How Does the Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Gameplay Compare with the Original?

After a decade-long wait, it's the sequel every Heretic and Imperial loyalist has been waiting for. Yes, expectations for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 are high!

Of course they are, Space Marine was arguably the best Warhammer 40k title ever made. You only have to look at its Steam page to find over 12,000 reviews, and an average rating of 92%. Truly, when it comes to power fantasies, Space Marine is about as iconic as they come.

Therefore, the question on every 40K fan's mind now is: How does the Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 gameplay compare with the original? Will this modern-day blend of interstellar hacking, slashing, and storytelling, live up to the hype? Will Space Marine 2 become the best power fantasy 40K game of all time? Now, that's an exciting prospect!

Join us as we take a look at what Saber Interactive and Focus Entertainment have in store for Titus's return.

Pre Order Your Discounted Copy of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 at 2Game Today!

READ MORE: Comparing Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown to Forza and Gran Turismo - Here's What to Expect!

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Gameplay Setting

As with the original, there's lots of room for the telling and unravelling of narratives in Space Marine 2's vast and complex universe. That's the essence of the setting, to provide a base from which you are free to create your own campaigns, and immerse yourself in the stories you create.

After having survived the Inquisition's decades-long interrogation, Titus is back. However, the universe is not the same as the one he left.

Times are desperate. The forces of Chaos have destroyed Cadia, and a great space storm divides the empire in two. The future of humanity is at stake.

What is Titus's place in this new order? An order that is run by younger and more powerful Marines? And what will the resurrection of the powerful Guilliman, leader of the Ultramarines and author of the Codex Astartes mean for our hero, considering Titus was arrested for his interpretation of this tome?

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Gameplay Upgrades - Epic Scale

Space Marine was epic. The sequel is another level. Truly, with an attention to detail that's inspired, this is the most vivid, colossal version of the Warhammer universe to date.

Which it totally fitting. I mean, war in Warhammer isn't restricted to a city, country, or even a world-stage. It takes place across solar systems. It's all-out mayhem at a scale that's hard to contemplate.

Space Marine was impressive at capturing the magnitude of the conflict, but the developers at the time didn't have access to the technology that's now available.

With the new Saber engine, Space Marine 2 aims to completely embed the player in the greatness of a 40k war. This involves carving through 500 alien monsters, all onscreen at the same time, with a big chainsword, without any glitches to the graphics.

In the words of the developers: "Our engine has allowed us to give an authentic Warhammer experience with hundreds, if not thousands, of enemy tyranids assaulting you and your allies. This war isn't just taking place in front of you but all the way up to the horizon."

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Gameplay Upgrades - New Engine

This brings us nicely to Saber Interactive's proprietary engine used to build the upcoming Space Marine venture. Gamers will be familiar with what this engine has to offer from the success of Saber Interactive's World War Z, and the bringing to life of its swarms of enemy zombies.

Saber's engine is perfect for effectively building wave after wave of Tyranid armies in Space Marine 2, as well as allowing for faster, tougher, and smarter Primaris Marines and other gameplay upgrades.

We are talking tech enhancements way beyond what was possible for the original.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Gameplay Upgrades - Combat System

When asked about the most signifiacnt difference between the Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 gameplay and the gameplay of the original, developers point to the sequel's combat mechanics as the game's biggest upgrade:

“We have a more swarm-based approach because of the Tyranids, so we’ve had to develop a melee system that is less hack and slash and more [one that] creates a route and cuts a path through all these enemies... it’s this really beautiful flowing system of melee and ranged put together. I feel like our combat system really is a level-up."

On another note, for those who love to be on the offensive, developers assure fans that the sequel remains true to the attacking nature of the original with its lack of cover system, and that additional mechanics and incentives continue to reward players for storming play styles.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 - New Weapons

Warhammer 40K is renowned for its armories. Weapons may not be pretty, but they are deadly. And ridiculously fun! We're talking big and brutish guns, swords, and explosives that cause major damage. What could be better?!

For a long time, the Space Marine boltgun was considered the best in the franchise. Warhammer: 40k Boltgun probably stole that crown, but you get what we're saying when we describe the weapons of the original Space Marine as pretty awesome. It's with great pleasure, therefore, to learn that Space Marine 2 is set to level up your arsenal!

Obviously the trailer shows off the iconic chainsword. Can you think of a more satisfying way to shred your enemies to pieces? And the chainsword is but one of the many melee weapons available in the sequel. These include power swords and thunder hammers - perfect for all your parries, dodges, stuns, and Space Marine 2 executions.

Then we've also got the assault rifles / rocket-grenades, each with their own tempo of violence; the Meltgun and Heavy bolter, which are good for blasting your way through swarms of smaller Tyranid creatures, but have limited ammo; the armour-melting Plasma Incinerator; the anti-tank Melta rifle; the short ranged infantry-clearing Pyreblaster; and the long range Bolt Sniper Rifle.

There are also Grenades, of course, as well as back-up pistols that never run out of ammunition (although you will still need to reload them). Just remember, you can only carry one main weapon at a time, so pick wisely!

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Gameplay Upgrades - Customization

The customization aspect of Space Marine 2 looks promising. Customization is linked to character progression, both in co-op and PvP modes, and is very much inspired by what you could do with your characters if they were on a tabletop. That is, you cab paint them, accessorize them, and position things on their body. Your options aren't without limit, however.

Games Workshop are pretty protective over their IP. They're selective over the look and feel of the 40k universe, and won't allow players to just invent things. Having said that, from what we've seen so far, it looks like there's fun to be had with cosmetics such as skins, armor, and the like, with a wide selection of colors, heraldry decals, pauldrons, and gauntlets. I'm not sure we would have expected any different, to be honest.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 - PvP and PvE Co Op and Multiplayer Modes

We loved the PvP mode in Space Marine, and are very pleased to see it make a return with the sequel.

As well as the single-player campaign, Space Marine 2 brings a co-op three-person campaign known as Operations. Operations can be played with friends of AI teammates, and it takes place in the Fourth Tyranid War, which Games Workshop fans will recognise from the tabletop's new 10th edition.

This latest Space Marine title further includes three competitive multiplayer modes, each consisting of 6v6 battles of Space Marines vs Chaos Marines, and each with customizable avatars.

For both PvE and PvP modes, you can choose between six available classes, including the stealthy Sniper and the Combat Shield-wielding Bulwark.

How does the Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Gameplay Compare with the Original?

In many ways it's slightly funny to compare a sequel with it's predecessor. Especially when there's over a decade in between releases. I mean, you can expect considerable gameplay upgrades and enhancements. The technology has advanced so much, after all.

With that in mind, it looks pretty safe to say that Space Marine 2 has taken an awesome game and elevated it to another level.

The scale of the Space Marine 2 universe is immense. The new engine brings bigger, faster, stronger, and smarter opponents. Upgraded combat mechanics allow you take on wave after wave of enemies at any one time, in a variety of game modes. The weapons look awesome, and the customization looks fun. Overall, this looks like the sequel we've been waiting for.

The best endorsement for Space Marine 2, however, comes from Creative Director Oliver Hollis-Leick when he describes one of the original developers playing the demo: “He came off, and he was like ‘you’ve really taken it where we wanted to be able to take it. You’ve done all of the things that we wanted to do, but couldn’t.’

For fans of Space Marine, what more could you ask for?

Pre Order Your Discounted Copy of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 at 2Game Today!

CHECK OUT: Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - Who is Messmer the Impaler?