Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

We all know that the Space Marine is now synonymous with the Warhammer franchise and that it justifies developing a game solely around the soldier. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the original, released over 13 years ago. It's a massive release for the franchise, but the question is, will it live up to the hype?

Despite franchise fans' general satisfaction with the original's hack-and-slash action, many felt much to be desired. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 attempts to rectify all that was wrong with a long development cycle to iron out all the kinks and provide one of the most immersive co-op action adventures we've seen in AAA gaming for a while. We're geared up and ready.

Tall, Armed, and Dangerous

We all know the space marine for the same reason; he's the ultimate cosmic warrior, armed to the teeth with a plethora of weaponry to combat intergalactic foes. Of course, players will return as the favorite Titus, the ultramarine lieutenant, to fend off foes as the Marines spearhead a crusade to reclaim lost worlds in the Recidious System.

As far as the story goes, players unfamiliar with the lore (admittedly, such as myself) may struggle following the complexity of the narrative. However, it won't mean much when the game's core focus is the brutal hack-and-slash action that pits your combat skills against various foes. Is it as engaging as we'd hope? Does it rectify the flaws of the original?

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a vast improvement over the first. Combat is diverse, enemies provide a challenge, and the arsenal to overcome obstacles is extensive. There are multiple classes, various environments, and different PvE modes to enjoy by yourself or with friends, tailored together with stunning visuals that represent the intensity of the intergalactic warzone.

Naturally, Warhammer 40,000 faces grief, and the game feels like it was made for playing with others. Enemy AI is better than ever, but your bot teammates will be frustrated doing not a hell of a lot as you progress through your missions. But despite some of the AI and mechanical quirks you'll encounter, this is nothing less than an excellent hack-and-slash game.

The Strongest in the Universe

A lot of thought and effort has been put into making the ambassador of the franchise a game worth playing for all. Despite the narrative arc being tricky for short-term fans, it becomes irrelevant when you gear up and immerse yourself in the intense combat that doesn't become tiresome for quite a while.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Fabulous hack-and-slash combat across multiple classes
• The multiplayer modes provide near-endless entertainment
• The visuals do an excellent job of creating chaotic battlefields

Cons:

• The narrative and lore can be complex to understand

One of my most anticipated games of 2024 is Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. I'm a big fan of the franchise and the first game that came out many, many years ago. I was so shocked when this was announced. It is a badass 3rd person action game. What I think is really neat about this game is that you do not need to be a massive Warhammer fan to appreciate this, you can appreciate it based on the fact it is an epic action game with a cool sci-fi setting.

A Long Time Coming

It is crazy to think that the original Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine game came out over a decade ago. I played the hell out of that game on the Xbox 360 and loved it. With Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 they are taking what they did there and improving on it in every way you could imagine. This is a big-budget, big-time action game that is going to truly blow people away. I know that some people compare this series to Gears of War due to the similarities with a Space Marine and a COG soldier, but this is not the same kind of cover shooting stuff you get in Gears 5. This is way more of a shoot first, run into battle kind of game.

A Returning Titus

While Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 does follow on from the events of the last game, I am 99.99 percent sure, that playing that game is not required. What I have learned about the story is that once again we play as that hulking badass that is Titus and he along with Gadriel and Chairon needs to lay waste to Tyranids. While this is a very story driven experience you do not have to just go solo. You play as Titus, but your friends can play as Gadriel and Chairon in multiplayer. Being able to play through this with friends is so freaking cool. The incredible presentation that the game has brings the story to life so well that you will feel like you are in the middle of an epic sci-fi action movie.

Hurt Then Hurt Some More

The gameplay of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is very “meaty” You have different ranged attacks that you can do and these are great for thinning out weaker enemies, but there is actually way more depth to the combat here than you may think. Stronger enemies will not be able to be dispatched of quite as easily. This is where the hard hitting melee combat comes into play. Getting close and putting a beating on them is key here, but you also have to parry and dodge and learn which attacks can be parried and which can be dodged. It makes for a very hard hitting and fun combat system that is easy to pick up and play, but it also offers you a very robust challenge.

With A Little Help From My Friends

While it is the campaign I am most excited about, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 also has a very robust multiplayer offering. There is a PvE mode where you can play as one of six classes, tactical, assault, vanguard, bulwark, sniper, and heavy. You get to build your own Space Marine as you and some buddies play through an epic multiplayer campaign. As well as this, you also have an awesome 6 vs 6 PvP mode as well. I can see me and my friends getting well and truly hooked on the multiplayer here. I love how they are offering both PvE and PvP multiplayer modes here, but I have already warned my friends, that I am not playing multiplayer until I have beaten the single-player campaign!

Pros:

• I love the sci-fi Warhammer story
• There are some great multiplayer modes here
• The game looks and sounds phenomenal
• Combat has a really heavy and meaty feel to it

Cons:

• I am not sure how long the single-player mode will be
• Will multiplayer mode get frequent updates?