The second space marine is attempting to save Private Ryan.

What if there were super soldiers among the British forces that landed in Normandy on D-Day? Sorry, I’m not talking about the Tom Cruise time-traveling film Edge of Tomorrow, which is a must-see. Instead, I’m playing Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, the sequel to the cult hit from 2011.

Upon awakening from his Primarized state, Captain Titus encounters legions of Tyranid invaders rather than metallic aliens tunneling beneath his flesh. The opening scenario, which is a hybrid of Saving Private Ryan and Predator and arrives just in time to support the Astra Militarum in their well-entrenched warfare, instantly builds upon all the fantastic elements of the first game.

The waves of xenos bugs explode in pools of viscera as your bolter shells detonate upon their armoured carapaces, but the original pitted Titus against the troops of Chaos and the Orks. Swiftly outpacing your Astra Militarum friends’ trenches, you lead your elite Primaris Space Marine squad in a stunning counteroffensive. In a scene that is both gritty and thrilling, the three of you battle through a swarm of extraterrestrial beasties.



Space Marine 2 employs all the standard techniques for a shooter of this type, launching a barrage of cannon fodder at first, then bringing in bigger, more formidable foes to put your skills to the test and teach you the ropes. Ammo replenishment boxes and healing kits are plentiful, but if you place yourself incorrectly or have a too enthusiastic attitude, it could be your downfall. The two Warriors who are savage and ready to kill you are too strong for even Mark X Power Armor to protect you from.

If the game’s opening, action-packed phase is similar to Saving Private Ryan, the aftermath is more like Aliens meets Predator. The Tyranids are clearly inspired by Geiger’s Xenomorph, and the waves of beasties are reminiscent of James Cameron’s action movie from the 1980s, but the rainforest environment and quieter scenes are more like those of its competitor franchise. Captain Titus uses Bolt Rifle and Chainsword in unison to cut through his enemies like a powerloaded Weaver or a rifle-wielding Schwarzenegger.

The largest alteration from the original game is the Tyranids, but there will be many more. As they say, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Aficionados of Games Workshop’s science fiction world will be crossing their fingers for additional Primaris delights, such as armor inspired by Gravis or Terminator, Stalker-style Bolt Rifles, and Jump Packs, the most entertaining feature of the previous game. Although Jump Pack Primaris Marines are not yet included in the tabletop wargame, it is assumed that they will be included in Space Marine 2, most likely in a model release that coincides with it.



Everything you might hope for in a sequel is hinted at in the Space Marine 2 teaser. The horde-fighting action remains unchanged, but there are new enemies and weaponry to take out. We’re not playing this for the story, but Captain Titus’s ascent to the Rubicon Primaris is shrouded in mystery, as his new colleagues mention to him. We’re pretending to be super soldiers in a distant future D-Day, having to burst through walls of chitinous gribblies and fight off an aggressive invader. Whether they use Neurolictors, Norn Emissaries, or simply ply us with the tried and trusted elite Genestealers, the Tyranids will probably have a few surprises in store as well.

In case you were becoming tired of green, Space Marine 2 promises more of the same while giving us a new enemy to defeat. And really, what more could Warhammer fans want after such a strong debut?