Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2: A Deep Dive Review – Steam Deck and PS5 Impressions
For years, many Warhammer fans eagerly anticipated a sequel to Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine. My own journey began with Total War: Warhammer, leading me to explore the wider 40k universe, including titles like Boltgun and Rogue Trader. This led to my recent playthrough of Space Marine 2, across both Steam Deck and PS5, leveraging cross-progression and online capabilities.
This review is ongoing for two key reasons: thorough evaluation requires extensive cross-platform multiplayer testing, and official Steam Deck optimization is promised by Focus and Saber by year's end.
My initial impressions, after roughly 22 hours on both platforms using Proton GE 9-9 and Proton Experimental, are mixed. While the game's visual appeal is undeniable, its performance on the Steam Deck presents challenges. (Screenshots with performance overlays are from my Steam Deck OLED; 16:9 shots are from my PS5 playthrough).
Space Marine 2 delivers a visceral third-person shooter experience, blending brutality, stunning visuals, and engaging gameplay. The tutorial effectively introduces combat mechanics, leading to the Battle Barge hub for mission selection, cosmetic adjustments, and more.
The core gameplay loop is exceptional. Weapon handling feels precise, and the melee combat is particularly satisfying. While ranged combat is viable, the visceral impact of close-quarters fighting, amplified by brutal executions, is addictive. The campaign is enjoyable solo or in co-op, though I found defense missions less compelling.
Playing with a friend overseas, the game evoked the feeling of a high-budget co-op shooter reminiscent of the Xbox 360 era. Its addictive quality rivals that of 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 from Total War: Warhammer, Dawn of War, Boltgun, and Rogue Trader. Despite this, Space Marine 2 offers a refreshing experience, ranking among my favorite co-op games in years. While it's premature to declare it my favorite 40k game, the addictive Operations mode, class variety, and progression system keep me engaged.
The co-op experience, while excellent so far, requires further testing with random players post-launch. Cross-platform online functionality is a key area for future evaluation.
Visually, Space Marine 2 excels, particularly in 4K on PS5. The environments are incredibly detailed, with impressive texture work and lighting, bringing the world to life. This is further enhanced by superb voice acting and extensive customization options.
The in-game photo mode (single-player only) provides extensive control over framing, expressions, characters, FOV, and more. However, on Steam Deck, some effects appear suboptimal with FSR 2 and lower resolutions. The PS5 implementation is far superior.
The audio design is another highlight. While the music is good, it's the exceptional voice acting and sound design that truly stand out. The music effectively complements the gameplay but lacks the memorability for standalone listening.
PC Graphics and Control Options
The PC port, tested on Steam Deck, offers comprehensive graphics settings. While Epic Online Services is integrated, account linking isn't mandatory. Users can adjust display mode, resolution, render resolution, quality presets (Balanced, Performance, Ultra Performance), upscaling (TAA, FSR 2), dynamic resolution targets, V-sync, brightness, motion blur, and FPS limits. Four quality presets control various settings, including texture filtering, resolution, shadows, and effects.
DLSS and FSR 2 are supported at launch, with FSR 3 planned for later. I anticipate significant performance gains on Steam Deck once this is implemented. 16:10 support is also desired.
Control options include keyboard and mouse support, alongside full controller support. Disabling Steam Input resolved PlayStation button prompt display issues on Steam Deck. Adaptive trigger support is included, and PlayStation button prompts are correctly displayed with my DualSense controller, including wireless adaptive trigger functionality – a rare feature on PC.
Steam Deck Performance
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is technically playable on Steam Deck without configuration changes, but performance is currently suboptimal. Even at 1280x800 with low settings and FSR 2.0 at Ultra Performance, maintaining a stable 30fps is challenging, with frequent drops into the mid-20s, or lower. Dynamic upscaling attempts to target 30fps, but still experiences significant dips. While visually acceptable, the current performance is far from ideal. The game also occasionally fails to exit cleanly.
Steam Deck Multiplayer
Online multiplayer functions flawlessly on Steam Deck, with no apparent anti-cheat interference. Co-op sessions with a friend in Canada were successful, save for a few internet-related disconnections, likely attributable to pre-release server instability. Further testing with random players is pending.
PS5 Features
The PS5 version, tested in Performance mode, performs well, though a locked 60fps isn't achieved. Dynamic resolution adjustments are noticeable. 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 is operational, albeit with a two-day cooldown period between platform syncs. The final build's behavior remains to be confirmed.
Solo Play Value & Future Updates
A definitive assessment of solo play value requires further testing with populated servers. Eternal War (PvP) mode is yet to be evaluated.
Desired future updates include proper HDR support to enhance the game's stunning visuals, and haptic feedback for the DualSense controller.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a strong contender for Game of the Year, boasting superb gameplay, visuals, and audio. However, Steam Deck performance currently hinders a full recommendation on that platform. The PS5 version receives a strong recommendation, pending full cross-play testing. A final score will follow comprehensive multiplayer evaluation and post-launch patches.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Review Score: TBA
