are more responsive and the game has a cinematic feel that oozes masculinity with its characters. Titus and company are stoic figures who only get emotional when the story truly needs it, something which makes those moments stand out far better. Titus has been through a lot since the first game, and his perspective has changed somewhat, but he is still a heroic figure.
One thing that stood out right away about Space Marine 2 was how much of the lore is incorporated into the game in meaningful ways. References to the Horus Heresy, the nature and origins of the Primaris marines, and even the relationship of chapter serfs to the Ultramarines are shown well here, making this feel like a fully realized depiction of the Warhammer 40 000 universe. Characters do not just feel like generic NPCs here, and even the Imperial Guard gets to show off, the more you help them push back the swarm, leading to some awesome moments.
Space Marine 2, as mentioned above, has some truly amazing combat and deeply satisfying mechanics to keep you engaged in the narrative. If anything, this feels like a throwback to the classic Gears of War games and I mean that as a compliment. There is no bloat, or unseeded elements and the various game modes help create an experience that offers a lot of variety to players.
You can play the campaign solo, or in a co-op mode, and this is a great way to emphasize the brotherhood aspect of the Adeptus Astartes and how they are meant to work as a unit, and this mode works extremely well when playing. Of course, this is not the only multiplayer mode as there are also PVP modes as well as PVE modes, the latter of which stands among the best PVE games in the genre. The PVE and PVP modes allow for a variety of classes to be used, and the online works amazingly well, but there is more to it.
The PVE mode missions give a sort of side story that expands on the action of the main game and does so is a successful way. With its own bosses and targets, Space Marine 2’s PVE feels very fleshed out when compared to some other games, and compliments the single player/co-op main campaign very well. Of course, this is not to say the PVP mode is not great, as that mode has a lot to offer as well. Space Marine 2 will be adding new Marine chapters, champions, classes and modes to the online as part of DLC, and I can see the game having a long lifespan with how much is coming.
Back to the main campaign though, the story is handled extremely well and brings up aspects from the first game in interesting ways, while also touching on older and more obscure aspects of Warhammer 40 000 lore in terms of who certain characters are. As noted in the preview materials for the game, Chaos is involved here as well, and the forces of Tzeentch get their chance to shine bright as the Thousand Sons engage the Ultramarines in some of the best battles in a 40K video game ever. This is a gorgeous title and the visuals are used to their full potential to show off the carnage and power of the Tyranids and chaos, while the characters make you want the story to keep going. Story campaign DLC has been teased since release, and some parts of the story leave a lot open for continuation, which is a good thing.
More than anything else though, Space Marine 2 is just a fun game that doesn’t try and be anything more than a fun game that is a good adaptation of Warhammer 40 000. The characters are what they should be, the lore is represented well, and there are humorous moments that are handled perfectly. Space Marine 2 may not be the all time greatest 40K video game ever, but that is only because the first two Dawn of War games set such a high bar, and even then Space Marine 2 feels like in some aspects it surpasses those games ( which yes are in a different genre, but that is besides the point). Warhammer 40 000 Space Marine 2 may be one of the most fun games I have played all year, and shows such a respect for not only the Warhammer 40 000 franchise, but also the fans and players who have waited a long time for Space Marine 2 to be a thing. Often times, a game that has been so highly anticipated cannot live up to the hype, but somehow Sabre Interactive and Focus Entertainment pulled off the impossible and created the perfect Space Marine sequel. Now here is to the future of Titus and the Ultramarines! Courage and Honour!
Disclaimer: A review key was provided
