Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2: A Deep Dive Review (Steam Deck & PS5)
For years, many gamers eagerly anticipated Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. My own journey began with Total War: Warhammer, sparking an interest in the wider 40k universe and leading to playthroughs of titles like Boltgun and Rogue Trader. A brief Steam Deck foray into the original Space Marine piqued my curiosity further. The stunning reveal of the sequel heightened my anticipation significantly.
Over the past week, I've logged approximately 22 hours with Space Marine 2, utilizing cross-progression between my Steam Deck and PS5, and exploring both online and offline gameplay. This review is ongoing for two key reasons: a complete assessment requires thorough testing of cross-platform multiplayer and public server stability; and, importantly, Focus and Saber are actively developing official Steam Deck support, slated for release by year's end.
Given Space Marine 2's impressive visuals and gameplay on the Steam Deck, coupled with cross-progression, I was keen to see how it performed on Valve's handheld. The results are a mixed bag, and I'll detail both the positive and negative aspects in this in-progress review, covering gameplay, online co-op, visuals, PC port features, PS5 performance, and more. Note: screenshots with performance overlays are from my Steam Deck OLED; 16:9 screenshots are from my PS5 playthrough. Testing was conducted on Proton GE 9-9 and Proton Experimental.
Space Marine 2 is a third-person action shooter that's simultaneously brutal, visually stunning, and incredibly fun, catering equally to seasoned 40k veterans and newcomers. The concise yet effective tutorial introduces core combat and movement mechanics before dropping you into the Battle Barge, your central hub for mission selection, game mode choices, cosmetic adjustments, and more.
The moment-to-moment gameplay is exceptional. Controls and weaponry feel perfectly balanced. While some might prefer ranged combat, I personally relished the visceral melee combat and brutal executions. The campaign is highly enjoyable solo or with friends in co-op, although I found defense missions less engaging.
Playing online with a friend overseas, Space Marine 2 felt like a high-budget, modern take on Xbox 360-era co-op shooters – a genre rarely seen at this scale today. It captivated me as much as Earth Defense Force or Gundam Breaker 4, and I hope Saber and Focus collaborate with SEGA to give the original game's campaign a much-needed visual update.
My Warhammer 40,000 experience primarily stems from Total War: Warhammer, Dawn of War, Boltgun, and Rogue Trader. Despite this, Space Marine 2 has proven incredibly refreshing, ranking among my favorite co-op experiences in years. While it's too early to definitively declare it my favorite 40k game, I'm eager to continue playing. The addictive Operations mode, class diversity, and steady progression keep me hooked.
I can't definitively assess the full online experience until launch, but my co-op sessions have been superb. I eagerly anticipate testing the online features with random players and friends once cross-platform play is fully enabled.
Visually, on both PS5 and Steam Deck, Space Marine 2 is a masterpiece. The 4K mode on PS5 (played on my 1440p monitor) is breathtaking. The environments are incredibly detailed, and the sheer number of enemies, combined with exceptional texture work and lighting, creates a truly immersive experience. This is further enhanced by stunning voice acting and extensive customization options, allowing for creative self-expression.
The single-player photo mode offers extensive controls over framing, expressions, character visibility, FOV, and more. However, on the Steam Deck, some effects look suboptimal with FSR 2 and lower resolutions. On PS5, however, the photo mode is flawless.
The soundtrack, while not featuring Bolt Thrower (understandably), is solid. The true audio stars are the voice acting and sound design – both top-tier. The music fits perfectly within the game's context, but lacks the memorability for repeated listening outside the game.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Graphics Options
The PC port, while primarily tested on Steam Deck, offers extensive features. Epic Online Services are integrated, but account linking isn't mandatory. Graphics options include adjustments for display mode, resolution, render resolution, quality presets (Quality, Balanced, Performance, Ultra Performance), upscaling (TAA, FSR 2 on Steam Deck), dynamic resolution target, V-sync, brightness, motion blur, FPS limit, and various quality-related settings.
Four presets control texture filtering, resolution, shadows, ambient occlusion, reflections, volumetrics, effects, detail, and cloth simulation. DLSS and FSR 2 are supported at launch, with FSR 3 planned post-launch. I anticipate significant Steam Deck performance improvements with FSR 3. 16:10 support is also hoped for in a future update.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Control Options
The game supports keyboard and mouse, along with full controller support. Initially, PlayStation button prompts didn't display on Steam Deck, but disabling Steam Input resolved this. Adaptive trigger support is available, further highlighting the benefit of disabling Steam Input. Keyboard and mouse remapping is also fully supported. My DualSense controller worked flawlessly over Bluetooth, including wireless Adaptive Trigger support – a rare feature on PC.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Performance
While I experienced some initial freezing on default and Experimental Proton, Proton GE 9-9 ran flawlessly. The game is technically playable on Steam Deck without configuration changes, but it pushes the handheld's limits.
At 1280x800 (16:9) with low settings and FSR 2.0 at Ultra Performance, maintaining a stable 30 FPS is challenging, with frequent dips into the mid-20s, even lower during intense combat. Lowering the resolution doesn't significantly improve performance. Ideally, 30 FPS should be achievable, but it's currently not consistently possible in my 10 hours of Steam Deck gameplay.
Dynamic upscaling targeting 30 FPS with low settings results in fluctuating performance, reaching the 30s but often dropping to the low 20s. The visuals remain good, but the performance is clearly suboptimal. The game also occasionally fails to exit cleanly, requiring manual closure.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Multiplayer Impressions
Online multiplayer on Steam Deck functions perfectly. Co-op sessions with a friend in Canada were smooth and enjoyable. Internet-related disconnections occurred, but given the pre-release server state, further testing is needed with random players and friends post-launch.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PS5 Features – DualSense, Activity Cards, and Performance Mode
On PS5, using performance mode, the game runs well, though not at a locked 60 FPS. Dynamic resolution or upscaling is apparent, causing noticeable blurriness in some large-scale battles. Load times are fast, and PS5 Activity Cards are supported. Currently, gyro support is absent.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Cross-Save Progression
Cross-progression between Steam and PS5 functioned well in my pre-release experience, with a two-day cooldown period between platform syncs. The final build's cooldown duration remains to be confirmed.
Is Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Worth It for Solo Play Only?
A definitive answer requires further testing of the online matchmaking in Operations (PvE) and Eternal War (PvP) modes. Eternal War mode remains untested at this time.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Features I Want to See in Updates
Future updates should prioritize improved Steam Deck performance and HDR support, which would significantly enhance the game's already stunning visuals. Haptic feedback would also be a welcome addition to the DualSense controller integration.
Space Marine 2 is a strong Game of the Year contender. The gameplay is exceptional, and the visuals and audio are superb across both platforms. While I don't recommend playing on Steam Deck currently, the PS5 version is highly recommended. A full review with a final score will follow after extensive multiplayer testing and post-launch patches.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Review Score: TBA
