Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2: A Deep Dive Review (Steam Deck & PS5)

For years, anticipation for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has been building. My own journey began with Total War: Warhammer, leading me to explore the broader 40k universe, including titles like Boltgun and Rogue Trader. This experience fueled my excitement for Space Marine 2's release. I've dedicated roughly 22 hours across my Steam Deck and PS5, leveraging cross-progression and online play, to form this comprehensive review. However, this review is ongoing for two key reasons: thorough cross-platform multiplayer testing and the pending official Steam Deck support promised by Focus and Saber by year's end.

My initial impressions playing on Steam Deck were promising, but also highlighted the game's current limitations on the handheld. This review covers gameplay, online co-op, visuals, PC port features, PS5 performance, and more. Screenshots with performance overlays are from my Steam Deck OLED; 16:9 shots are from my PS5 playthrough. Testing utilized Proton GE 9-9 and Proton Experimental.

Space Marine 2 delivers a visceral third-person action shooter experience, equally brutal, stunning, and engaging, even for 40k newcomers. The tutorial effectively introduces combat and movement mechanics, leading to the Battle Barge hub where missions, game modes, and cosmetics are managed.

Gameplay is exceptional, with controls and weaponry feeling perfectly tuned. While ranged combat is effective, the melee system is truly captivating, offering incredibly satisfying close-quarters combat and brutal executions. The campaign shines in both solo and co-op modes, though defense missions felt somewhat less engaging.

Co-op play, especially with a friend across continents, evoked the feeling of a high-budget Xbox 360 era co-op shooter—a genre rarely seen with this level of polish today. The game's addictive quality, comparable to Earth Defense Force or Gundam Breaker 4, is undeniable.

My 40k knowledge stems primarily 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 recent years. While a definitive "favorite 40k game" declaration is premature, the addictive nature of Operations mode, class variety, and progressive unlocks keep me returning for more.

The co-op experience, while limited by pre-release server conditions, is superb. A full assessment awaits post-launch testing with random players and friends, leveraging cross-progression and cross-platform play.

Visually, the game is breathtaking. On PS5 in 4K mode (played on a 1440p monitor), the environments are stunning, exhibiting exceptional detail, texture work, and dynamic lighting. The sheer number of enemies adds to the immersion. This is further enhanced by top-tier voice acting and extensive customization options that allow players to express their creativity.

The in-game photo mode (available in single-player) provides extensive control over framing, expressions, character visibility, FOV, and more. However, on Steam Deck with FSR 2 and lower resolutions, some effects suffer. The PS5 implementation is significantly superior.

Audio-wise, while the music is good, it lacks standout tracks I'd listen to outside the game. However, the voice acting and sound design are exceptional, contributing significantly to the immersive atmosphere.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Graphics Options

The PC port, tested on Steam Deck, boasts a comprehensive array of graphics options: display mode, resolution, render resolution, quality presets (balanced, performance, ultra performance), resolution upscaling (TAA, FSR 2), dynamic resolution target, v-sync, brightness, motion blur, fps limit, and individual quality settings for textures, shadows, ambient occlusion, reflections, and more. DLSS and FSR 2 are supported at launch, with FSR 3 planned post-launch. The addition of 16:10 support is highly anticipated.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Control Options

The PC port offers keyboard and mouse controls alongside full controller support. While PlayStation button prompts initially didn't display correctly on Steam Deck with Steam Input enabled, disabling it resolved the issue. Adaptive trigger support is available, and button remapping is fully customizable. The DualSense controller (via Bluetooth) provides PlayStation button prompts and wireless adaptive trigger functionality—a noteworthy feature.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Performance

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is technically playable on Steam Deck without configuration changes, but it's currently demanding. At 1280x800 with low settings and FSR 2.0 at Ultra Performance, maintaining a stable 30fps is challenging, with frequent dips. Even at lower resolutions, frame rates fall below the target. While dynamic upscaling helps, it still struggles to consistently hit 30fps. The game also occasionally fails to exit cleanly, requiring manual closure.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Multiplayer

Online multiplayer functions flawlessly on Steam Deck, with no anti-cheat interference. Co-op sessions with a friend in Canada were smooth and enjoyable. However, pre-release server instability led to some disconnections; further testing is needed post-launch.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PS5 Features

On PS5 (Performance mode), the game performs well, though a locked 60fps isn't consistently achieved. Dynamic resolution appears to be in use. Load times are fast, and PS5 Activity Cards are supported. Gyro controls are currently absent.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Cross-Save Progression

Cross-save functionality between Steam and PS5 worked seamlessly during the pre-release period, though a two-day cooldown period exists between syncs.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Solo Play Value

A definitive assessment of solo play value awaits post-launch testing of matchmaking and online modes (Operations and Eternal War).

Desired Future Updates

Post-launch updates are expected to address Steam Deck performance and add HDR support, enhancing the game's already impressive visuals. Haptic feedback for the DualSense controller is also hoped for.

Conclusion:

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a strong contender for Game of the Year. The gameplay is exceptional, and the visuals and audio are top-tier. While Steam Deck performance needs improvement, the PS5 version is highly recommended. A final score will follow post-launch multiplayer testing and patch updates.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Review Score: TBA