Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, the highly anticipated action game from Saber Interactive and Focus Entertainment, is gearing up to be a major release this year. I recently had the opportunity to go hands-on with the game, experiencing two Operations mode missions and the Voidsong campaign mission. While the game boasts a captivating blend of action and intense battles, the experience is significantly impacted by the shortcomings of its AI companions.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 offers a departure from its predecessor, allowing for online campaign co-op for up to three players. Players take control of Captain Titus, the former Ultramarines captain, alongside AI-controlled squadmates Chairon and Gadriel. The gameplay is thrilling, creating a genuine “against all odds” feel, making it an engaging co-op shooter. However, the effectiveness of the game hinges heavily on having friends to play with, as the AI often falls short of expectations.
Space Marine 2 throws players into the brutal world of Warhammer 40,000, putting them in the heavily armored boots of a Space Marine, a gene-enhanced soldier fighting in a millennia-long war. The game features a diverse arsenal of weapons, including Melta Guns, Carbines, Boltguns, Power Fists, and Power Swords, all utilized in pulse-pounding third-person shooter action.
The Voidsong campaign mission, which I experienced, is a highlight of the game so far. Taking place in the middle of the story, it sees the Ultramarines battling through a Tyranid-infested city to aid a Cadian regiment. The mission culminates in a challenging boss fight against Imurah, a Thousand Sons sorcerer. The battle is divided into two phases, with Imurah summoning Rubric Marines and Tzaangors in the first phase, and teleporting strikes in the second. However, this battle exposes one of the game’s most glaring issues – poor squadmate AI.
While the AI companions do provide some assistance, such as reviving the player when incapacitated, they often act passively and fail to effectively engage enemies. In the Imurah boss fight, Chairon simply waited for Imurah to reappear before attacking him in melee, while Gadriel barely fired his weapon, as if infected by the Chaos God of Relaxation and Inactivity. This issue extends to Operations missions, where AI companions struggled to deal with flying units like the Tyranid Zoanthrope, leaving them free to bombard the squad with psychic and bio blasts.
Operations missions in Space Marine 2 offer replayable experiences for groups of up to three players, allowing them to earn XP and requisition, the game’s currency used for unlocking perks and cosmetics. The two available missions during the preview build, Inferno and Decapitation, showcase the game’s spectacular action. Inferno, set in a promethium refinery near a jungle, requires players to destroy Tyranids and the facility using explosive charges. Decapitation, on the other hand, sends players back to the city to hunt down a Hive Tyrant. Both missions are filled with thrilling sequences where hordes of Tyranids, ranging from Hormagaunts to Tyranid Warriors, swarm the player’s position, creating a chaotic and immersive experience reminiscent of games like Left 4 Dead, Vermintide, Darktide, World War Z, and Starship Troopers.
Space Marine 2 incorporates a class system with six options, each offering unique loadouts and abilities. These include the Assault class, known for its mobility and verticality with its Jump Pack; the Sniper, capable of cloaking and delivering deadly shots; and the Heavy, who can cast an Iron Halo barrier to block ranged damage. Only one of each class can be present in a three-player squad, preventing multiple Snipers from cloaking throughout a mission. The Tactical class, with its Plasma Incinerator and Chainsword, provides a balanced approach, while the Bulwark, equipped with a Power Fist and the ability to deploy a Chapter Banner, focuses on close-quarters combat and squad support. The game also features Gun Strikes, critical shots triggered after perfect parries and dodges, and brutal execution maneuvers that are performed on stunned enemies.
While Space Marine 2 promises exciting multiplayer gameplay, the solo experience can be frustrating due to AI issues. Only human players can perform context-sensitive actions related to mission objectives, leaving the AI companions to simply follow the player around. Furthermore, AI teammates do not automatically ping medical supplies or ammo, a feature that is incredibly helpful in games like Vermintide. Adding to the frustration, players cannot choose the classes of their AI companions, leading to situations where a player may be forced to play a Bulwark class with AI teammates who primarily rely on ranged weapons.
Players earn XP and requisition for their class’s loadout and cosmetics, including chapter insignias, color schemes, and designs for various Chaos Space Marine chapters. However, all progression, including unlocking perks and cosmetics, is dependent on online play. Disconnecting or playing offline will halt progress, potentially leading to a significant grind. The game’s reliance on requisition for unlocking perks and cosmetics can make it a frustrating experience, especially for solo players.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 shows immense potential as an exciting multiplayer game, but solo players might want to manage their expectations. The game’s AI shortcomings could significantly hinder the experience, especially for those seeking a satisfying solo campaign. While the game delivers unrivaled action and delivers the feeling of being one of the Emperor’s angels of death, it is important to acknowledge these shortcomings and hope for improvements before its release on September 9th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Those who purchase the Gold Edition or Ultra Edition will have early access four days before the official release.
