Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2: A Deep Dive Review (Steam Deck & PS5)
Many have eagerly awaited Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 for years. My own journey began with Total War: Warhammer, sparking an interest in the broader 40k universe, leading me to explore titles like Boltgun and Rogue Trader. I initially sampled the first Space Marine on my Steam Deck, piquing my anticipation for the sequel's arrival. After its stunning reveal, I was ready.
Over the past week, I've logged approximately 22 hours with Space Marine 2, leveraging cross-progression across my Steam Deck and PS5, thoroughly testing both online and offline gameplay. This review is ongoing for two key reasons: a complete assessment necessitates comprehensive cross-platform multiplayer testing and official Steam Deck support, promised by Focus and Saber by year's end.
Given Space Marine 2's stunning visuals and cross-progression, I was keen to see its Steam Deck performance. The news is mixed.
Space Marine 2 is a visceral third-person shooter; brutal, beautiful, and fun, even for 40k newcomers. A concise tutorial introduces combat and movement mechanics before depositing you in the Battle Barge hub, where missions, game modes, and cosmetics are managed.
Gameplay is exceptional. Controls and weapons feel perfectly tuned. While some might favor ranged combat, I relished the visceral melee, the satisfying executions, and the sheer carnage against hordes of enemies before facing tougher foes. The campaign is enjoyable solo or with friends in co-op, although defense missions are less engaging.
Playing with a friend overseas, Space Marine 2 felt like a high-budget, modern take on Xbox 360-era co-op shooters—a rarity these days. It hooked me much like Earth Defense Force or Gundam Breaker 4. I hope Saber and Focus collaborate with SEGA to modernize the original game's campaign.
My 40k experience stems mainly from Total War: Warhammer, Dawn of War, Boltgun, and Rogue Trader. Despite this, Space Marine 2 is a breath of fresh air, ranking among my favorite co-op experiences in years. It's too early to declare it my favorite 40k game, but I'm compelled to pause this review and jump back in. Operations mode, with its varied classes and mission progression, is incredibly addictive.
While I haven't fully tested the full game's online with random players, my co-op experience has been stellar. I eagerly await testing the cross-platform online functionality.
Visually, on both PS5 (4K mode on my 1440p monitor) and Steam Deck, the game is stunning. The environments are breathtaking, teeming with enemies, and enhanced by impressive textures and lighting. The character voice acting, gear, and customization options further elevate the experience. The customization options allow for significant creative expression.
A photo mode (available in single-player) allows for adjustments to frames, expressions, characters, FOV, and more. On Steam Deck, some effects look suboptimal with FSR 2 and lower resolutions; however, the PS5 photo mode is exceptional.
Audio-wise, while the music is good and fits the game perfectly, it's not memorable enough for standalone listening. The voice acting and sound design, however, are top-tier.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Graphics Options
The PC port (tested on Steam Deck) offers extensive graphics options: display mode, resolution, render resolution, quality presets (Balanced, Performance, Ultra Performance), resolution upscaling (TAA, FSR 2), dynamic resolution target, v-sync, brightness, motion blur, FPS limit, and individual settings for textures, shadows, ambient occlusion, reflections, and more. DLSS and FSR 2 are included, with FSR 3 planned post-launch. 16:10 support is absent but hopefully coming.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Control Options
Keyboard and mouse controls are supported, alongside full controller support. Initially, PlayStation button prompts didn't display on Steam Deck by default; disabling Steam Input resolved this. Adaptive trigger support is present, and button remapping is available. DualSense support, including adaptive triggers, works wirelessly on PC.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Performance
While technically playable on Steam Deck without configuration changes, performance is less than ideal. Even at 1280x800 with low settings and FSR 2.0, maintaining a stable 30fps is challenging, with frequent dips below. Dynamic upscaling aims for 30fps but still experiences drops. The game sometimes doesn't exit cleanly.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Multiplayer
Online multiplayer functions flawlessly on Steam Deck, with no anti-cheat interference. Co-op sessions with a friend in Canada were smooth, aside from occasional internet-related disconnections (likely due to pre-release servers).
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PS5 Features
Performance mode on PS5 provides a mostly excellent experience, although a locked 60fps isn't achieved, and dynamic resolution/upscaling is noticeable in intense battles. Load times are fast, and PS5 Activity Cards enhance usability. Gyro support is currently absent.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Cross-Save Progression
Cross-progression between Steam and PS5 is functional, with a two-day cooldown period between platform syncs.
Is Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Worth It for Solo Play?
A definitive answer requires further testing of online matchmaking and Eternal War (PvP) mode.
Desired Features for Future Updates
Post-launch support is expected, with HDR support being a key desired addition to enhance the game's already impressive visuals. Haptic feedback on DualSense would also be a welcome improvement.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a strong contender for Game of the Year. While further multiplayer testing is needed, the gameplay is superb, and the visuals and audio are top-notch. I currently do not recommend it for Steam Deck due to performance issues but highly recommend it on PS5. A full review with a final score will follow once online multiplayer and patches are fully assessed.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Review Score: TBA
