For years, fans have eagerly awaited the sequel to Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine, and I was no exception, having discovered the franchise through Total War: Warhammer. Since then, I've delved into numerous Warhammer 40,000 games, with favorites like Boltgun and Rogue Trader. My curiosity led me to try the original Space Marine on Steam Deck months ago, and the recent reveal of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 only heightened my anticipation.
Over the past eight days, I've invested around 22 hours into Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, playing across my Steam Deck and PS5, utilizing cross-progression and testing the online features. This review is in progress for two reasons: firstly, I believe a comprehensive score requires testing cross-platform multiplayer and public server performance. Secondly, Focus and Saber have committed to providing official Steam Deck support by year's end.
Given the stunning performance of the original Space Marine on Steam Deck and the promise of cross-progression in the sequel, I was eager to see how Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 would fare on the handheld. Here's a rundown of the gameplay, online co-op, visuals, PC port features, PS5 features, and more. Note that performance overlay screenshots are from my Steam Deck OLED, while 16:9 screenshots are from my PS5 playthrough, with testing done using Proton GE 9-9 and Proton Experimental.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a third-person action shooter that delivers a brutal, visually stunning, and engaging experience, welcoming both veterans and newcomers to the Warhammer 40,000 universe. After a concise yet effective tutorial that introduces combat and movement basics, you're transported to the Battle Barge, your hub for mission selection, game mode choices, cosmetic adjustments, and more.
The gameplay is exceptional, with intuitive controls and satisfying weapon handling. Whether you prefer ranged combat or the visceral thrill of melee, the executions and combat dynamics are exhilarating. The campaign shines both solo and in co-op, though I found defense missions less enjoyable, yet they were implemented well enough not to detract from the overall experience.
Playing with a friend abroad, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 felt like a high-budget revival of classic co-op shooters from the Xbox 360 era, akin to Earth Defense Force or the recent Gundam Breaker 4. My experience with Warhammer 40,000 spans Total War Warhammer, Dawn of War, Boltgun, and Rogue Trader, yet Space Marine 2 has been a refreshing and addictive co-op adventure, especially in Operations mode with its class variety and progression system.
Though I haven't played with randoms yet, the co-op experience so far has been stellar. I'm eager to explore the online features further once the game launches with cross-progression and cross-platform play.
Visually, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is breathtaking on both PS5 and Steam Deck. On PS5, the 4K mode on a 1440p monitor showcases the game's detailed environments, enemy swarms, texture quality, and lighting. The attention to detail extends to character voice acting and customization options, allowing players to express their creativity fully.
The photo mode in single-player is a standout feature, allowing for frame adjustments, character expressions, and more. However, on Steam Deck, using FSR 2 at lower resolutions can affect the quality of certain frames or effects. On PS5, the photo mode is a delight.
While I hoped for Bolt Thrower's Realm of Chaos on the soundtrack, the actual music is fitting, though not particularly memorable outside of gameplay. The real highlight is the top-tier voice acting and sound design, which greatly enhances the immersive experience.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Graphics Options
Regarding the PC port, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 installs Epic Online Services but doesn't require an Epic account link. The game offers a robust set of graphics options, including display settings, resolution scaling, and various quality presets that adjust texture filtering, shadows, ambient occlusion, reflections, and more. DLSS and FSR 2 are supported at launch, with FSR 3 planned for post-launch. I hope for full 16:10 support in future updates to enhance the Steam Deck experience.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Control Options
Control options on PC include keyboard and mouse as well as full controller support. Initially, PlayStation button prompts weren't visible on Steam Deck without disabling Steam Input, which also revealed an adaptive trigger option. The game supports Adaptive Triggers over Bluetooth with a DualSense controller, a noteworthy feature for PC players.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Performance
On Steam Deck, the game had some boot-up freezing issues with default Proton, but none with Proton GE 9-9. While technically playable without configuration changes, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 struggles to maintain a locked 30fps at 1280x800 with the low preset and FSR 2.0 at Ultra Performance, often dipping into the mid-20s during intense combat. Even with dynamic upscaling for a 30fps target, it frequently drops to the low 20s. The game also occasionally fails to exit properly, requiring manual closure.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Multiplayer Impressions
Online play on Steam Deck works smoothly, with no issues related to anti-cheat or Proton compatibility. I enjoyed several hours of co-op with a friend in Canada, though I experienced some internet-related disconnections. I'm looking forward to testing the game in a more public environment post-launch.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PS5 Features – DualSense, Activity Cards, and Performance Mode
On PS5, the performance mode is solid, though not locked at 60fps, with some dynamic resolution or upscaling causing blurriness in large fights. Load times are quick, and the game supports PS5 Activity Cards for seamless mode switching and save file access. Unfortunately, there's no gyro support at this time.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Cross Save Progression Explained
Cross-progression between Steam and PS5 is functional, though with a two-day cooldown before syncing back or to another platform. I've reached out to Focus to confirm if this will change at full launch.
Is Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Worth It for Solo Play Only?
It's too early to fully assess the solo experience due to the limited server population pre-launch. I'll update this section once I've experienced the game with random players and tested the matchmaking in Operations and Eternal War modes.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Features I Want to See in Updates and Patches
With promised post-launch support, I'm hopeful for improvements in Steam Deck performance and the addition of proper HDR support to enhance the game's already impressive visuals. While the DualSense implementation is commendable, I look forward to potential haptic feedback updates, as mentioned in the developer's blog.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a strong contender for game of the year. While I need more time to fully evaluate the online features with cross-play at launch, the gameplay, visuals, and sound design are exceptional. I recommend playing on PS5 for now, as the Steam Deck experience needs further optimization. I'll provide a final score once I've had ample time with the multiplayer and after some patches have been released.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Review Score: TBA
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