Now one month out from release, we got an opportunity to go hands-on with the highly anticipated sequel to 2011’s Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine. Arriving from developer Saber Interactive who has inherited the series from former developer Relic, this hybrid shooter/slasher proves a worthy successor with an emphasis on pure, unwavering, cathartic action.
A mix of Gears of War and DOOM, Space Marine 2 is unashamed to be a brutal and gory action game. Linear in design and perhaps lacking somewhat in the originality department, the game makes up for any shortcomings with its unadulterated focus on punchy and weighty combat. There’s an elegance to the design ideology here that pushes everything else to the side, ensuring that players first and foremost get to experience action-heavy fun.
You take on the role of a Space Marine. An 8-foot tall super soldier with an arsenal of weaponry and combat proficiency that allows them to deal with the swarms of Tyranid invaders. It’s a 3rd person game with the camera following closely behind the player, putting you right into the heart of the action and amongst the blood and gore of ripped-apart foes. With 3-player coop on offer and a suite of abilities that include parries, dodges, combos, executes and more—it’s impossible to ignore Space Marine 2’s instantly satisfying appeal.
The preview on offer showcased 3 missions, one that’s part of the game’s campaign where y ou play as Titus and two that are described as PvE missions, allowing you to play as your own customised Space Marine. Aside from some lip-dubbing issues that are likely to be fixed for the game’s full launch in September, the preview seemed to be very polished and fully featured. An exciting offering of what’s to come.
“…waves of foes crash into and over the environment like alien liquid.”
Space Marine 2 is a power fantasy through and through. It’s weighty and powerful, impactful and brutal. The visceral nature of the game’s combat means there’s rarely a moment of tedium, as the moment-to-moment offering is so solid. Perhaps most impressive is the amount of enemies on screen at any given time, with swarms of Tyranids piling up at walls, soaring overhead, or battling other Marines in the background of scenes. It’s here where you can see the DNA of past Saber Interactive titles, most notably World War Z, as waves of foes crash into and over the environment like alien liquid.
The storyline we got to experience in the preview was nothing special, certainly a story told in many games and media before it. Though it undeniably sets the scene for the gameplay. Cutting between action and cutscenes through fairly linearly designed levels can feel a little old-school, though there’s also a lovely familiarity to the whole thing. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. And the sense of grandeur created by the environment design and backed up by the cutscenes works beautifully to amplify the action on-screen.
The game’s opening preview mission is set on the backdrop of cold and hard stone, steel, and concrete. There’s a toughness to the world design that feels cohesive to the gameplay and makes for a fantastic canvas for alien blood and guts. Venturing deeper into more earthy areas and gothic-inspired architecture, you start to feel more connected to the world on offer. It’s beautiful in a brutal kind of way. Space Marine 2 knows what it’s good at and it sticks to it unwaveringly. Leaping high into the sky and then down onto a swarm of aliens, slashing and stomping through foes at close range, and executing enemies with devastating finishers are all perfect examples of the game’s best offerings. Play with 2 other friends and those elements are simply amplified, making the combat feel like a battle of both wits and bullets. Space Marine 2 has its challenges, which makes using your entire arsenal of weapons and tactics mandatory.
Launching September 9 for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, there’s a lot to be excited about for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. Will it change the landscape of gaming or innovate in any seriously impressive ways? Unlikely. Will it offer something undeniably fun and engaging? Absolutely.
About the Author
Elliot Attard
He/Him
Beer aficionado, PC gamer, TV show binge-watcher, music lover, and elite member of high society - Elliot possesses all of the qualities needed to project his word thoughts straight into your eye holes.
