Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2 on Steam Deck - Promising but Play Elsewhere

As a long-time enthusiast of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, I've eagerly anticipated the release of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. My journey into the Warhammer series began with Total War: Warhammer, which led me to explore other titles like Boltgun and Rogue Trader. Recently, I've had the chance to dive into Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, spending about 22 hours across my Steam Deck and PS5, utilizing the game's cross-progression feature to test its performance on both platforms. This review is a work in progress as I await the full launch to explore cross-platform multiplayer and official Steam Deck support, which Focus and Saber Interactive aim to implement by year's end.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a third-person action shooter that captures the brutal, gorgeous essence of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, making it welcoming for both newcomers and seasoned fans. The game starts with an engaging tutorial that smoothly introduces the basics of combat and movement before leading you to the Battle Barge, your central hub for mission selection, customization, and more. The gameplay is exceptional, with controls and weapons feeling finely tuned. Whether you prefer the precision of ranged combat or the visceral thrill of melee, the game delivers a satisfying experience. The campaign shines in both solo and co-op modes, though I found the defense missions less appealing.

Playing with a friend overseas, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 feels like a modern take on classic co-op shooters, reminiscent of the Xbox 360 era. The game has captivated me much like Earth Defense Force and Gundam Breaker 4, and I'm hopeful that Saber and Focus can collaborate with SEGA to remaster the original Space Marine's campaign. My experience with Warhammer 40,000 primarily stems from Total War: Warhammer, Dawn of War, Boltgun, and Rogue Trader, yet Space Marine 2 stands out as one of my favorite co-op experiences in recent years. I'm eager to continue playing, especially in Operations mode, experimenting with different classes and progressing through missions and unlocks.

While I haven't yet played with random players, my co-op experience so far has been excellent. I'm excited to explore the full online capabilities when the game officially launches with cross-progression and cross-platform play. Visually, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is stunning on both PS5 and Steam Deck. On PS5, especially in 4K mode on a 1440p monitor, the environments are breathtaking, and the attention to detail in textures, lighting, and the sheer number of enemies is impressive. The customization options and photo mode enhance the immersive experience, though some effects on Steam Deck can appear less polished when using FSR 2 and lower resolutions.

The audio in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is equally impressive, with top-tier voice acting and sound design. While the music is fitting and enhances the in-game atmosphere, it hasn't yet stood out as something I'd listen to outside the game. The PC version of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 includes a robust set of graphics options, from display settings to resolution and upscaling types, ensuring players can tailor their experience. It supports DLSS and FSR 2, with FSR 3 planned for a future update, which could further enhance performance on the Steam Deck.

Control options are comprehensive, with full support for keyboard, mouse, and controllers. On the Steam Deck, I initially encountered issues with PlayStation button prompts, but disabling Steam Input resolved this. The game also supports adaptive triggers on the DualSense controller over Bluetooth, a notable feature. However, performance on the Steam Deck remains a challenge. Even with optimized settings, maintaining a stable 30fps is difficult, with frequent dips during intense combat. I hope future updates will address this, as the game is currently too demanding for the Steam Deck.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Graphics Options

The PC version of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 offers extensive graphics customization. Players can adjust display settings, resolution, render resolution, upscaling options (TAA or FSR 2), and various quality settings, including texture filtering, shadows, and more. The game ships with DLSS and FSR 2 support, with FSR 3 planned for post-launch, which should benefit Steam Deck users.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Control Options

The game supports both keyboard and mouse and full controller functionality. On the Steam Deck, toggling off Steam Input ensures proper PlayStation button prompts, and the game even supports adaptive triggers wirelessly with the DualSense controller, a feature not commonly found in PC games.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Performance

While technically playable on the Steam Deck without configuration changes, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 struggles to maintain a steady 30fps, even at lower settings. Using Proton GE 9-9 helped mitigate some freezing issues, but the game's performance remains subpar on Valve's handheld, with frequent drops in frame rate during intense gameplay.

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

Online play on the Steam Deck is functional and enjoyable, with no issues related to anti-cheat software blocking Proton or Linux users. My co-op sessions with a friend in Canada were seamless, though occasional internet-related disconnections occurred on pre-release servers.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PS5 Features – DualSense, Activity Cards, and Performance Mode

On the PS5, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 offers a solid experience, though the performance mode doesn't always maintain a locked 60fps. The game features fast load times, Activity Card support, and utilizes the DualSense controller's adaptive triggers effectively. However, gyro support is absent, which I hope will be added in future updates.

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

The cross-progression feature allows for seamless gameplay between Steam and PS5, though there's a two-day cooldown period before syncing to another platform. I'm awaiting confirmation on whether this cooldown will remain in the final build.

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

While I can't fully assess the solo experience without testing the populated servers at launch, the campaign is highly enjoyable and promises a robust experience. I'll update this section once I've experienced the full range of multiplayer modes.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Features I Want to See in Updates and Patches

With planned post-launch support, I'm particularly eager for improved Steam Deck performance and HDR support, which would enhance the game's already stunning visuals. Additionally, the inclusion of haptic feedback for the DualSense controller would be a welcome addition.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is shaping up to be a strong contender for game of the year. While I need more time to fully assess the multiplayer aspects and await performance patches for the Steam Deck, the game's gameplay, visuals, and audio are exceptional. I highly recommend it on the PS5, but suggest waiting for further optimizations before playing on the Steam Deck. I'll update this review with a final score once I've had ample time with the multiplayer and after some patches have been released.

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