Even after more than ten years since its last incarnation, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 stands as a shockingly loyal tribute to its original predecessor—a cult favorite many fans have eagerly awaited an update for. As luck would have it, this Black Friday, physical copies of Space Marine 2 for both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are going for a steal. If you’re eyeing the PC version, Fanatical has a pretty sweet deal on Steam codes, dropping the price down to $52.79 from $59.99.
In an era where a lot of big action games come loaded with extras, Space Marine 2 stays refreshingly straightforward because it just doesn’t need all the frills. Set way into the future in the 41st millennium, the setting is clear—endless war. You play as Titus, an Ultramarine who’s back on duty after a couple of centuries of downtime, ready to dive into battle once more.
For those familiar with the vast, intricate universe of Warhammer 40,000, it’s a rabbit hole filled with codices, rulebooks, and narrative-rich novels delving into the 10,000-year-long tales of the Space Marines. But what stood out for me in Space Marine 2 is its remarkable ease of play. You can just jump in without needing to constantly lookup lore. However, it still nails the 40K vibe, featuring elements like robotic cherubs and the mechanized machine cult on Titus’ battle barge. In the main campaign, you’re treated to a striking representation of the Imperium of Man’s gothic, larger-than-life motifs.
Where the game truly shines is in its combat. Titus doesn’t just dance through crowds of Tyranids; he demolishes them, tearing them apart with his gauntlets and stomping them underfoot. Plus, with cool weaponry like flamethrowers for roasting Rippers and laser sniper rifles, you’re in for an exhilarating ride.
