Space Marine 2 marchează o întoarcere maiestuoasă în universul Warhammer 40,000, succesor al îndrăgitului Space Marine lansat în 2011 pe platformele Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 și Xbox 360. Dezvoltat de Saber Interactive, această continuare promite să ofere un amestec electrizant de game-play visceral, grafică uimitoare și o poveste bogată. Space Marine 2 a fost lansat pe 9 septembrie pe platformele Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S.

Acest review a fost realizat utilizând consola PlayStation 5 și va fi prezentat în limba engleză.

Graphics and Performance

Being on all the current-gen platforms the game capitalizes on the hardware’s capabilities, providing a thrilling experience for both veterans of the franchise and newcomers alike.

From the moment you boot up Space Marine 2, you’re greeted with a visually stunning presentation. The graphics are a significant upgrade from its predecessor, featuring highly detailed character models, expansive environments, and impressive special effects. The environmental work is quite impressive as the team behind Space Marine 2 have captured the vast scale of the Warhammer setting, from the massive cathedrals of Avarax to the lush jungles of Kadaku.

The textures are crisp, and the lighting effects create an atmospheric setting that perfectly captures the dark and foreboding nature of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Each and every effect has been carefully developed to give a visual feedback when striking down the enemies of the Imperium, be it with the iconic Chainsword or the imposing Thunder Hammer.

The PS5’s capabilities shine through in the game’s performance. With a stable frame rate and rapid load times, players can immerse themselves in the action without interruption. The use of ray tracing adds depth to the visuals, enhancing reflections and shadows in a way that brings the battle-scarred landscapes to life. The game presents itself with a Performance toggle on the PS5 being capable of switching between Speed setting , that offers a smooth stable 60fps frame rate or the Quality setting that offers an impressive visual boost but to the detriment of the frame rate.

Gameplay Mechanics

Space Marine 2 retains the series’ signature gameplay style while introducing new mechanics that elevate the combat experience. Players once again assume the role of a Space Marine, this time with an expanded arsenal of weapons and abilities. The combat is fast-paced and brutal, allowing for a satisfying mix of ranged and melee attacks.

One of the standout features is the improved melee system. Players can execute brutal finishers, chaining together attacks that feel both impactful and rewarding. The responsiveness of the controls is commendable, making it easy to switch between weapons and execute complex maneuvers in the heat of battle.

Each of the melee weapons is satisfying in its own right, each crafted to feel unique. As selections the game offers the Combat Knife, Chainsword, Power Sword, Power Fist and Thunder Hammer. Each weapon has its own balance of damage, speed, cleaving potential (a new feature added to Space Marine 2) and one of three different styles: Balance, Blocking and Fencing. The game also features an expansive leveling system using credits and data fragments obtained from mission on the various difficulties as well as more challenging encounters.

The addition of new enemy types, including the endless swarms of the Tyranid forces as well as the mysterious Thousand Sons, forces players to adapt their strategies and keeps the combat feeling fresh. Each encounter is filled with adrenaline, and the variety of enemy designs ensures that players are constantly challenged. Each faction presents itself with its own gameplay mechanics that forces players to adapt or die on the battlefields of the 41st millennium.

Narrative and World-Building

The story of Space Marine 2 dives deeper into the Warhammer 40,000 lore, offering a narrative that is both engaging and immersive. While the original game had a straightforward plot, this sequel adds layers of complexity, exploring themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the burden of duty.

The campaign follows the now Lieutenant Titus (formerly Captain Titus) of the Ultramarines chapter of Space Marines, as he battles his way towards redemption with a well fleshed out cast of supporting characters. The AI combatants that fight alongside you are quite a treat, and they don’t give the feel of set dressing as they are formidable forces on their own against the endless tides of the enemy. Both Sergeant Gadriel and Brother Chairon have a unique charm to them, being well written for the given setting. Another notable character is the Exalted Sorcerer Imurah, a masterfully written and acted villain, memorable in each of his encounters.

The voice acting is top-notch, with memorable performances that breathe life into the characters. The cutscenes are well-crafted and seamlessly integrate into the gameplay, enhancing the overall narrative experience. Fans of the Warhammer universe will appreciate the lore references and the attention to detail in world-building. There have also been some subtle nods given to the tabletop game that veterans of the setting are sure to enjoy.

Multiplayer and Replayability

While the single-player campaign is a significant focus, Space Marine 2 also offers a robust multiplayer mode. Players can team up to tackle various challenges, utilizing their skills in cooperative gameplay, as well as a PvP mode that pits the Imperiums finest against the forces of the arch enemy.

There are two multiplayer game modes at the time of writing, Operations and Eternal War.

Operations focuses on a pure co-op experience, with interesting tie-ins to the main campaign, where you are part of an elite task force sent by Lieutenant Titus to accomplish various goals to aid him in his journey. For some, this mode is everything they’ve ever wanted from a Warhammer video game, group up with friends and exterminate the enemies of the Imperium. You can play as one of six available classes, each offering their own unique twist on the Space Marine gameplay on offer. Want to be mainly focused on drowning the enemy in a hail of bullets, Heavy is the class for you, want to be the front line defender, Bulwark is your choice. Do you prefer melee focused combat with a pension for aerial dives, Assault might be just what you’re looking for. Each class has a detailed talent tree, of the pick one of each row variety giving quite a plethora of build options for each class.

Replay-ability is bolstered by the inclusion of unlock-able weapons, character customization, and various difficulty settings. Players will find themselves drawn back into the game to experiment with different builds and tackle higher-tier challenges.

Eternal War offers clean old-school style PvP reminiscent of the early 2010s without the drawbacks of the time. Each match is 6v6 with players being able to chose up to two of each class. This mode offers the same customization options as Operations Mode, but unfortunately only to the loyalist side. The Heretic Astartes do not have the same visual variety as each class is currently locked to a different Chaos Legion.

At the time of this review, all customization options can be unlocked in-game with currency earned by playing, giving access to new colors, helmets and decals for your Space Marines.

There are no pay to win micro transactions in sight, something to be commended in today’s gaming landscape.

Parting words

Space Marine 2 successfully captures the essence of what made the original a cult classic while enhancing almost every aspect of the game. With stunning visuals, engaging combat mechanics, and a compelling narrative, it stands out as one of the best action games on the PS5. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Warhammer 40,000 or just looking for a high-octane action experience, Space Marine 2 delivers in spades.

Rating: 8/10

This game is a must-play for action fans, blending intense combat with rich lore in a visually breathtaking package. Grab your bolter, chainsword, and some friends, and prepare for an epic journey through the grimdark future!