A Deep Dive into Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – A Steam Deck and PS5 Review in Progress

For years, many gamers anticipated Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. My own journey began with Total War: Warhammer, leading me to explore other titles in the 40k universe, including Boltgun and Rogue Trader. Months ago, I briefly sampled the original Space Marine on my Steam Deck. Now, having extensively played Space Marine 2 across both Steam Deck and PS5, leveraging cross-progression and online features, I'm ready to share my ongoing impressions.

This review is a work in progress for two key reasons: a complete evaluation requires thorough testing of cross-platform multiplayer and public server stability; and Focus and Saber are actively developing official Steam Deck support, targeting release by year's end.

Having witnessed Space Marine 2's stunning visuals and gameplay on the Steam Deck, and given the cross-progression feature, I was eager to see how it performed. The news is mixed, and this review will cover all aspects: 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 utilized Proton GE 9-9 and Proton Experimental.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a third-person action shooter that's brutal, visually impressive, and incredibly fun, even for 40k newcomers. The tutorial provides a solid foundation in combat and movement before launching you into the Battle Barge hub. Here, you select missions, game modes, customize your appearance, and more.

The moment-to-moment gameplay is exceptional. Controls and weapons feel perfectly tuned. While ranged combat is viable, I found myself drawn to the visceral melee combat and satisfying executions. The campaign is enjoyable solo or with friends in co-op, although I found defense missions less engaging.

Playing with a friend overseas, Space Marine 2 felt like a high-budget, modern take on Xbox 360-era co-op shooters – a rarity these days. It captivated me much like 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 from Total War: Warhammer, Dawn of War, Boltgun, and Rogue Trader. Space Marine 2 offers a refreshing take and stands as one of my favorite co-op experiences in years. It's too early to declare it my favorite 40k game, but the addictive Operations mode, class variety, and steady progression keep me coming back.

While full launch testing with random players is needed, my co-op experience has been outstanding. I eagerly anticipate testing the online functionality with cross-play and cross-platform online features.

Visually, Space Marine 2 shines on both PS5 (in 4K on my 1440p monitor) and Steam Deck. The environments are breathtaking, and the sheer number of enemies, detailed textures, and dynamic lighting create a truly immersive experience. This is complemented by excellent voice acting and extensive customization options, allowing for creative self-expression.

The single-player photo mode offers extensive customization, although some effects appear less refined on Steam Deck with FSR 2 and lower resolutions. The PS5 photo mode, however, is superb.

The audio is equally impressive. While the music, while good, doesn't stand out as memorable outside the game, 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 a robust set of graphics options. While Epic Online Services is integrated, account linking isn't mandatory. Options include display mode, resolution, render resolution, quality presets (Balanced, Performance, Ultra Performance), upscaling (TAA, FSR 2), dynamic resolution, V-sync, brightness, motion blur, FPS limit, and granular control over various quality settings.

DLSS and FSR 2 are supported, with FSR 3 planned post-launch. I anticipate significant Steam Deck improvements with FSR 3. Full 16:10 support would also be a welcome addition.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Control Options

The game supports keyboard and mouse, along with 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 present, further enhanced by disabling Steam Input. Remapping keyboard and mouse bindings is also possible. My DualSense controller (Bluetooth) displayed PlayStation prompts and even supported adaptive triggers wirelessly, a notable feature.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Performance

While I experienced some initial freezing on default Proton and Experimental, Proton GE 9-9 proved stable. Space Marine 2 is technically playable on Steam Deck without configuration, but it pushes the handheld's limits.

At 1280x800 (16:9) with low settings and FSR 2.0 at Ultra Performance, maintaining a locked 30fps is challenging, with frequent dips into the mid-20s and lower during intense combat. Even at lower resolutions, frame rates fall below 30fps. This isn't ideal for such a demanding game. I hope future optimization allows for consistent 30fps performance. In my 10 hours of playtime on my Steam Deck OLED, this wasn't achievable.

Dynamic upscaling targeting 30fps with low settings achieves 30fps at times but still drops to the low 20s. The visuals remain good on the Deck's screen, but the game is currently too demanding for optimal performance. Occasional improper exits also require manual force-closing.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Multiplayer Impressions

Online play on Steam Deck functions flawlessly. Co-op sessions with a friend in Canada were smooth. Internet-related disconnections occurred, but these are expected on pre-release servers. Further testing with random players and friends post-launch is needed.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PS5 Features – DualSense, Activity Cards, and Performance Mode

On PS5 (Performance Mode), the game feels excellent, though a locked 60fps isn't guaranteed. Dynamic resolution or upscaling is apparent, causing blurriness in some large-scale battles. Load times are fast, and PS5 Activity Cards provide convenient access to modes and save files. Gyro support is currently absent.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Cross-Save Progression

Cross-progression between Steam and PS5 is functional (pre-release), with a two-day cooldown period between platform syncs. The final build's cooldown status remains to be confirmed.

Is Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Worth It for Solo Play Only?

This question requires further evaluation post-launch with fuller servers. Online matchmaking in Operations (PvE) and Eternal War (PvP) modes needs testing. Eternal War remains untested at this time.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Features I Want to See

Post-launch updates should prioritize improved Steam Deck performance and HDR support. The visuals would benefit greatly from HDR. While DualSense trigger and vibration implementation is good, haptic feedback would enhance the experience. The blog post mentions haptics are not included at launch, suggesting future inclusion.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a strong Game of the Year contender. While online multiplayer testing is ongoing, the gameplay is exceptional, and the visuals and audio are superb across both platforms. I currently don't recommend it for Steam Deck, but it's highly recommended on PS5. A final score will follow post-launch multiplayer testing and patching.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Review Score: TBA