Alex "Raoom" Sukhanov Agitatis Ultramarini!
Dominitis Ultramarini!
Non praestatis Ultramarini!
Nobilitis Ultramarini!
If these lines fill your soul with faith and your hands instinctively form the Aquila on your chest, it means you've been waiting for this game just like I have. But even if, to you, the Ultramarines are just three-meter-tall men in blue armor weighing several tons, that's okay. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 will be the perfect guide into the grimdark future.
As you've probably guessed, this project is definitely worth the attention of both Warhammer 40,000 fans and those who just want to experience a quality, epic game. As a fan who's read dozens of books, I could endlessly analyze every detail, but that's not my goal today. I just want to share my first impressions and answer the question: "Is Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 worth playing?"
Image: Ensigame
Let's start by addressing the lore of the universe, and we'll fit it all into one paragraph. How? It's simple! Fans already know what's happening in the 40th millennium, and casual players are just here to read about the game. Here's a brief summary for you: Emperor of Mankind — god. The Emperor protects. Everything else is heresy. If you don't agree with me — you're a heretic. That's it.
The grandeur worthy of the Codex Astartes
Let's get to the main point — this is the most authentic Warhammer 40,000 experience ever to grace the gaming industry. This is what we envision when we read the books and play the wargame! It's grandeur, gigantism, testosterone-driven madness, epicness, and grotesqueness!
Image: Ensigame
To illustrate this, let's dig up the corpse of the first Space Marine game. So, one of the Imperium's worlds is under attack by a horde of orks alongside Chaos worshippers. What’s the response? Three Space Marines and the Imperial Guard! Three Ultramarines against an ork horde! Forgive us, Roboute Guilliman...
And what do we have in the sequel? Right at the beginning, during the prologue, our task is to launch the "World Eater" — the ultimate measure in the Astartes arsenal. This is the very weapon that started The Horus Heresy! And that’s just the beginning. Imagine this: during a battle, one of the planet's moons is destroyed right before your eyes, and its debris hurtles toward you — now that's scale!
Plus, this time our enemies aren't orks, but Tyranids (intergalactic ants, with a queen the size of a star). This is a true swarm, crashing in endless waves against humanity's defenses. And you'll see it everywhere.
Image: Ensigame
The attention to detail is astonishing. The problem with the first game was that if you removed the Space Marine from the shot, it became unclear which universe we were in. Here, the environment speaks for itself. For example, there's an altar to the Machine God on a standard orbital gun mechanism.
Image: Ensigame
Not impressed? Then here's another example. For ordinary mortals, any Astartes is a demigod, a living embodiment of the Emperor's essence. So, in Space Marine 2, if you pass by humans, they will avert their eyes, and some will drop to their knees and form the Aquila on their chest.
Image: Ensigame
All these details are meticulously maintained throughout, and you don’t need to be a Warhammer 40,000 expert to enjoy it. In terms of world presentation and information delivery, this game is perfect for everyone, and you won't need to study thousands of pages of codices to understand why this guy’s helmet is red and not blue.
Gameplay approved by the Machine God
I'll start by saying that the gameplay of Space Marine 2 surprised and delighted me. No, it's not that it's a unique experience, but rather that it's a pure representative of its genre. This isn't an RPG with strategy elements. It's not a sandbox with souls-like mechanics, and it's definitely not a racing game with platformer elements. No one will force you to collect 10 stones and 5 logs to build a temple to the God Emperor or gather Tyranid tails — this is pure action.
From the very first minutes of the prologue, the gameplay kicks off with energetic and epic action, without any hand-holding like "Press Space to jump". Straight into the fight, and the combat here is very dynamic.
Image: Ensigame
A Space Marine is a highly mobile walking tank. In your hands, you wield one of humanity's greatest weapons, and despite its weight and size, the Astartes can unleash a whirlwind of carnage. Players can seamlessly switch between melee and ranged attacks, turning every battle into an epic action scene.
By the way, shooting feels incredibly satisfying here. The Bolter feels exactly as it should. It's heavy, loud, and shoots mini-rocket rounds that turn enemies into a bloody mist. Everything in this game has weight, and the full set of power armor genuinely feels like a heavy, durable mechanism.
Image: Ensigame
Unlike the dull combat system of the first game, Space Marine 2 offers what is almost a tactical simulator with parrying, counterattacks, weapon combinations, and teamwork. Finishing off enemies no longer restores health but refills your armor, and your health is now replenished through medkits.
Don't forget, you're not facing small groups of 3-5 orks but a swarm of Tyranids. See that crowd? Think they're just background characters? No! Every bug in the back would love to bite your head off. Thanks to Saber studio's signature technology, almost every Tyranid on screen is real. Waves of enemies will come at you, led by mini-bosses, and this is where things can get tough.
Image: Ensigame
Even on Normal difficulty, survival can be very challenging at times. There aren't enough medkits, you can't parry every strike from the swarm, and AI companions aren't as effective as you'd hope. On higher difficulties, only souls-like veterans will manage. This is where one of the key mechanics comes into play — co-op.
Image: Ensigame
You can complete Space Marine 2 solo without any issues, and it will still be fun. The easy mode is great, and no one will think you're a dumb servitor for playing on it. However, the higher difficulty levels seem specifically designed for co-op, especially for special operations.
The power of brotherhood
At a certain point in the game, special operations — large standalone missions for co-op or with AI companions — will become available. The plot here is very basic and essentially similar to the drops in HELLDIVERS 2. Standard classes are present as well: Tactical, Assault, Vanguard, Bulwark, Sniper, and Heavy.
The beauty of this mode lies in the fact that you can create your own Space Marine. The customization is mind-blowing, so fans can easily become a Dark Angel, Black Templar, Imperial Fist, or another member of the loyal chapters. Numerous weapons can also be upgraded and visually modified.
Image: youtube.com/@BenGun
You can even become a Chaos follower — but only in multiplayer. I couldn’t try it out since finding a game during pre-order was impossible.
A few words about the plot
I won’t focus on the plot or retell it. The story is worth experiencing on your own. All you need to know is one thing — the protagonist from the previous game, Titus, is back.
Image: Ensigame
You don’t have to play the first Space Marine to understand what's going on. Don’t do it, spare yourself... In short, the sequel will explain everything, and if you want to delve deeper into the plot, a brief recap of the first game will be enough.
My personal conclusion is simple. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine is the best game set in this universe to date. Yes, there have been other great projects in various genres, but none have quite captured the atmosphere of Warhammer 40k like this one. Here, the setting is a perfect 10 out of 10. Moreover, in terms of gameplay, this is an excellent game, both in its story campaign and its co-op mode with multiplayer.
In any case, the game's sales speak for themselves. It's a grand success, and the developers have already provided a detailed roadmap. We might be in for that exciting online project all fans have dreamed of, and the story campaign will serve as a great introduction to the world of the grimdark future.
Main image by Ensigame
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