Emerging years after its forerunner, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 impressively mirrors the spirit of the beloved original, Space Marine, a game that has maintained its cult status and truly deserved a comeback. Good news for gamers: Space Marine 2 is currently available at a bargain price for Black Friday, with physical editions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X hitting their lowest prices yet. Although the PC version doesn’t enjoy quite the same discount, Fanatical offers Steam codes for $52.79, down from the usual $59.99.
Space Marine 2 doesn’t bother with unnecessary flashiness you might find in other blockbuster action titles. It’s set far into the 41st millennium’s perpetual war, following Titus, an Ultramarine, as he returns to duty for the Emperor of Mankind after a couple of hundred years on the sidelines.
The Warhammer 40,000 universe is famously intricate, packed with codices, rulebooks, and novels that stretch back thousands of years explaining the origins of the Space Marines. For decades, I’ve immersed myself in these stories and fan theories. Space Marine 2 stands out because it’s incredibly easy to pick up and dive into, without needing to constantly pause the game to Google story elements. It perfectly encapsulates the Warhammer 40K atmosphere—from robotic cherubs and mechanized cultists to the imposing battle barge of Titus. The main campaign’s backdrop effectively captures the grandiose, gothic absurdities of the Imperium of Man and the Imperial Guard.
However, the real gem of the game is undeniably its combat. Titus charges through swarms of Tyranids, tearing through them with his gauntlets or crushing them underfoot. The arsenal of entertaining weapons, like a flamethrower for incinerating Rippers or a laser sniper rifle, adds depth to the thrilling combat experience.
