Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2: PS5 Review

Developed by Saber Interactive
Published by Focus Entertainment
Platform: PS5

Hack and slash games rarely come in a more camp package than Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2.

You're in charge of Titus, a big brute of a Space Marine, whose mission is to rid the galaxy of the Tyranids, a race of lizard-like creatures invading and generally causing chaos.

Your help in achieving this task is largely a chainsword that hacks its victims into pieces, and slices and dices where needed. There are also guns to pick up throughout as well, but in truth, nothing is simpler than cutting up your opponents into small pieces.

The thing with Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 is no matter how pompous the opening narrative is, and no matter how seriously the game seems to take itself throughout, it has a very simple MO - to entertain and simply do what it needs to.

Largely, it does so, thanks to its blend of melee conflict and gunplay. There are some particularly cool gameplay tricks on offer - including a chance to hack an enemy first, throw them back and finish them off with a shot from your gun.

It's moments like this where Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 really does come alive as a shooter and slasher, where it stops its seriousness and simply gets on with the business at hand. Sure the story's a little shallow and the dialogue a touch on the bland side, but once you get past that, the game offers just simple fun, and mechanics to achieve that level of joy.

But while the offline game is solid enough, there's a bit more joy to be had with friends squadding up for various levels of multiplayer. Though without friends, the multiplayer is an AI-soulless experience, that still offers the basics of the game, but none of the camaraderie and fun.

Ultimately Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 does exactly what you'd expect. While it's probably fair to say you'd get more of the depth if you're a Warhammer player, the lack of too much lore makes it just about accessible - and enjoyable - enough to non-players.