Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2: A Deep Dive Review (Steam Deck & PS5)

For years, many anticipated Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. My journey began after playing Total War: Warhammer, leading me to explore other 40k titles like Boltgun and Rogue Trader. Months ago, I briefly sampled the original Space Marine on my Steam Deck. The recent reveal of Space Marine 2 ignited my excitement, prompting an extensive playthrough across both Steam Deck and PS5, leveraging cross-progression and online capabilities.

This review is ongoing for two key reasons: thorough cross-platform multiplayer testing and the pending official Steam Deck support promised by Focus and Saber by year's end. My Steam Deck OLED provided the performance overlay screenshots, while 16:9 shots are from my PS5 playthrough. Testing utilized Proton GE 9-9 and Proton Experimental.

Gameplay and Campaign:

Space Marine 2 is a visceral third-person shooter, equally brutal, stunning, and engaging. The tutorial seamlessly introduces combat and movement. The Battle Barge serves as the central hub for mission selection, mode choices, cosmetic adjustments, and more.

Combat is exceptional; weapons and controls feel perfectly tuned. While ranged combat is viable, the melee system is particularly satisfying, with brutal executions adding to the visceral experience. The campaign is enjoyable solo or with friends in co-op, although defense missions feel less engaging.

Playing with a friend overseas, Space Marine 2 evoked the feel of a high-budget Xbox 360-era co-op shooter – a rarity these days. It's highly addictive, comparable to Earth Defense Force or Gundam Breaker 4. I hope Saber and Focus collaborate with SEGA to modernize the original game's campaign.

My Warhammer 40,000 knowledge stems primarily from Total War: Warhammer, Dawn of War, Boltgun, and Rogue Trader. Space Marine 2 is a refreshing and enjoyable co-op experience, a contender for my favorite co-op game in years. Whether it surpasses my other favorite 40k games remains to be seen.

Online Co-op and Multiplayer:

My pre-release co-op experience was outstanding. A full assessment awaits the official launch, including testing with random players. I'm eager to explore the online functionality further.

Visuals and Audio:

On PS5 (4K mode on my 1440p monitor) and Steam Deck, the visuals are breathtaking. Environments are incredibly detailed, and the sheer number of enemies adds to the immersive experience. The character voice acting, gear, and customization options are top-notch, allowing for creative expression.

The photo mode (single-player) offers extensive customization options, although some effects look less polished on Steam Deck with FSR 2 and lower resolutions. The PS5 version's photo mode is exceptional.

The audio is equally impressive. While the music is good, it doesn't stand out as memorable outside the game context. However, the voice acting and sound design are top-tier.

PC Port Features (Steam Deck):

The PC port (tested on Steam Deck) includes Epic Online Services (no Epic account linking required), extensive graphics options (resolution, upscaling – TAA, FSR 2, quality presets, etc.), and full controller support with PlayStation button prompts (Steam Input off). It also supports adaptive triggers wirelessly on PC.

DLSS and FSR 2 are supported (FSR 3 planned post-launch). I hope for future 16:10 support.

Steam Deck Performance:

While technically playable on Steam Deck without configuration changes, performance is currently suboptimal. Even at 1280x800 with low settings and FSR 2.0, maintaining a stable 30fps is challenging, with frequent dips. The game often struggles to maintain a consistent framerate, even at lower resolutions. I hope future optimizations improve performance.

Online multiplayer functions flawlessly on Steam Deck, with no anti-cheat interference.

PS5 Impressions:

Performance mode on PS5 is generally excellent, though not consistently locked at 60fps. Dynamic resolution scaling seems present. Load times are fast, and PS5 Activity Cards enhance usability. Gyro support is currently absent.

Cross-Save Progression:

Cross-save functionality between Steam and PS5 works well, although a two-day cooldown period exists between syncs.

Solo Play Value and Future Updates:

A full assessment of solo play value awaits post-launch server population analysis. I plan to test Eternal War (PvP) mode. Desired future updates include HDR support and haptic feedback.

Conclusion:

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a strong Game of the Year contender. Gameplay is superb; visuals and audio are exceptional. While I recommend the PS5 version currently, Steam Deck performance needs improvement. A full review and score will follow post-launch multiplayer testing and patching.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Review Score: TBA