A Deep Dive into Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – A Steam Deck and PS5 Review in Progress
For years, many Warhammer fans eagerly anticipated Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. My own journey began with Total War: Warhammer, leading me to explore other 40k titles like Boltgun and Rogue Trader. I briefly sampled the original Space Marine on my Steam Deck, piquing my interest for the sequel. After its impressive reveal, I was eager to experience Space Marine 2.
Over the past week, I've dedicated approximately 22 hours to Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 across my Steam Deck and PS5, leveraging cross-progression and testing online functionality. This review is ongoing for two key reasons: a comprehensive assessment requires thorough cross-platform multiplayer testing, and Focus and Saber are actively developing official Steam Deck support, slated for release by year's end.
Given Space Marine 2's cross-progression and impressive visuals on the Steam Deck, I was keen to see its performance. The news is mixed, and this review will cover 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.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a third-person action shooter that's brutal, visually stunning, and intensely fun, even for newcomers to the Warhammer 40,000 universe. A concise yet effective tutorial introduces combat and movement basics, leading to the Battle Barge hub. Here, you select missions, game modes, customize your appearance, and more.
The moment-to-moment gameplay is exceptional. Controls and weapons feel perfectly balanced. While ranged combat is viable, I found immense satisfaction in visceral melee combat. The executions are endlessly satisfying, and mowing down hordes of enemies before facing tougher foes is consistently engaging. The campaign is highly enjoyable solo or with friends in co-op, though I found 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 captivated me much like 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 experience 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. While it's too early to declare it my favorite 40k game, the Operations mode, class variety, and steady progression keep me hooked.
While I haven't fully tested online play with random players, my co-op experiences have been superb. I eagerly anticipate testing the full online functionality with cross-play and cross-platform matchmaking.
Visually, on both PS5 and Steam Deck, Space Marine 2 is a masterpiece. The PS5's 4K mode (on my 1440p monitor) is breathtaking. Environments are stunningly detailed, and the sheer number of enemies, coupled with exceptional texture work and lighting, creates a vibrant world. The voice acting, gear, and customization options further enhance the experience. The customization options clearly reflect meticulous attention to detail, allowing for creative self-expression.
A photo mode, accessible in single-player, allows adjustments to frames, expressions, visible characters, FOV, and more. However, on the Steam Deck, some effects don't render optimally with FSR 2 and lower resolutions. The PS5's photo mode is exceptional.
The audio is equally impressive. While the music, while good, isn't memorable outside the game, 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 customization. Epic Online Services are integrated but don't require account linking. Graphics options include display settings, resolution (800x600 and above), render resolution (native, dynamic), quality presets (balanced, performance, ultra performance), resolution upscaling (TAA, FSR 2), dynamic resolution targeting, v-sync, brightness, motion blur, FPS limits, and numerous quality-related settings.
Four presets adjust texture filtering, resolution, shadows, ambient occlusion, reflections, volumetrics, effects, details, and cloth simulation. DLSS and FSR 2 are supported at launch, with FSR 3 planned post-launch. I anticipate significant Steam Deck performance gains with FSR 3. 16:10 support is also hoped for in future updates.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Control Options
The PC port offers keyboard and mouse controls, 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 present, further enhanced by disabling Steam Input. Keyboard and mouse remapping are also available. My DualSense controller (Bluetooth) displayed PlayStation prompts and even supported adaptive triggers wirelessly – a noteworthy feature.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Performance
While initial boot-up freezing occurred on default and Experimental Proton, Proton GE 9-9 resolved this. Space Marine 2 is technically playable on Steam Deck without configuration changes, but performance is suboptimal.
At 1280x800 (16:9), using the low preset with FSR 2.0 at Ultra Performance, a locked 30fps is unattainable, with frequent drops into the mid-20s, and even lower during intense combat. Even at lower resolutions, frame rates dip below 30fps. This is far from ideal. I hope future optimizations achieve a stable 30fps. Dynamic upscaling targeting 30fps shows improvement, but still dips into the low 20s. The game occasionally fails to exit cleanly, requiring manual closure.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Multiplayer Impressions
Online multiplayer functions flawlessly on Steam Deck. Co-op sessions with a friend in Canada were smooth and enjoyable. Minor internet-related disconnections were experienced, but these are likely pre-release server issues. Further testing with random players and friends post-launch is planned.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PS5 Features
Performance mode on PS5 delivers a mostly smooth experience, though a locked 60fps isn't consistently achieved. Dynamic resolution or upscaling is apparent, resulting in occasional blurriness during large battles. Load times are fast, and PS5 Activity Card support is integrated. 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. The final build's cooldown status is yet to be confirmed.
Is Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Worth It for Solo Play?
A definitive answer requires further testing of online matchmaking and Eternal War (PvP) mode.
Desired Features for Future Updates
Post-launch support is expected, and I hope for HDR support to enhance the game's already impressive visuals. Haptic feedback would also be a welcome addition.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a strong Game of the Year contender. While further online testing is needed, the gameplay is exceptional, and the visuals and audio are superb across both platforms. I currently don't recommend it on Steam Deck due to performance issues, but the PS5 version is highly recommended. A final score will be provided after comprehensive multiplayer testing and post-launch patches.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Review Score: TBA
