Developed By: Saber Interactive
Published By: Focus Entertainment
Platforms: PS5, XBOX X|S, PC
Reviewed On: PS5
Review Code Provided By: Game Source Entertainment
Space Marine 2 doesn’t just start with a bang—it erupts onto the screen with the full force of Warhammer 40,000’s signature, larger-than-life warfare. Right from the opening moments, it pulls you into the heart of a colossal battle, showcasing the breathtaking grandeur that defines this universe. The game makes it clear: this is the Imperium of Man in all its towering glory. The architecture alone feels like a triumph, with massive cathedrals of war, fortress cities, and brutalist designs that scream both nobility and domination. Every detail is meticulously crafted to reflect the Imperium’s indomitable spirit, and as you march through these towering structures, you can’t help but feel small in the face of such overwhelming power.
The opening fights are a masterclass in immersion, throwing you right into the boots of a Space Marine, and it’s nothing short of exhilarating. The weight of your power armour, the deafening roar of your bolter, and the sheer brutality of cutting down wave after wave of Tyranid horrors—it’s all here, and it’s utterly convincing thanks to how well the DualSense haptics functions are cleverly utilised here. You feel the pressure on the trigger as you shoot and each step you take in that mighty Space Marine armour.
For fans, Space Marine 2 is a real fan–service treat. For the newcomers, you’ll have a lot of catching up to do. Space Marine 2 picks up right where its predecessor left off, throwing us back into the boots of the legendary Captain Demetrian Titus, the Ultramarine who became a hero in the original game. After the climactic events of Space Marine 1, Titus was last seen being taken into custody by the Inquisition, a brutal reminder that even the greatest champions of the Imperium are not above suspicion. But now, he’s again back in the service of his former chapter.
The combat in Space Marine 2 masterfully blends both ranged and melee elements, making you rely on both to survive the relentless battles. While the shooting mechanics feel familiar—straightforward, powerful, and brutal—the melee combat is where the game truly shines. It adds a layer of complexity and satisfaction, particularly with the new parry system. A well-timed parry doesn’t just block an attack—it sets you up for a devastating counter. There’s nothing quite like watching your Space Marine seamlessly parry a blow, then pull out his sidearm to blow an enemy’s head off in one smooth, brutal motion. It’s the kind of visceral, cinematic moment that never gets old.
What really drives the excitement home is the execution mechanic. After staggering an enemy with a parry, you can perform an execution move that’s not only stylish but drenched in blood and gore. The animations are gloriously brutal, offering a visceral spectacle that feels true to the Warhammer universe’s unflinching brutality. Every time you slam your Chainsword into a foe or crush an alien’s skull, the game rewards you with a sense of power and satisfaction.
However, it’s not always as fluid as you’d hope. Made by the same developers behind World War Z, Space Marine 2 loves to throw hordes of enemies at you. Much like in World War Z, these swarming foes can easily overwhelm you, and that’s where the parry system shows its limitations. The parry only works if you’re facing the attacking enemy. Get hit from behind, and you’ll be mini-stunned, leaving you vulnerable to follow-up attacks from the front. This can be frustrating when surrounded, especially since one misstep can leave you reeling. Those of you who are playing solo need to be aware of your surroundings and avoid being surrounded. If you have a friend, or better, two friends to play with, you won’t be affected by this much thanks to the constant communication and coordination between teammates.
Combat in this game isn’t just about mowing down enemies; you also have to keep an eye on your armour. As you take hits, your armour points drain, and when they’re gone, your Space Marine becomes much more fragile. The only way to replenish armour in the thick of battle is by performing executions on staggered enemies, adding a tactical edge to every encounter. Without armour, enemies will quickly chip away at your health, which is harder to replenish since you need stim kits to heal. This constant dance of managing armour, health, and the relentless waves of enemies keeps the tension high, making every fight a brutal test of skill and strategy.
Space Marine 2 offers a variety of game modes, with the campaign mode being the core of the story experience. In the campaign, players can choose to embark on this journey alone, accompanied by two NPCs who play vital roles in the unfolding narrative. Alternatively, you can dive into co-op with friends, where your teammates take control of these NPCs. This twist adds an interesting dynamic, especially during dialogue moments when lines meant for NPCs come from your friends’ avatars. It can feel a little off at times, but honestly, it leads to some hilarious moments that break the tension in the middle of the action.
While the campaign mode in Space Marine 2 delivers an incredibly rich and immersive Warhammer experience, complete with epic bombardments and the overwhelming chaos of war happening all around you, there’s an undeniable sense of scale mismatch when it comes to your actual gameplay experience. The game loves to show off massive set-pieces, with scenes of thousands of Tyranids crawling up walls, swarming towards your position, and giving you that heart-pounding “last stand” feeling. But when the action shifts to your character, the actual fights feel surprisingly small in comparison.
Despite the game teasing you with the visual spectacle of endless hordes, you end up battling what feels like only 50 enemies at a time. It’s hard to shake the feeling that, while the world around you is massive and chaotic, the battlefield you’re on feels almost detached from it. This isn’t to say the combat isn’t intense—every skirmish is still brutal and demanding—but it just doesn’t always match the colossal scale the game seems to promise in its backdrop. You’re left wanting more of that apocalyptic clash the Warhammer universe is known for, where the weight of war truly presses down on you.
Even when facing the Chaos forces in Space Marine 2, I couldn’t help but feel that they lacked the impact and uniqueness they deserved. The Chaos Marines, in particular, felt far too generic and uninspired, which is especially disappointing considering the rich Warhammer lore that positions them as at least equal, if not greater, threats to the Space Marines. In the game, though, they come across more like standard enemies with a Chaos Marine skin slapped onto them rather than the terrifying, corrupted mirror image of the Adeptus Astartes that they should be.
Lore-wise, Chaos Marines are supposed to be formidable warriors—powerful, cunning, and imbued with the twisted gifts of the Dark Gods. But in practice, they’re just another mob with a gun and longer HP bar, lacking the distinct abilities or behaviours that would make them stand out as true adversaries. Instead of facing off against the terrifying forces of Chaos, it often feels like I’m just mowing down regular foot soldiers. This missed opportunity leaves a lot to be desired, especially for those of us who hoped for more intense and meaningful encounters with Chaos Space Marines that reflect their status as true equals—or even superiors—in battle.
But at least, the Campaign mode did set itself apart with clever integration with other game modes. Each mission in the campaign presents scenarios where another squad is off completing a crucial side mission to support your main goal. These side missions are played out in Operations mode, a dedicated multiplayer co-op PvE mode. Here, you can team up with random players via matchmaking or coordinate with your friends. It’s a smart way of widening the scope of the campaign, offering a more layered experience that keeps you grounded in the plot while giving you a broader perspective on the war. Instead of a single point of view, Space Marine 2 allows players to see multiple aspects of the battle playing out simultaneously. And for those craving PvP action, there’s Eternal War mode, where players can engage in direct combat against each other.
However, my experience in Operations mode has been a mixed bag. It’s a mode that thrives on teamwork, but when matched with random players, it can often feel frustrating. Too many times, I’ve been paired with teammates who rush through missions, skipping optional fights just to get to the end as fast as possible. This rush mentality can be disheartening, especially for players who want to savour the action and enjoy the intricacies of each mission. It’s especially noticeable given the limited number of missions available—only six campaign missions and six corresponding Operations missions. With such a small pool of content, every moment in these missions should be savoured, but that’s not always possible when others want to speed-run through it.
Although there are only six missions in Operations mode, each comes with different difficulty levels, with each tier becoming progressively more challenging, introducing more and stronger enemies for players to take on. As you complete missions, you earn experience and currency, which can be used to unlock cosmetic parts and invest in class improvements and upgrades. However, personally, I feel that six missions are still too few. I’m not someone who enjoys grinding the same content repeatedly just to become more powerful, only to return to the same locations and do it all over again.
Players will also get to choose from six unique classes when playing in Operations mode, although the game doesn’t allow two players to use the same class in the same mission. Each class has its own unique weapons and perks that can be upgraded, making them more lethal in combat. There are also passive perks that benefit team play, so for those who have two other friends to play with, the skill tree becomes even more fun to mess with. The game also allows players to customize the skin of their Space Marine, including emblems and elements from chapters outside of the Ultramarines, which is a fantastic feature for long-time fans of the series.
All in all, here’s my conclusion;
What I Liked About Space Marine 2
- Epic Atmosphere and Visuals
- Satisfying Combat
- Immersive Haptics Integration
- Fan Service and Customization
- Clever Integration of Game Modes
- Unique Class System in Operations Mode and PvP
What I Didnt
- Scale mismatch in combat vs the atmosphere depicted
- Underwhelming Chaos enemies
- A limited number of missions
- Limitation on the Parry system – not working as fluidly as it should when crowded by mobs.
Verdict
Space Marine 2 brings the Warhammer 40,000 universe to life with its grand scale, stunning visuals, and satisfying combat. Fans of the series will appreciate the return of Captain Titus and the deep customization options, while newcomers will be thrown into an immersive world of brutal warfare. However, the game’s scale feels mismatched, and some elements, like the Chaos Marines, fall short of expectations. The limited mission variety in Operations mode and frustrations with co-op play can also detract from the overall experience. Despite its shortcomings, Space Marine 2 delivers a solid, action-packed adventure that’s sure to satisfy Warhammer fans, but may leave others wanting more.
