Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 review

The story picks up with Lieutenant Titus, now donning a new rank as a Captain, returning to the forefront of humanity’s desperate war for survival. The Tyranid invasion has reached catastrophic levels, threatening to engulf the Imperium of Man in a tide of teeth and claws. Titus, alongside a squad of battle-hardened Ultramarines, takes the fight to the enemy, delivering righteous retribution. The narrative strikes a perfect balance between grimdark lore and bombastic action, keeping you invested while ensuring every mission feels monumental.

From the moment you step into the ceramite boots of Titus, you’re greeted by visuals so crisp and vivid, they’d make the Mechanicus priests blush. The RX 7900 XTX effortlessly handles the game’s sprawling battlefields, intricately detailed armors, and the teeming masses of Tyranids vying to rip you apart. Even during the most chaotic moments, the GPU maintains a buttery-smooth 4K experience at 60 FPS—no stutters, no hiccups, just pure, unrelenting carnage.

The level design is varied and expansive, ranging from bombed-out cities teeming with swarms of Tyranids to the gothic spires of an Imperial stronghold under siege. The combat scenarios encourage a mix of ranged firepower and up-close melee, and the ability to seamlessly transition between the two keeps the gameplay dynamic and thrilling. Special abilities, like Titus’ devastating ground slam, add an extra layer of strategy, letting you control the battlefield in style.

However, the game does have its drawbacks. While the core gameplay loop of slaughtering Tyranids is immensely satisfying, it can start to feel repetitive over extended play sessions. Enemy variety is somewhat lacking, with most engagements boiling down to swarms of fodder enemies with the occasional boss fight to spice things up. The absence of deeper progression systems or meaningful character customization also means the game relies heavily on its moment-to-moment action to keep players engaged.

The real MVP here is AMD’s FSR 3.1 technology. Here’s how it impacts performance:

1. Native 4K Resolution (Ultra Settings, No FSR): The RX 7900 XTX delivers an average of approximately 70 FPS, which is already impressive for such a visually demanding game.

2. 4K Resolution with FSR 3.1 Quality Mode: Enabling FSR 3.1 in Quality mode boosts performance significantly, achieving frame rates exceeding 120 FPS. The visuals remain nearly indistinguishable from native 4K, with sharp textures and minimal artifacts.

3. 4K Resolution with FSR 3.1 Performance Mode: Switching to Performance mode cranks the frame rate to over 140 FPS. While there’s a slight dip in visual fidelity, particularly in highly detailed scenes, it’s a worthwhile trade-off for those seeking ultra-smooth gameplay.

Thanks to FSR’s improved temporal stability, ghosting and shimmering are practically eliminated at least in 4K, even in fast-paced battles. It’s like having an adeptus tech-savvyus in your corner, optimizing every pixel for glory. If you are playing at lower resolutions, you will definitely see a lot more shimmering and unwanted effects added.

The combat in Space Marine 2 is an adrenaline-fueled ballet of violence. Melee swings with a chainsword land with enough force to make you flinch, while the iconic bolter feels like a hand-held thunderstorm. The haptic feedback—paired with the seamless rendering capabilities of the RX 7900 XTX—turns every kill into a moment of cathartic joy.

The addition of co-op mode is a masterstroke. Teaming up with two other players (or AI companions) to tackle the Tyranid swarms adds layers of strategy and camaraderie to the chaos. Even with three Ultramarines on-screen, the RX 7900 XTX doesn’t break a sweat, delivering consistently high performance. However, the AI companions can feel a little lackluster compared to human players, occasionally making questionable tactical decisions that break immersion.

Boss fights, while visually spectacular, could use more variety and depth. Many rely on simple mechanics that boil down to dodging a handful of predictable attacks before unloading damage. While this approach ensures accessibility, more experienced players might find them underwhelming.

The orchestral score and ambient sound design are as relentless as the combat. Every roar of the bolter, every screech of a dying Tyranid, is rendered with clarity and weight. The RX 7900 XTX doesn’t just excel in visuals; its ability to process advanced sound effects adds another layer of immersion. You’ll feel the battlefield in your bones.

That said, some sound effects can feel overused. The constant battle chatter, while initially engaging, may start to grate during longer sessions. A bit more variety in voice lines and ambient noise would go a long way in maintaining immersion.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a stunning yet flawed action spectacle. Despite its repetitive gameplay and limited depth, it delivers relentless fun and jaw-dropping visuals that fans of the franchise will adore. In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war—and with the right tech, it’s absolutely glorious.