The Warhammer 40K Space Marine 2 release date is fast approaching, and it simply cannot come soon enough. It’s been over a decade since the original title sliced and diced into our lives, with the sequel looking to massively benefit from today’s technology to deliver a fierce, brutal experience that longtime fans have been starved of – until now.
A cult classic Warhammer title that sadly seemed to be forgotten until recently was Warhammer 40K: Space Marine. This 2011 title put you in the hulking boots of Ultramarine Titus in a brutal war against the forces of Chaos.
Over a decade later, Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 is finally set to arrive on modern platforms. Before you rev up your chainswords and load your Meltagun, the Emperor commands you to read all the information I have prepared.
What is Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2?
Space Marine 2 is part of the 40K era of Warhammer and a direct sequel to the first Space Marine.
After the events of the first game, without spoiling too much, protagonist and Ultramarine Captain Titus was turned into the Inquisition under suspicion of heresy. Thankfully, he was released and allowed to return to the Ultramarines, though he has been demoted to Lieutenant.
Space Marine 2 will begin during the Fourth Tyranid War, replacing the Orks as the primary antagonists from the first game with Tyranids. For anyone not caught up with their Warhammer history and lore, Tyranids are insect-looking aliens that act as a hivemind that nearly overwhelmed the Ultramarines in previous conflicts.
Gameplay-wise, Space Marine 2 is a third-person shooter, just like the first. You will equip various guns, grenades, and melee weapons to slaughter massive swarms of aliens either alone with AI teammates or in a three-player co-op. It is a bit of a hybrid of Gears of War and World War Z in that sense.
Aside from co-op, there will also be a co-operative Operations mode where you and your squad embark on smaller missions. Eternal War, on the other hand, is a six-vs-six PvP team deathmatch mode.
When is Space Marine 2 Coming Out?
Confirmed Release Date: September 9, 2024
Warhammer: Space Marine 2 is coming out on September 9, 2024. While it’s now less than two weeks away, the wait for the sequel has truly felt like an eternity. The first game dropped a staggering 13 years ago, so it’s been a long time coming.
What Consoles/Platforms Will Space Marine 2 be Available for?
PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
Due to the high visual quality and number of enemies on screen, Space Marine 2 will only be available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Those playing on previous-generation consoles, as well as the Nintendo Switch, are unfortunately out of luck. Given that Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 looks as good as it does, backed by the Swarm Engine, that isn’t entirely surprising.
Space Marine 2 Trailers
The announcement trailer for Space Marine 2 was a huge shock to fans, who had all but given up hope for a sequel. The trailer is mostly CG and shows off the brutal efficiency of the Ultramarines, but it does end with a few quick cuts of gameplay.
Space Marine 2 next appeared at The Game Awards to showcase even more gory gameplay and a release year of 2023 (which… obviously didn’t happen).
The last noteworthy trailer was at 2023’s Game Awards, where we got the final release date trailer.
Why Fans Are Excited
Space Marine didn’t get amazing reviews when it launched, but fans loved the brutal combat and feeling of controlling the walking tank that is an Ultramarine. It became something of a cult hit, but after developer Relic Entertainment was sold to Sega from THQ, there was little hope a sequel would ever come.
While Relic isn’t making Space Marine 2 — this time Saber Interactive is helming the project — the new developers are a perfect fit for the game. Saber previously made World War Z, which featured massive hordes of zombies in a co-op experience. That same style is being applied to Space Marine 2 and looks incredible so far.
This is also a fantastic entry point into the Warhammer 40K universe for those who are put off by tactics and RTS titles.
Space Marine 2 Price
Confirmed price of $70
If you’re only after the Space Marine 2 base game, you’ll need to fork out the industry-standard $70. This is true across the Xbox Store and the PlayStation Store. Curiously, it’s just $60 on Steam on PC, so computer gamers get the best deal here.
With that said, other versions of Space Marine 2 are available. The Gold Edition is set to retail for $100 ($90 on Steam) which includes access to the Macragge’s Chosen DLC and gives you four days of early access to experience the campaign and multiplayer.
Series veterans may also be tempted by the Space Marine 2: Ultimate Edition for $110, which includes everything previously mentioned, the Ultramarines Champion Pack, and the Season Pass. However, it appears to be console-only, as the PC version has the Ultra Edition for $90 and includes everything mentioned.
The Collector’s Edition is the most expensive at $250. It includes a statue of Titus fighting a Tyranid and a 172-page hardcover artbook in addition to all previous rewards. Space Marine 2 pre-orders are available now and will grant you early access if you splash extra cash.
The Bottom Line
Space Marine 2 is shaping up to be a glorious return to the world of Warhammer with your friends. The combat looks brutal and unrelenting in the best way possible. Even if you’re not a fan of the deep and complex lore of Warhammer, any gamer can have a good time ripping an alien in half with a chainsaw sword.