A Deep Dive into Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – A Steam Deck and PS5 Review in Progress
For years, many Warhammer fans eagerly awaited Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. My own journey began with Total War: Warhammer, leading me to explore other titles in the franchise, including Boltgun and Rogue Trader. Intrigued, I sampled the original Space Marine on my Steam Deck months ago. Now, having extensively played Space Marine 2 across PC and PS5, I'm eager to share my ongoing impressions.
This review is a work in progress for two key reasons: thorough evaluation requires testing cross-platform multiplayer and online functionality on public servers; and Focus and Saber are actively developing official Steam Deck support, aiming for release by year's end.
Given Space Marine 2's cross-progression and my positive initial Steam Deck experience with the first game, I was keen to see how the sequel performed on Valve's handheld. The results are a mixed bag, and this review will cover 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 visceral third-person shooter, blending brutality, stunning visuals, and engaging gameplay. The tutorial smoothly introduces combat and movement mechanics, leading to the Battle Barge hub where missions, game modes, and cosmetics are managed.
The moment-to-moment gameplay is exceptional. Controls and weapons feel perfectly tuned. While ranged combat is viable, the melee combat is incredibly satisfying, with brutal executions punctuating the slaughter of hordes of enemies. The campaign is enjoyable solo or with friends in co-op, though defense missions are less engaging.
Playing with a friend overseas, Space Marine 2 evoked the feeling of a high-budget Xbox 360-era co-op shooter – a rarity today. It's as captivating as 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 offers a refreshing experience, ranking among my favorite co-op games in years. While it's too early to declare it my favorite Warhammer title, I'm compelled to pause this review and return to the game. The addictive Operations mode, with its diverse classes and unlocks, keeps me hooked.
While a definitive judgment awaits full launch and random matchmaking, my co-op experience has been superb. I eagerly anticipate testing the online functionality with a broader player base.
Visually, on PS5 and Steam Deck, Space Marine 2 is breathtaking, especially in 4K mode on PS5 (played on a 1440p monitor). The environments are stunning, and the sheer number of enemies, detailed textures, and dynamic lighting create a truly immersive experience. This is further enhanced by excellent voice acting and extensive customization options, allowing for creative character expression.
The single-player photo mode offers extensive control over frames, expressions, characters, FOV, and more. However, on Steam Deck with FSR 2 and lower resolutions, some effects appear less polished. The PS5 photo mode, however, is flawless.
The soundtrack is good, though not memorable enough for standalone listening. However, the voice acting and sound design are top-notch.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Graphics Options
The PC port, experienced on Steam Deck, boasts comprehensive graphics options. While Epic Online Services are installed, account linking isn't mandatory. Options include display mode, resolution, render resolution, quality presets (Balanced, Performance, Ultra Performance), upscaling (TAA, FSR 2 on Steam Deck), dynamic resolution targeting, V-sync, brightness, motion blur, FPS limit, and granular quality settings for textures, shadows, ambient occlusion, reflections, and more.
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 a future update.
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 weren't displayed on Steam Deck by default, but disabling Steam Input resolved this. Adaptive trigger support is available, further enhanced by disabling Steam Input. Key remapping is also supported. My DualSense controller connected wirelessly via Bluetooth, displaying PlayStation button prompts and even supporting adaptive triggers.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Performance
While some initial freezing occurred on default Proton and Experimental, Proton GE 9-9 proved stable. Space Marine 2 is technically playable on Steam Deck without configuration, but performance is 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 20s, even lower at times. Even lower resolutions struggle to maintain 30fps. This is far from ideal. I hope future optimization allows for consistent 30fps performance.
Dynamic upscaling targeting 30fps with low settings achieves 30fps at times but frequently drops to the low 20s. While visually acceptable on the Deck's screen, Space Marine 2 currently pushes the handheld's limits. Forced game closure is sometimes necessary upon exiting.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Multiplayer Impressions
Online multiplayer functions flawlessly on Steam Deck, unlike some games where anti-cheat measures block Proton or Linux. Co-op sessions with a friend in Canada were smooth and enjoyable. Occasional disconnections were attributed to pre-release server instability. Further testing with random players is pending the full launch.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PS5 Features – DualSense, Activity Cards, and Performance Mode
Performance mode on PS5 is largely excellent, though a locked 60fps isn't achieved, and dynamic resolution/upscaling is evident in some intense battles. Load times are swift, and PS5 Activity Card support facilitates quick access to game modes and saves. Gyro support is currently absent.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Cross-Save Progression
Cross-save progression between Steam and PS5 functioned well in the pre-release build, though a two-day cooldown period existed between syncs. Further clarification on this cooldown is pending.
Is Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Worth It for Solo Play Only?
A definitive answer awaits full launch and populated servers. Further testing of online matchmaking in Operations (PvE) and Eternal War (PvP) modes is necessary.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Features I Want to See in Updates
Post-launch support is expected, and I hope for HDR support to enhance the already impressive visuals. Haptic feedback would also be a welcome addition to the DualSense implementation.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a strong Game of the Year contender. While online multiplayer testing is ongoing, the gameplay is superb, and the visuals and audio are exceptional. I currently don't recommend it on Steam Deck but highly recommend it on PS5. A full review with a final score will follow further multiplayer testing and patching.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Review Score: TBA
