Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Early metrics were promising, but interest in Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 has grown rapidly since the last round of previews. Saber Interactive and Focus Entertainment kick off the hot autumn gaming season with an AAA highlight.

When Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine, developed by Relic Entertainment and published by THQ, was released on 6 September 2011, it met with mixed reviews. It sold well, but not well enough to justify the originally planned trilogy. Over time, however, a loyal fanbase developed. Ten years later, Saber Interactive (World War Z) and publisher Focus Entertainment surprised everyone with the announcement of the second part. The game takes place nearly two hundred years after the events of the first game, which ended with Lieutenant Titus being arrested by the Inquisition. Having been cleared of wrongdoing, his reinstatement marks the starting point of Space Marine 2. No knowledge of the first game's storyline is required to play.

Space Marine 2 features a campaign that, according to the publisher, lasts around 12 hours and can be played solo or cooperatively with up to three people. The player takes the role of Demetrian Titus, a member of the Ultramarines chapter of the Space Marines. He's accompanied by two battle brothers: Chairon and Gadriel. As genetically enhanced super-soldiers, the Space Marines' fight against the relentless Tyranid hordes. Hordes is the operative word here, as the number of enemies that can be engaged in melee and ranged combat is impressive. The whole experience is orchestrated by Saber's Swarm engine, which has already unleashed massive zombie hordes on players in World War Z.

"When World War Z came around with its incredible Swarm Engine, as Warhammer 40,000 fans ourselves, we immediately thought of the Tyranid hordes, and everything began to click. Supported by Focus Entertainment, which had already worked on Warhammer titles at the time, we had all the ingredients to create a worthy successor to the legendary Space Marine." - Tim Willits, Chief Creative Officer at Saber Interactive

In addition to the campaign, there are PvE missions against swarms of alien creatures, demons and traitors to the Empire, as well as PvP battles in 6-on-6 skirmishes (Annihilation, Seize Ground and Capture & Control) as in the previous game. There are six classes (Tactical, Assault, Vanguard, Bulwark, Sniper and Heavy) that can be customised both in terms of gameplay and cosmetics. Players will be able to use armoury data and experience gained on the battlefield to add 25 perks to each class to customise their play style. Armory data will also allow players to level up their weapons with each new mission, unlocking more variants and cosmetics.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 will be available on 9 September for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), and will be playable from 5 September for those who pre-order the Gold or Ultra Edition. The Season Pass will include more cosmetics. All gameplay additions (missions, enemies or weapons) will be free to all players. Space Marine 2 does not have an in-game shop or microtransactions.

For the French publisher, the game is one of the company's biggest releases to date, if not its biggest. Plaion is handling the distribution of the physical editions.

Conclusion

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has a fantastic atmosphere on the battlefields and a lot to offer in terms of PvP and PvE. It is one of the highlights of the year.