The amazing WORLD in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 - 1-Year Anniversary Edition
What's up my HIVE gamers, how are you all doing? I hope you're doing great! Today I'm back with a post about a different game, but let me tell you, it's a BANGER, and I just couldn't skip making this post. After buying Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 - 1-Year Anniversary Edition, I finally decided to download and install it. I had been eyeing this game for a long time, and when the sale showed up I didn't even think twice. I got it for $13 on Steam, and well, time to play!
For anyone who doesn't know, it was released back in September 2024. The Anniversary Edition includes the base game plus the Season Pass, which adds a bunch of cosmetics inspired by different Space Marine chapters. Also, when the first anniversary came around, the developers released a huge free update with new modes, new maps, weapons and enemies, so it's a pretty good time to jump in.
This is not going to be a first impressions post. I know that's something I usually do when I get a new game, but not this time, I'll do it later. And do you want to know why? Because I want to show you the graphics directly, along with a really, really good photo mode that allowed me to take some spectacular images of the whole massive setting that Space Marine 2 offers. So, let's get started.
An IMPACTFUL atmosphere and scenery from the very beginning
The world of Space Marine 2 is simply amazing. Let's not talk about the story, let's not talk about the mechanics, let's just talk about how it looks, guys. The game is built on Saber's Swarm Engine, and you can really feel it, because the level of detail is everywhere. Every corner of the screen is packed with huge structures, gothic architecture, ruins and fire. Everything feels enormous, like you're a tiny piece inside a gigantic war machine, even when you're wearing a massive power armor.
Something that impressed me a lot is the scale of everything. You look up and there are towers, ships and battle scenes going on in the distance, and you just stop for a moment to look around, even if there's a fight waiting for you. The lighting is also incredible, with those heavy shadows, orange glows from the fires and cold blue tones in some areas that make the whole thing feel dark and epic at the same time.
Just enjoy these incredible photos and nothing else:
Blood, blood and more blood for the battles
Okay, this is just a sample. This is only the tutorial, and the campaign itself is a lot more bloody. But here, in this first mission, they let you see, and in a really good way, what you're going to face during the game. Of course, without spoiling too much, but they introduce you to the action in a very good way. The combat is brutal, fast and heavy at the same time. Every hit feels like it has weight, every shot from the bolter feels powerful, and when you get close to the enemies and start using melee, you can really feel the strength of a Space Marine.
And this is only the beginning. The game is known for having hundreds of enemies on screen at the same time, which is something I'm really looking forward to experiencing further into the campaign. In the tutorial you already get a small taste of the chaos, with enemies coming from everywhere and blood covering everything. It's gory, it's violent, and it looks really good doing it.
Just take a look:
Some AMAZING cinematics
Obviously the cinematics couldn't be left behind, and boy, they aren't. They offer some incredible scenes. Even though I'm not a follower of the franchise, and this is actually the first Warhammer game I've played besides Space Hulk, this universe has always stood out for its art concept and really good graphic work, and here they make it noticeable. The armors, the ships, the dark tone of the whole world, everything has that grimdark style that makes Warhammer so recognizable.
What I liked the most is how the cinematics blend with the gameplay. There's no big jump in quality between one and the other, so you go from watching a scene to fighting without feeling like something changed. That makes everything feel much more immersive.
Look at these pieces:
Final thoughts
Space Marine 2: Warhammer 40K - 1 Year Anniversary Edition has definitely been a great experience at first sight, nothing to complain about. It's worth every penny paid, and if you can get this game, I would totally recommend it. It has no waste. For $13 I feel like I got a really good deal, especially with all the content that came with the anniversary update and the season pass.
I'll be back soon with my first impressions and more about the gameplay, the classes, the co-op and everything else this game has to offer. So, gamers, have you played Space Marine 2? Or are you thinking about getting it? Let me know in the comments what you think about it, and if you have any tips for a beginner in the Warhammer universe, I'll gladly take them. See you in a next post!