A Deep Dive into Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – A Steam Deck and PS5 Review in Progress
For years, many anticipated Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. My own journey began with Total War: Warhammer, sparking an interest in the broader 40k universe, leading to experiences with Boltgun and Rogue Trader. Months ago, I briefly sampled the original Space Marine on my Steam Deck. The recent reveal of Space Marine 2 heightened my anticipation, especially given my recent PC and console gaming experiences.
Over the past week, I've logged approximately 22 hours with 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 reasons: a complete assessment requires thorough cross-platform multiplayer testing, and Focus and Saber are actively developing official Steam Deck support, targeting year-end release.
Having witnessed the game's impressive visuals and gameplay on the Steam Deck, and with cross-progression in place, I was eager to see how it performed on Valve's handheld. The news is mixed, and this review will cover all aspects: 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 utilized Proton GE 9-9 and Proton Experimental.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a third-person action shooter that masterfully blends brutality, stunning visuals, and engaging gameplay, welcoming both veterans and newcomers to the Warhammer 40,000 universe. A concise yet effective tutorial introduces combat and movement mechanics before leading to the Battle Barge hub, where missions, game modes, and cosmetics are managed.
The moment-to-moment gameplay is exceptional, with precise controls and satisfying weaponry. While ranged combat is viable, I found immense satisfaction in visceral melee encounters. The executions are consistently rewarding, and mowing down hordes of enemies before facing tougher opponents remains engaging. The campaign shines in solo and co-op modes, although defense missions are less compelling.
Playing 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 today. Its addictive quality rivals 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 offers a refreshing experience, ranking among my favorite co-op games in years. While it's too early to declare it my favorite 40k title, the addictive nature of Operations mode with a friend, coupled with class variety and progression, keeps me hooked.
While full launch testing with random players is pending, my co-op experiences have been outstanding. I eagerly await testing the online functionality with cross-progression and cross-platform play.
Visually, on both PS5 and Steam Deck, the game is a standout. The PS5's 4K mode (on my 1440p monitor) is breathtaking, exceeding trailer expectations. Environments are richly detailed, and the sheer number of enemies, coupled with exceptional texture work and lighting, creates a vibrant world. This is further enhanced by superb voice acting and extensive customization options.
A photo mode is available in single-player, offering adjustments to frames, expressions, visible characters, FOV, and more. On Steam Deck, some effects appear suboptimal with FSR 2 and lower resolutions, but the PS5 implementation is superb.
The audio design is equally impressive. While the music, though good, lacks standout tracks for standalone listening, it perfectly complements the gameplay. 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 options. Epic Online Services integration is present, but account linking isn't mandatory. Options include display settings, resolution (from 800x600 upwards), 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 various quality 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 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 were absent on Steam Deck with Steam Input enabled; disabling it resolved this. Adaptive trigger support is available, and the control menu allows remapping. My DualSense controller (Bluetooth) displayed PlayStation prompts and supported adaptive triggers wirelessly, a noteworthy feature.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Performance
While technically playable on Steam Deck without configuration changes, performance is currently suboptimal. At 1280x800 (16:9), low preset with FSR 2.0 at Ultra Performance, it struggles to maintain a locked 30fps, frequently dipping into the low 20s during intense combat. Even at lower resolutions, frame rates fall below 30fps. Dynamic upscaling for a 30fps target, while visually acceptable, still experiences drops to the low 20s. The game also occasionally fails to exit cleanly.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Multiplayer Impressions
Online multiplayer functions correctly on Steam Deck, despite potential anti-cheat concerns. Co-op sessions with a friend in Canada proceeded smoothly, with only minor internet-related disconnections (likely due to pre-release servers).
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PS5 Features – DualSense, Activity Cards, and Performance Mode
On PS5 (Performance Mode), the game runs well, though a locked 60fps isn't guaranteed, and dynamic resolution seems to be in use. Load times are quick, and PS5 Activity Cards support various modes and save file access. 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 syncs). The final build's behavior remains to be confirmed.
Is Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Worth It for Solo Play Only?
A definitive answer requires further testing with the full launch's online population. Eternal War (PvP) mode remains untested.
Desired Features in Updates and Patches
Post-launch support is expected. Key improvements include enhanced Steam Deck performance and HDR support to further showcase the game's visual fidelity. 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 is incomplete, the gameplay is exceptional, and the visuals and audio are superb across platforms. I currently don't recommend it for Steam Deck but highly recommend it on PS5. A final score will follow complete multiplayer testing and post-launch patches.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Review Score: TBA
