Space Marine 2 Review: A Battle Brother’s Return to Glory
It's not easy to switch from PGA Tour 2K25 to Warhammer 40000: Space Marine 2, but the unique universe of the latter makes it a good candidate for my review, even if I have just 30 hours logged in. So these are my first impressions, biased, and limited to what jumped out to me.
Key Moments That Would Command Your Respect
Space Marine 2 shines brightest in combat, even though it falters along the way. There is something primitive in carving through Tyranid gaunts using a chainsword; as Titus tears apart one such enemy, viscera splatters across the screen while the camera zooms in on him. Blood-soaked, over-the-top, but brilliant nonetheless! You were not just playing as Titus; rather, you were embodying some very angry Emperor’s finest.
However, there are also a number of encounters that seem to be included solely to prevent the game from ending too soon. Main campaign gameplay often involves completion of uninspired objectives: wait for a progress bar to fill up while standing in a circle, protect a stationary object from several waves of enemies, or rush between consoles, pushing buttons as fast as possible. Such scenes lack tension and make you feel like you’re only checking off tasks on your list rather than taking part in an epic storyline.
PvP and the Call to Chaos
The inclusion of a PvP multiplayer mode pits loyalist Space Marines against the corrupted forces of Chaos, and it’s a solid if unspectacular addition. Tabletop fans will be thrilled by the sight of various Chaos Legions, such as the plague-ridden Death Guard or the berserk World Eaters, brought to life with vivid details. Matches tend to be frenetic and bloody affairs where melee combat takes center stage like few other shooter games do.
Nonetheless, the maps and goals seem recycled from Operations – co-op mode. The design feels the same-y – capture objective or defend against enemy waves – it gets boring quickly. It’s fun for short bursts, but lacks the lasting power required for it to become an integral part of someone’s multiplayer rotation.
Operations: A Baptism in Fire
Besides its solid campaign, Space Marine 2 adds PvE Operations into the equation, which made me question why I would ever want to go back into solo play again. These missions that can have up to three players involved are like cacophonies of violence where your skill and camaraderie get put to the test. Each operation represents a battlefield filled with objectives, environmental hazards, and swarms of Tyranids as well.
The progression system adds depth to strategy and replay value. Devastator, Assault, and Tactical are the three classes, each with its own skill tree and weapon loadouts, allowing you to customize your playstyle. My Assault Marine’s jetpack quickly became an addiction; there’s a primal joy in slamming into a mob of xenos from above, scattering their bodies like leaves in a storm. And the customization options—from armor decals to weapon mods—let you imprint your personal chapter onto the battlefield.
There are also difficulty modes that make sure it is never boring for those who buy PS5 FPS games. On higher settings, they are not just worms; Tyranids become careful creatures hunting for prey. Expect many coordinated attacks on enemy squadrons, or be punished for letting pride come before a fall. It’s hard but not unfair—a gauntlet fit only for the Emperor’s chosen ones.
Visuals and Atmosphere: A Living Codex
Warhammer 40K has forever portrayed the universe on a large scale. This is evidenced by the giant gothic architecture, endless armies, and sky that seems to be pressing hard on you. Space Marine 2 takes into account all these details with great accuracy. The game’s environments are highly desolate yet vibrant. From one moment fighting at a fortress’s parapets under attack, the next submerged in smoke-filled remains of a manufactorum, where air is thick with ash, and the faint sound of fighting can still be heard from faraway distances. Lighting, texture mapping, and particles contribute to this grizzly alternate.
Specifically worthy of attention among Tyranids. Their animations feel uncannily natural—from crawling along walls to oozing ichor when torn apart—their movements are disgusting but organic. It’s as though each confrontation is against an invincible power of nature that can’t be beaten down or subdued, while at the same time, their visuals add more dread.
Even sound design becomes critical, too. Each audio cue, such as the hum of a bolt gun, chainsaw-like whine from a chainsword, or low roars made by Tyranid monsters, has been finely adjusted so as to never let one relax completely. Not forgetting music either: a mixture of anthems and loud orchestral pieces that make every battle look like the end part of an action-packed film about war, whose peak always feels near.