Warhammer 40,000: Space Marines it wasn't the first game to adopt Warhammer license, but it was one of the first third-person shooters. It was released on a multitude of consoles in 2011, was well reviewed and received a solid fan base. Despite this, it took over a decade to get a sequel.
Now, finally, fans can rejoice Warhammer 40,000: Space Marines 2. Was it worth the wait and is it better than the original game? These are both good questions, here's a comparison of the two games to find out the answers. To fully immerse yourself in these games, there must be spoilers.
8 Graphics: Space Marine 2
Technological changes in a decade
It's a little obvious to state that the sequel looks much better graphically than the original. It's not just about the graphics, though Space Marines 2 add more locations with more details. The first planet is lush with lots of jungle life, and the later is the big castle city full of war.
It really feels like there's a conflict going on in the background. The first game doesn't look bad, especially if players check out the Anniversary Edition on Steam or even Steam Deck, but it's also not as shiny and new as Space Marines 2.
7 Enemies: Space Marines
The orcs win easily over the tyranids
While the orcs in Space Marines may not look as frighteningly good as the Tyranids of Space Marines 2they have more personality. They're like The Covenant from the Halo series, especially the Grunts, who are constantly running scared of the Master Chief.
Every time the players enter the scene Space MarinesOrks shout “Space Marine!” and welcome the challenge ahead. Sure, it can get repetitive for some, but for others, their infectious hits add a lot of charisma that tyranids sorely lack. It was a mistake not to still have them.
6 Multiplayer modes: Space Marine 2
A hidden Co-Op RPG demands your attention
The first game had a few basic multiplayer modes at launch, followed by a co-op mode. That co-op was the basic skeleton that the developers turned into a full experience in the sequel. The cooperative campaign in Space Marines 2 adds classes for players to try with leveling up and gear sets.
It's the thing that players should check out after they're done Space Marines 2. While the additional story isn't as compelling as the main campaign, it does a good job of filling in the gaps and accomplishes more than the original game could.
5 Characters: Space Marines
Titus is a better leader this time
Titus is the main character in both Space Marines games that would have been a bit of a surprise until he took off his helmet following the tutorial mission in Space Marines 2. There's a lot left on the table, but players can infer that a lot of bad things happened to Titus between the two games.
He seems to have lost faith in the Brotherhood of the Ultramarines and yet still works for the Emperor's glory. That's why he doesn't seem to like his new crew and why he doesn't talk much. Well, it's not a Chatty Cathy Space Marineshe is at least a better character as he seems to care and he is well cast as the veteran Sergeant Sidonus.
4 Recovery: Space Marine 2
More ways to heal
In both games, players can counter enemies to regain certain health and armor points. While technically easier to heal in the first game, the sequel has an additional health benefit. When players die in the first game, that's it.
When players die Space Marines 2can be revived by a teammate. This can also happen in multiplayer or single-player, as the AI is quite fast at first aid, which makes dying not as prominent depending on the difficulty level chosen.
3 Equipment and Weapons: Space Marine
He enters the battle fully charged
There are a lot of downgrades when it comes to preparing a gear Space Marines 2. First, in the original, players had a gun with infinite ammo. It was a weaker weapon, but it always gave players an out. Better yet, they could carry four ranged weapons at once, on top of a melee weapon like a chainsaw.
Space Marines 2 has several unique weapons, but players can only carry two weapons at a time. There are plenty of weapons, but players won't know what they'll need in the upcoming battle until they encounter it. Do they need a sniper rifle or an explosive? That's why Space Marines it's better in the equipment department, as players will usually come prepared for battle.
2 Bosses: Space Marine 2
There are some truly epic encounters
There aren't many epic boss encounters in the first game, but Space Marines 2 it's full of bosses. One of the hardest is against a tyranid that can turn invisible, it's called a Lictor, and another challenging boss is a wizard from the Chaos faction.
Revealing who that person is would be a spoiler since it's a later reveal. These boss encounters should prove to push players over the edge and then some, making for memorable fights that the original game just lacked.
1 Verdict: Space Marine 2
The wait was worth it
There are things to like about both, and for many, that nostalgia will make fans stick around Space Marines as the best of two experiences. The story is easier to follow, Titus feels more personal as a hero and stoic as can be, and the weapon loading situation is great.
What the sequel does do is bring some grime back into the series, which is supported by the graphics to make this so-called Grim Dark future feel compelling. Of everything the sequel does better, though, it's the multiplayer that should really sell fans, especially those who enjoy playing co-op shooters with friends.
