Even though it arrived over a decade after the original, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 remarkably stays true to the first Space Marine, a cult favorite that’s sorely needed a modern revamp. Just in time for Black Friday, Space Marine 2 has dropped in price, with physical copies on sale for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. It’s the most affordable rate we’ve seen for this game on any platform. While the PC version doesn’t enjoy such a deep discount, you can grab Steam codes from Fanatical for $52.79, down from the usual $59.99.
Space Marine 2 doesn’t bother with the flashy extras that many of today’s top action games rely on because it simply doesn’t need them. The storyline unfolds in the distant future of the 41st millennium, a time defined by endless warfare. Step back into the boots of Titus, an Ultramarine dedicated to serving the Emperor of Mankind, as he returns to the battlefield after spending a couple hundred years away from the front lines.
The Warhammer 40,000 universe is nothing short of complex and intricate, but that makes it all the more intriguing. I’ve poured over the codices, flipped through rulebooks, delved into novels set millennia in the past to learn about the Space Marines’ beginnings, and chased down fan theories online. Space Marine 2 stands out because of its accessibility. You won’t find yourself constantly searching for more context as you play. Yet, it doesn’t shy away from embracing the full 40K lore. You’ll notice the robotic cherubs and mechanized cult members milling about on Titus’ battle barge. The main campaign’s environment perfectly captures the grandiose, gothic, and sometimes absurd essence of the Imperium of Man and the Imperial Guard.
But the real star of the game is, without a doubt, the combat. You’ll guide Titus as he tears through endless waves of Tyranids, tearing them apart with his gauntlets and crushing them under the weight of his boots. Toss in some exciting weaponry, like a flamethrower to char those pesky Rippers or a sleek laser sniper rifle, and you’ve got yourself an exhilarating escapade.
