Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 on Steam Deck - A GOTY Contender, Best Played Elsewhere

As a fan of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, my journey began with Total War: Warhammer, which led me to explore other titles within the franchise. Games like Boltgun and Rogue Trader quickly became favorites, and my curiosity about Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine was piqued after playing it on my Steam Deck. The anticipation for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 was high, especially after its stunning reveal, and I was eager to dive in across both my Steam Deck and PS5, utilizing the cross-progression feature.

Over the past eight days, I've invested around 22 hours into Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, exploring its gameplay on both platforms and testing the online features. This review is in progress for two key reasons: I need to thoroughly test the cross-platform multiplayer and public servers, and official Steam Deck support is on the way from Focus and Saber, expected by year's end.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a third-person action shooter that delivers a brutal, visually stunning, and engaging experience, welcoming both veterans and newcomers to the Warhammer 40,000 universe. The game kicks off with an engaging tutorial that smoothly introduces combat and movement mechanics, leading you to the Battle Barge hub where you can select missions, adjust cosmetics, and more.

The gameplay is exceptional, with controls and weapons feeling finely tuned. While some may prefer ranged combat, I found the melee experience to be incredibly satisfying and visceral. The campaign shines both solo and in co-op, though I found defense missions less enjoyable. Playing with a friend from another country, the game felt like a modern take on classic co-op shooters from the Xbox 360 era, reminiscent of titles like Earth Defense Force and Gundam Breaker 4.

My experience with Warhammer 40,000 primarily comes from Total War: Warhammer, Dawn of War, Boltgun, and Rogue Trader. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has been a refreshing addition to my gaming library, offering one of the most enjoyable co-op experiences I've had in years. While it's too early to crown it as my favorite Warhammer 40,000 game, I'm thoroughly hooked on playing Operations mode with a friend, exploring different classes and progressing through missions.

The co-op experience in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has been outstanding so far, and I'm eager to test the online features more extensively once the game fully launches with cross-progression and cross-platform play.

Visually, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a feast for the eyes, especially in 4K mode on the PS5. The environments are beautifully crafted, with impressive texture work and lighting that bring the game world to life. The attention to detail in enemy swarms, character customization, and voice acting further enhances the immersive experience. The photo mode, accessible in single-player, allows for creative expression, though it may not look as good on Steam Deck with FSR 2 at lower resolutions.

On the audio front, while the music is solid, the real highlight is the top-tier voice acting and sound design. Although I would have loved to hear Bolt Thrower's Realm of Chaos, the in-game audio perfectly complements the action.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Graphics Options

The PC port of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 offers a robust set of graphics options, including display settings, resolution adjustments, and various quality presets. It supports both DLSS and FSR 2, with FSR 3 planned for post-launch, which should benefit Steam Deck users. The game currently lacks full 16:10 support, but an ultrawide update is on the horizon.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Control Options

Control options on PC are comprehensive, supporting both keyboard and mouse and full controller functionality. Initially, I had issues with PlayStation button prompts on Steam Deck, but disabling Steam Input resolved this. The game also supports adaptive triggers on the DualSense controller over Bluetooth, a feature not commonly found in PC games.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Performance

While Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is technically playable on Steam Deck, it struggles to maintain a stable 30fps even at lower settings. Using Proton GE 9-9 helped with initial freezing issues, but the game's demanding nature makes it challenging for Valve's handheld at present. I hope future updates will improve performance to reach a consistent 30fps.

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

Fortunately, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2's online functionality works well on Steam Deck, with no issues related to anti-cheat or Proton compatibility. I enjoyed several hours of co-op play with a friend in Canada, though I experienced some internet-related disconnections. I look forward to testing the game in a more public setting once it launches.

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

On the PS5, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 offers a solid experience in performance mode, though it doesn't maintain a locked 60fps. The game utilizes dynamic resolution or upscaling, which can lead to some blurriness during intense battles. Load times are quick, and the game supports PS5 Activity Cards for seamless gameplay transitions. However, there's no gyro support at the moment.

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

Cross-progression between Steam and PS5 is functional, though there's a two-day cooldown period before syncing progress again. I've reached out to Focus to confirm if this will change with the final build.

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

It's too early to definitively answer this question, as the servers are not yet fully populated. I'll update this section once I've experienced the game with random players and tested the matchmaking in Operations and Eternal War modes.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Features I Want to See in Updates and Patches

Given the promise of post-launch support, I'm hopeful for improvements in Steam Deck performance and the addition of proper HDR support, which would enhance the game's already stunning visuals. While the DualSense implementation is impressive, I'm looking forward to the inclusion of haptic feedback, which is planned for a future update.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is shaping up to be a strong contender for game of the year. The gameplay is sublime, and the game looks and sounds fantastic across platforms. While I don't recommend playing it on Steam Deck at the moment due to performance issues, it's a solid choice on PS5. I'll provide a full score once I've had more time with the multiplayer and after some patches have been released.

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