Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 promises the ultimate sci-fi power fantasy. In this third-person shooter, you play Lieutenant Titus, a hulking Space Marine supersoldier who fights on behalf of the dystopian Imperium of Man - the human faction in Games Workshop's Warhammer 40,000 universe.
However, what makes Space Marine 2 so exciting is its mechanics. Rather than have you cower behind cover in traditional third-person shooter fashion, Saber Interactive's upcoming game embraces the power and brutality at the heart of the Space Marine fantasy. Rather than recovering by hunkering down in cover, you get your health back by executing enemy combatants in gory displays that would look right at home in Doom Eternal. The shooter adds a co-op mode this time, too, meaning that it could be in the running to join our best co-op games list.
In our Space Marine 2 review, we found that the game does a great job of capturing the Warhammer 40,000 setting. Everything looks and sounds over the top. The alien hordes that Titus and his squad face feel overwhelming, while the iconic chainswords (that's a sword with chainsaw blades) and bolt guns (rifles that fire self-propelling rockets) that he uses to dispatch his enemies are as loud and brutal as you'd hope. Read on to find out more.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2: cut to the chase
- What is it? The sequel to the cult classic Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine
- When is it coming out? September 9, 2024
- What can I play it on? PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Who is making it? Saber Interactive
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 release date and platforms
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 launched on September 9, 2024. The third-person shooter came out on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 trailers
The latest trailer we've received for Space Marine 2 arrived as part of Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024. It's a slow-motion cinematic trailer with some quotes from the press praising the game's preview showings so far.
Another trailer we've received for Space Marine 2 comes from Focus Entertainment. It's an extended trailer showcasing some of the multiplayer modes that'll be available at launch.
Cinematic trailers are a lot of fun, but if you're looking for a more substantial trailer, publisher Focus Entertainment has also revealed an eight-minute trailer that follows Titus through one of the game's missions. Here, we see some of the meaty combat firsthand, as well as an exciting teaser at the end which shows off the forces of Chaos - a group of eldritch antagonists hell-bent on destroying the Imperium.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has enjoyed a selection of engaging trailers over the past few years, starting with a reveal trailer back in 2021. To keep up to date on all the latest previews, we advise keeping an eye on publisher Focus Entertainment's official YouTube channel.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 gameplay
Much like its predecessor, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a third-person shooter that trades chest-high walls and cover mechanics for gory melee executions and over-the-top futuristic weaponry.
In our hands-on with an early build of the game, we got to experience an early mission for ourselves. Not only does Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 preserve the weighty and satisfying feel of the original, but it also improves on the formula, adding a parrying system that rewards well-timed blocks with meaty executions and staggering attacks.
What's most impressive about the title, however, is how it leans into the size and scope of Space Marines. In the Warhammer 40,000 setting, Space Marines are 10-foot-tall supersoldiers who tower above mortal humans. Every step Titus takes carries the weight of his heavy-duty armor and equipment. Fighting alongside ordinary humans, the enormity and scale of the Space Marines are brought into focus, making the player feel extremely powerful.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 also introduces squad mechanics. Your squad, either played by other humans in co-op or controlled by AI, will support you in battle by laying down covering fire, helping you charge enemies and even reviving you should you fall.
The game also boasts a range of weapons. In the hands-on, we tried a variety of Bolters - signature Space Marine weapons that fire rocket-propelled explosives. The automatic variant was a particular pleasure and allowed you to unload scores of explosives into alien hordes at a satisfying speed. We also got our hands on a Meltagun - an anti-tank weapon that fires blasts of super-heated energy. If you want to get up close and personal, of course, you can always switch to Titus' chainsword and tear enemies apart in melee.
Altogether, these facets make fighting through alien hordes extremely satisfying. Whether you're in close quarters or picking off enemies at a distance, the combat feels responsive and substantial. We can't wait to see the finished version.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 story and setting
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 picks up after its predecessor. Having foiled an uprising of Chaos worshippers, Captain Titus of the Space Marines was taken into custody by the Imperium's secret police on the grounds that he might have used "unholy assistance" to overcome these occult foes.
Since then, Titus has returned to active service, but it looks as though he's received something of a demotion. Now a Lieutenant, he's been sent to help the Imperium fight off an alien invasion on one of its planets. Working with the non-augmented humans of the Imperial Guard, Titus and his squad will need to brave hostile jungles teaming with alien Tyranids.
The Tyranids - heavily inspired by H.R. Giger's xenomorph - are a race of ravenous aliens bent on consuming as much biomass as possible. One of the scariest foes in Warhammer 40,000, these creatures are controlled by a hive mind, making them a serious threat.
The reappearance of the forces of Chaos has also been teased. These sinister servants of four dark gods vie for control of human souls and serve as the main antagonists in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. These renegades and traitors turned their back on the despotic Imperium of Man in favor of new masters.
Between the Tyranids and the followers of Chaos, Titus and his squad have their work cut out for them.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Collector's Edition
Available from September 9, 2024, the Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Collector's Edition comes with a host of extra goodies. Front and center is a hand-painted statue of Lieutenant Titus dispatching a Tyranid Gaunt with a chainsword. The statue depicts the Space Marine waist-deep in a pool of gore, meaning that it's more of a bust than a full figure. Still, it's certainly a striking sight.
The Collector's Edition also comes with a 172-page book detailing the making of the game, an official Steelbook for the game, a copy of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 itself, and a snazzy collector's box to put it all in.
You can pick up the Collector's Edition on the Focus Entertainment website where the full product comes to $249.99 / £229.99. It's a significant investment, but, on the other hand, that statue does look profoundly metal.
Space Marine 2 FAQ
Is Space Marine 2 crossplay?
Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 features full crossplay at launch. PC players and console players can squad up, regardless of where they're playing. You may need an online service subscription depending on your platform.
Is Space Marine 2 Game Pass?
Space Marine 2 is currently not on Xbox Game Pass. While the game didn't launch on the service, it's possible that it'll arrive there in the future. Stay tuned for updates.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 news
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 gets a release date
Despite the game being pushed back, we now also have a release date for the anticipated third-person shooter. Focus Entertainment announced that the title will be released on September 9, 2024. It's a while to wait, but, with this extra time, Saber Interactive will likely be able to put together a more polished and enjoyable experience.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 delayed until "the second half of 2024"
Focus Entertainment has revealed that Space Marine 2's release date has been pushed back from late 2023 to "the second half of 2024". This is to provide time to "properly polish the game." The shooter will still be arriving on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC, however, so no changes there.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 gets new co-op trailer
As part of E3 2023, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 received a brand-new trailer showing off the title's much-anticipated co-op mode. This will allow up to three players to experience the campaign together. Blasting aliens to bits may be satisfying, but it's another thing entirely to tear chunks out of Tyranids with your buddies. You can view the trailer below.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 collector's edition opens for pre-order
Back in February 2023, the collector's edition of Space Marine 2 was made available for pre-order. The edition contains a resin statue depicting Lieutenant Titus dismembering a Tyranid, as well as a 172 making-of book and a collector's box to contain it all.
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