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, sparking an interest in the broader 40k universe and leading me to games like Boltgun and Rogue Trader. I briefly sampled the original Space Marine on my Steam Deck months ago, piquing my curiosity for the sequel. Having extensively played various 40k titles across PC and console, I was thrilled by Space Marine 2's impressive reveal.
Over the past week, I've logged approximately 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 comprehensive assessment requires thorough cross-platform multiplayer testing, and Focus and Saber are actively developing official Steam Deck support, targeting release by year's end.
Having witnessed the game's stunning visuals and gameplay on the Steam Deck, and given the cross-progression feature, I was eager to see how it performed on Valve's handheld. The current situation presents both good and bad news, which I'll detail below, 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.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a third-person action shooter that masterfully blends brutality, stunning visuals, and engaging gameplay, appealing to both veterans and newcomers to the Warhammer 40,000 universe. After a concise yet effective tutorial introducing combat and movement mechanics, players arrive at the Battle Barge hub, where missions, game modes, cosmetics, and more can be managed.
The moment-to-moment gameplay is exceptional, with perfectly balanced controls and weaponry. While some may prefer ranged combat, I found immense satisfaction in visceral melee encounters. The execution animations are consistently thrilling, and mowing down hordes of enemies before facing tougher foes remains endlessly entertaining. The campaign is equally enjoyable solo or with friends in co-op, although I personally find defense missions less engaging. Fortunately, their implementation here isn't overly intrusive.
Playing with a friend overseas, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 felt like a high-budget, modern take on Xbox 360-era co-op shooters – a genre rarely seen today. It captivated me in the same way Earth Defense Force and Gundam Breaker 4 have, and 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. While it's too early to declare it my favorite 40k game, I'm compelled to pause this review and return to the game immediately. The addictive nature of Operations mode, coupled with class experimentation and steady progression, keeps me hooked.
While I haven't yet played with random players in the full release, my co-op experience has been exceptional. I eagerly anticipate testing the online functionality with a wider player base once cross-play is fully implemented.
Visually, on both PS5 and Steam Deck, the game is a masterpiece. The PS5's 4K mode (played on a 1440p monitor) is breathtaking. The environments are stunning, and the level of detail in the character models, textures, and lighting is remarkable. This is further enhanced by superb voice acting and extensive customization options, allowing players to express their creativity.
A photo mode, accessible in single-player, offers extensive customization options for framing, expressions, characters, FOV, and more. However, on the Steam Deck using FSR 2 and lower resolutions, some effects appear less polished. The PS5 version's photo mode, however, is exceptional.
The audio is equally impressive. While the soundtrack isn't groundbreaking, the voice acting and sound design are top-tier. The music fits perfectly within the game's context, although it's not something I'd listen to outside the game.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Graphics Options
The PC port, while only tested on Steam Deck, offers a comprehensive range of graphical settings. Upon launching, Epic Online Services installs, but account linking isn't mandatory. Options include display mode, resolution, render resolution, quality presets (Balanced, Performance, Ultra Performance), upscaling (TAA, FSR 2), dynamic resolution targeting, V-sync, brightness, motion blur, FPS limit, and numerous individual 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 anticipate significant benefits from this on Steam Deck. I also hope for future 16:10 support.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Control Options
The PC port offers keyboard and mouse controls, alongside full controller support. Initially, PlayStation button prompts didn't display correctly on Steam Deck, but disabling Steam Input resolved this. Adaptive trigger support is present, further highlighting the game's controller optimization. The DualSense controller (via Bluetooth) displays PlayStation prompts and even supports adaptive triggers wirelessly – a noteworthy feature.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Performance
While experiencing some minor freezing issues during startup on default Proton and Experimental, Proton GE 9-9 proved stable. The game is technically playable on Steam Deck without configuration, but performance is currently suboptimal.
At 1280x800 (16:9) with low settings and FSR 2.0 at Ultra Performance, maintaining a locked 30fps is impossible, with frequent dips into the mid-20s, and even lower during intense combat. Even at lower resolutions, frame rates remain below 30fps. This isn't ideal for a game of this nature. I hope future optimization allows for stable 30fps performance. In my 10 hours of gameplay, this wasn't achievable.
Using dynamic upscaling targeting 30fps with low settings, the game occasionally reaches the 30s, but frequently drops to the low 20s. The visual quality remains good on the Deck's screen, but the game is currently too demanding for the handheld. Additionally, the game sometimes fails to exit cleanly, requiring manual closure.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Multiplayer Impressions
Online multiplayer functionality on Steam Deck is fully operational. Testing with a friend in Canada yielded a smooth and enjoyable co-op experience. The only issue encountered was occasional internet-related disconnections, likely due to the pre-release servers. Further testing with random players and friends post-launch is planned.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PS5 Features – DualSense, Activity Cards, and Performance Mode
Playing on PS5 in performance mode, the experience is largely positive, though a locked 60fps isn't achieved, and dynamic resolution or upscaling appears to be in use, resulting in occasional blurriness during large-scale combat. Overall, I recommend the PS5 version based on my playtime, pending further cross-platform online testing.
Fast load times and PS5 Activity Card support enhance the experience. Gyro support is currently absent on PS5.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Cross-Save Progression
Cross-save progression between Steam and PS5 is currently functional, with a two-day cooldown period between platform syncs. I've contacted Focus to confirm if this cooldown persists in the final release.
Is Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Worth It for Solo Play Only?
A definitive answer requires further testing with random players post-launch to assess matchmaking in Operations (PvE) and Eternal War (PvP) modes. Eternal War remains untested at this time.
Desired Features for Future Updates
Beyond Steam Deck performance improvements, I hope future updates include proper HDR support to enhance the game's already impressive visuals. While DualSense implementation is good, haptic feedback would be a welcome addition. The lack of haptics at launch suggests it's a planned feature.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a strong Game of the Year contender. While further multiplayer testing is needed, the gameplay is superb, and the visuals and audio are exceptional across platforms. I currently don't recommend the Steam Deck version, but the PS5 version is highly recommended. A final score will follow after more extensive multiplayer testing and post-launch patches.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Review Score: TBA
