Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Review (in Progress) – GOTY Contender, but Play It Elsewhere for Now

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2: A Deep Dive Review (Steam Deck & PS5)

For years, many fans eagerly anticipated Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. My own journey began with Total War: Warhammer, sparking an interest in the broader 40k universe and leading to experiences with Boltgun and Rogue Trader. A preliminary Steam Deck playthrough piqued my interest further. After the game's stunning reveal, I was thrilled to dive into the full experience.

Over the past week, I’ve logged approximately 22 hours with Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, utilizing both my Steam Deck and PS5, thanks to cross-progression, and testing online functionality. This review is ongoing for two key reasons: thorough evaluation demands comprehensive cross-platform multiplayer testing, and official Steam Deck support is promised by Focus and Saber by year's end.

Given the game's impressive visuals and gameplay on Steam Deck, and the availability of cross-progression, I was keen 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 seamlessly blends brutality, stunning visuals, and engaging gameplay, making it accessible even to newcomers to the Warhammer 40,000 universe. A concise yet effective tutorial introduces core combat and movement mechanics, before leading to the Battle Barge hub, where mission selection, game mode choices, cosmetic adjustments, and more are handled.

The moment-to-moment gameplay is exceptional, with controls and weapons feeling perfectly balanced. While some might prefer ranged combat, I personally relished the visceral melee combat. The execution animations are consistently satisfying, and mowing down hordes of enemies before encountering stronger foes remains endlessly entertaining. The campaign is highly enjoyable solo or with friends in co-op, though I found defense missions less engaging.

Playing with a friend overseas, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 felt like a high-budget, modern take on Xbox 360-era co-op shooters, a style rarely seen today. It captivated me much like Earth Defense Force or Gundam Breaker 4, and I hope Saber and Focus collaborate with SEGA to modernize the original game's campaign.

My Warhammer 40,000 knowledge primarily comes from Total War: Warhammer, Dawn of War, Boltgun, and Rogue Trader. Despite this, Space Marine 2 has been a refreshing experience, ranking among my favorite co-op games in years. While it's too early to declare it my favorite 40k title, the addictive Operations mode with a friend, class variety, and steady progression keeps me hooked.

While a final judgment awaits full launch and random matchmaking, my co-op experience has been outstanding. I eagerly anticipate testing the online functionality with a wider player base once cross-progression and cross-platform play are fully active.

Visually, on both PS5 and Steam Deck, the game is a standout. The PS5's 4K mode (on my 1440p monitor) is particularly impressive. The environments are breathtaking, and the sheer number of enemies, detailed textures, and dynamic lighting create a truly immersive experience. This is complemented by exceptional voice acting and extensive customization options, showcasing clear dedication to player creativity.

A photo mode, accessible in single-player, allows for adjustments to framing, expressions, visible characters, FOV, and more. However, on Steam Deck with FSR 2 and lower resolutions, some effects aren't optimized. The PS5 photo mode, in contrast, is exceptional.

The music, while good, hasn't reached the level of my personal favorites, unlike the voice acting and sound design which are top-tier. The soundtrack works perfectly within the game's context.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Graphics Options

The PC port, while primarily tested on Steam Deck, offers a robust set of features. Epic Online Services are integrated, but account linking isn't mandatory. Graphics settings are extensive, encompassing display mode, resolution, render resolution, quality presets (balanced, performance, ultra performance), upscaling (TAA or FSR 2 on Steam Deck), dynamic resolution targeting, v-sync, brightness, motion blur, fps limit, and various quality-related settings.

Four presets adjust texture filtering, resolution, shadows, ambient occlusion, reflections, volumetrics, effects, details, and cloth simulation. DLSS and FSR 2 are supported at launch, with FSR 3 planned post-launch. I anticipate significant benefits on Steam Deck once fully supported. 16:10 support is also desired.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Control Options

The game offers keyboard and mouse controls and full controller support. Initially, PlayStation button prompts weren't displayed on Steam Deck by default, but disabling Steam Input resolved this. Adaptive triggers are configurable, further enhanced by disabling Steam Input. Remapping keyboard and mouse controls is also possible. The DualSense controller (Bluetooth) displays PlayStation prompts and supports adaptive triggers wirelessly, a noteworthy feature.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Performance

While initial launch freezing issues on default Proton were resolved using Proton GE 9-9, the game is technically playable on Steam Deck without configuration changes, 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 20s, even lower at times. Lowering resolution doesn't significantly improve performance. Achieving a consistent 30fps currently seems unlikely. The dynamic upscaling mode aims for 30fps, but still experiences drops. The game also occasionally requires manual force-closing.

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

Online multiplayer functions flawlessly on Steam Deck, despite concerns about anti-cheat measures. Co-op play with a friend in Canada was smooth, with only minor internet-related disconnections during the pre-release period. Further testing with random players is planned for the full launch.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PS5 Features

Performance mode on PS5 provides a largely positive experience, though a locked 60fps isn't achieved, and dynamic resolution seems to be in use. Load times are fast, and PS5 Activity Card support is included. Gyro support is currently absent.

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

Cross-save progression between Steam and PS5 worked well in my pre-release testing, with a two-day cooldown period between syncs. The final implementation remains to be confirmed.

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

A definitive answer awaits further testing with random players and the Eternal War (PvP) mode.

Desired Future Updates and Patches

Post-launch support is expected. HDR support would significantly enhance the visuals, and haptic feedback on the DualSense would be a welcome addition.

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

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