A Deep Dive into Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – A Steam Deck and PS5 Review in Progress
For years, many Warhammer fans anticipated Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. My journey began later, sparked by Total War: Warhammer, leading me to explore the wider 40k universe, including Boltgun and Rogue Trader. Months ago, I briefly sampled the original Space Marine on my Steam Deck. Now, having extensively played various 40k titles across PC and console, I eagerly awaited Space Marine 2's release.
Over the past week, I've logged roughly 22 hours with Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, utilizing cross-progression between my Steam Deck and PS5, and testing online functionality. This review is ongoing for two key reasons: a complete assessment requires thorough cross-platform multiplayer testing and public server evaluation. Secondly, Focus and Saber Interactive are committed to delivering official Steam Deck support by year's end.
Given Space Marine 2's stunning visuals and gameplay on Steam Deck, and the presence of cross-progression, I was keen to see its handheld performance. The news is mixed, and I'll detail both positive and negative aspects. This review covers gameplay, online co-op, visuals, PC port features, PS5 features, and more. Note: Screenshots with performance overlays are from my Steam Deck OLED; 16:9 shots are from my PS5 playthrough. Testing was conducted on Proton GE 9-9 and Proton Experimental.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a third-person action shooter that's simultaneously brutal, visually impressive, and enjoyable, even for Warhammer newcomers. A concise yet effective tutorial introduces combat and movement basics before you reach the Battle Barge hub, where missions, game modes, and cosmetics are managed.
The moment-to-moment gameplay is exceptional; controls and weaponry feel perfectly implemented. While some may favor ranged combat, I relished the visceral melee combat. The executions are satisfying, and mowing down hordes of enemies before facing tougher foes remains engaging. The campaign is fun solo or with friends in co-op, though I find defense missions less appealing.
Playing with a friend overseas, Space Marine 2 felt like a high-budget, co-op shooter reminiscent of the Xbox 360 era, a style rarely seen today. It hooked me similarly to Earth Defense Force or Gundam Breaker 4. I hope Saber and Focus collaborate with SEGA to modernize the original game's campaign.
My Warhammer 40,000 knowledge stems primarily from Total War: Warhammer, Dawn of War, Boltgun, and Rogue Trader. Despite this, Space Marine 2 provides a refreshing experience and ranks among my favorite co-op games in years. Whether it surpasses my other favorite 40k titles remains to be seen.
My co-op experience thus far has been excellent. A full evaluation awaits testing with random players once the game officially launches with cross-platform online capabilities.
Visually, on both PS5 (in 4K mode on my 1440p monitor) and Steam Deck, the game is stunning. The environments are breathtaking, and the detail in enemy swarms, textures, and lighting is remarkable. This is further enhanced by superb voice acting and extensive customization options, allowing for creative character expression.
A photo mode (available in single-player) allows for adjustments to frames, expressions, visible characters, FOV, and more. On Steam Deck, some effects look suboptimal with FSR 2 and lower resolutions; however, the PS5 photo mode is exceptional.
While the music is good, it hasn't produced any standout tracks I'd listen to outside the game. However, the voice acting and sound design are top-tier.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Graphics Options
The PC port (tested on Steam Deck) offers extensive graphical settings: 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 numerous quality-related settings. DLSS and FSR 2 are supported at launch, with FSR 3 planned post-launch. I hope for future 16:10 support.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Control Options
The game supports keyboard and mouse, along with full controller support. Initially, PlayStation button prompts weren't displayed on Steam Deck by default, but disabling Steam Input resolved this. Adaptive trigger support is present, and button remapping is available. The DualSense controller (over Bluetooth) displays PlayStation button prompts and even supports adaptive triggers wirelessly on PC.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Performance
While technically playable on Steam Deck without configuration changes, performance is currently suboptimal. Even at 1280x800 with low settings and FSR 2.0 at Ultra Performance, maintaining a locked 30fps is challenging, with frequent dips. Dynamic upscaling for a 30fps target yields similar results. The game is simply too demanding for the Steam Deck in its current state. There were also some instances of the game not exiting correctly, requiring manual closure.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Multiplayer Impressions
Online multiplayer functions correctly on Steam Deck. Co-op sessions with a friend in Canada were smooth, aside from some internet-related disconnections (likely due to pre-release servers).
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PS5 Features
On PS5 (performance mode), the game runs well, though a locked 60fps isn't achieved, and dynamic resolution appears to be in use. Load times are fast, and PS5 Activity Card support is included. Gyro support is currently absent.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Cross-Save Progression
Cross-progression between Steam and PS5 is functional, with a two-day cooldown period between platform syncs.
Is Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Worth It for Solo Play?
A definitive answer requires further testing with random players in online modes.
Desired Features for Future Updates
Post-launch updates should prioritize improved Steam Deck performance and HDR support. Haptic feedback would also be a welcome addition.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a strong Game of the Year contender. While online multiplayer testing remains incomplete, the gameplay is superb, and the visuals and audio are exceptional. I currently don't recommend it for Steam Deck, but highly recommend it on PS5. A final score will follow further multiplayer testing and post-launch patches.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Review Score: TBA
