Warhammer 40K Space Marine 2 Hands-On Impressions

by Chad Dufall

The Experience

Securing hands-on time with Space Marine 2 at Gamescom was nothing short of a herculean effort—one that required equal parts patience, luck, and sheer determination. The booth dedicated to this much-anticipated title had only six machines available at any given time, and to add to the frustration, two of them were out of commission for a significant part of the day. The interest in the game was immense, with a crowd of eager fans that far outnumbered the scant resources Focus Entertainment provided. The sight of six machines, struggling to handle the overwhelming demand, was almost symbolic of the challenge that lay ahead for anyone hoping to dive into this slice of Warhammer 40K action.

The situation was further complicated by a logistical issue: you couldn’t even line up in an orderly fashion to secure your turn. The booth was situated next to a fire exit, which meant that the entrance to the queue was frequently closed, adding another layer of unpredictability to an already challenging scenario. I found myself lingering near the booth, hoping for a break in the chaos. After what felt like an eternity of conspicuously waiting nearby, I managed to convince one of the helpful Xbox staff members to give me a discreet heads-up when the queue would open again. It was a nerve-wracking waiting game, but ultimately, my persistence paid off.

Getting to this point was a test of stubborn persistence, a stroke of luck, and the kindness of an awesome Xbox staff member who made the experience possible. The reward? A brief but thrilling opportunity to experience a slice of the *Space Marine 2* campaign in single-player mode. While the full game promises to launch with a three-player co-op mode and multiple multiplayer options, this demo focused solely on a solo mission. Still, even this small taste was enough to whet my appetite for what’s to come.

But seriously, Focus Entertainment—six machines? For a game with this level of anticipation? That decision alone turned what should have been an exciting and accessible experience into an exercise in patience and persistence. However, once I finally got my hands on the controller, the frustration melted away, replaced by the adrenaline rush of stepping into the boots of a Space Marine once again.

Hands-On

Each player’s hands-on experience with Space Marine 2 was limited to a mere 10 minutes—a tantalizingly brief window into what the full game will offer. The game was running on a PC, though the exact specifications were not disclosed. As I sat down at the machine, an Xbox staff member advised me to hit the “Continue” button to pick up where the previous player left off. This was a crucial tip, as it allowed me to bypass any cutscenes and jump straight into the action. With only 10 minutes to play, every second counted, and I wasn’t about to waste time watching cinematics.

As I hit the continue button, I found myself dropped into a dense, foreboding forest/swamp environment. The mission was straightforward but urgent: make my way toward an outpost that human infantry was desperately trying to hold. The atmosphere was immediately gripping, with the dense foliage and swampy terrain creating a sense of  imminent danger. The attention to detail in the environment was impressive, with the game’s graphics rendering the swamp in eerie, lifelike detail.

The enemies I encountered were two types of Tyranids—classic foes for any Warhammer 40K fan. The first were smaller, drone-like creatures that leaped and slashed at me with frenzied aggression. These were quick, vicious, and relentless, forcing me to stay on my toes and react quickly. The second type was a larger, more robust Tyranid that presented a different kind of challenge. These enemies spat venom from a distance, creating a new layer of threat, but they also had a more direct and brutal attack when I got too close.

Initially, I found myself relying heavily on my bolt gun, firing off rounds like a desperate maniac as I tried to keep the swarm at bay. But during a crucial moment—right in the middle of a reload—I was suddenly jumped by one of the smaller Tyranids. So I began doing what any besieged noob soldier would, panic spamming the melee button. What surprised me, however, was how effective and satisfying the melee combat was.

Melee attacks weren’t just a desperate move—they were a necessary and strategic part of combat. As I fought off the Tyranids, I realized that conserving ammo was critical, especially when facing the larger variants. The melee system allowed me to rip through the drone-like Tyranids with a brutal efficiency, and when I finally got close enough to one of the big guys, I could perform executions after sufficiently weakening them. The executions were a visceral highlight, with my character tearing off limbs or punching through the bodies of the alien scum in visually stunning sequences that felt incredibly rewarding.

The gunplay in Space Marine 2 also stood out. It was snappy, precise, and satisfying—exactly what you’d want from a game like this. The mechanics weren’t overly complicated, but they didn’t need to be. The bolt gun felt powerful, and blowing holes in the creepy crawlies from a distance was as gratifying as closing in for an execution. The balance between ranged and melee combat was well-executed, providing a dynamic and engaging experience that kept me on the edge of my seat.

After battling my way through the forest swamp, I eventually arrived at the outpost—a fortified position where human infantry was making a desperate stand. The scene was chaotic, with the infantry clearly outmatched and on the verge of being overwhelmed. They had shut the door to stem the onslaught of Tyranids, but it was clear they were in dire straits.

I ordered them to open the door, and they reluctantly complied, warning me of the danger that lay ahead. The tension was palpable as the door slowly creaked open—a process that, in typical video game fashion, took far longer than seemed necessary. Of course, this delay was more than just a narrative device; it was a signal for every Tyranid in the vicinity to swarm in, and they did so with terrifying speed.

This is where the “Swarm Engine” truly came into its own. The sheer number of enemies on screen was staggering, and the engine handled them all with ease. I began firing at the swarm from a distance, not really expecting to do much damage, but to my surprise, every shot I landed took down an enemy, even at the furthest ranges. This gave me a brief sense of control over the chaos, but it wasn’t long before the Tyranids were up close and personal, and the real battle began.

The ensuing chaos is almost impossible to describe in words. It was glorious, visceral, and utterly chaotic—exactly what you’d hope for in a game like Space Marine 2. Blood, guts, and limbs flew in every direction as I hacked, slashed, and shot my way through the horde. The visuals were top-tier, with the gore and carnage coating my shiny Space Marine armor in a gruesome display of victory. There were moments when I thought I’d be overwhelmed, but at the last possible second, I managed to clutch it out, beating back the rising tide of death with a combination of skill, determination, and a little bit of luck.

After what felt like an eternity of fighting, I finally managed to survive the onslaught long enough to retreat inside the outpost with the remaining infantry. The doors slammed shut behind us, sealing off the horde outside. As I mopped up the last of the stragglers with a few well-placed shots from my bolt gun and a final swing of my trusty chainsword, my playtime unfortunately came to an end.

The Verdict

Space Marine 2 manages to capture the essence of the Xbox 360/PS3 era of gaming in the best possible way, while wrapping it in a modern, ninth-gen package. The game’s stunning visuals, combined with its thrilling, horde-based battles, create an experience that is both nostalgic and fresh. The updated Swarm Engine allows for massive, chaotic battles that are a joy to experience, even in the short time I had with the game.

Saber Interactive appears to be on track to deliver a worthy sequel to one of Warhammer 40K’s most beloved titles. Space Marine 2 is shaping up to be a must-play, and I can’t recommend checking it out enough. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the series or a newcomer to the universe, this game promises to deliver an experience that is both epic in scope and deeply satisfying in execution. The only downside is that we’ll have to wait until its official release to fully immerse ourselves in the brutal, glorious world of Warhammer 40K once again.