Despite being a newcomer to the Warhammer 40,000 universe, I have been ridiculously excited for Space Marine 2. Unlike longtime fans, who have been waiting for roughly 13 years for the continuation of Titus’ journey, I played the first game just a few weeks ago in anticipation of this sequel. My excitement initially came from the fact that Space Marine 2 was being developed by Saber Interactive and that the game would be built on World War Z‘s Swarm Engine. That horde-based design of gameplay retooled to deliver a sci-fi power fantasy was an instant wishlist for me.
Over the weekend, having gotten early access to the game along with fellow Gold/Ultra Edition owners, I finished the campaign and dipped my toes into the Operations mode. As I played through Space Marine 2, I couldn’t shake a sense of déjà vu. It wasn’t just that it was another chapter in Titus’ journey, but a familiar rhythm echoed across other sci-fi sequels. Namely, it reminded me of the recent Alien: Romulus and, more popularly, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. These sequels all follow a similar formula, blending fan service with staggering visual setpieces, but they often tread the same narrative ground.
Before I go any further into explaining that thought, I want to put out a minor spoiler alert. I won’t give away any major plot points but vague ideas that might ruin some fun.
So let’s get into some broad examples to set the stage. I will use The Force Awakens here instead of Alien: Romulus since it’s an older movie with a more popular plot. If you break down the general story beats of Episode IV: A New Hope, you’ll find many of them in Episode VII. The destruction of a superweapon? Check. An important droid with a quirky personality? Check. A masked Sith as the antagonist? Check.
Now let’s talk about the 40K universe. (MINOR SPOILERS FOR SM2) In Space Marine 2, much like the first game, Titus will make landfall, load a massive gun, use a bomb that will definitely (not) stop the invasion at hand, lead a team featuring at least one “by the codex” teacher’s pet, work with a confident human woman leading the Militarum, bring down a tall spire, and watch as Chaos influences someone to start something beyond their comprehension. And that’s not including examples I couldn’t find a way to vaguely suggest. Of course, that’s not to say there aren’t surprises along the way. And I want to state explicitly that I really enjoyed the ride. It’s just that you can pretty accurately predict certain story beats and some of it can end up feeling familiar as a result.
Repetition can be a double-edged sword. While these familiar beats might feel comfortable for longtime fans (perhaps even offering nostalgia-based fan service), they can also feel stale. We saw this criticism with The Force Awakens, which was praised for its visuals and pacing but critiqued for its originality.
Space Marine 2 and Alien: Romulus don’t just succeed off the sheer spectacle alone. Of course, thanks to that beautiful Swarm Engine, the horde-based gameplay of Space Marine 2 feels incredible, and the visuals are breathtaking. Alien, to some, had perfected the setup and execution of a perfect sci-fi horror. So much like how Romulus reiterates that formula with (mostly) seamless CGI and the use of practical creature effects, Space Marine 2 takes the tried and tested mechanics and pacing that fueled the power fantasy of being a towering Ultramarine in the first game and makes it run smoother and look good doing it. (Not to sound reductive in either case.)
Furthermore, in both these cases (excluding The Force Awakens), after repeating a lot of the same motions as their inspiration, Space Marine 2 and Alien: Romulus differ at the end, offering a twist on their predecessors’ formulas that I think are as good as their originals, just for a different reason. Speaking of Space Marine 2 specifically, the ending gives players a taste of the “war” part of the universe before similarly setting up more to come. Hopefully, not in another 13 years.
This isn’t to be taken as my full review of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, but my thoughts are positive. Other than some repetitive mechanics while moving from one level to another and occasional hiccups in performance and connectivity, the game doesn’t really have any demerits. Ultimately, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 may walk some well-trodden ground, but its visuals, gameplay mechanics, and sheer scale make it worth experiencing for newcomers and fans alike. Befitting to the Warhammer universe, landscapes in this game would be right at home on r/birdsforscale. For more on my thoughts on Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, check out our YouTube channel and tune in to our weekly podcast.
