Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2took the world by storm when it launched, offering players a back-to-basics third-person shooter with some impressive technology behind it, allowing for striking sequences against thousands of Tyranids. It hearkened back to the days ofGears of Warand the originalSpace Marine, where a solid, well-crafted campaign and additional multiplayer offerings were enough for players. Its gorgeous visuals, visceral gameplay, and compelling campaign made it a title worth experiencing.
Of course, now that players have beaten one of thebestWarhammergamesever made, they want something new. Fortunately, there are a lot of games that fit theSpace Marine 2description, whether that’s as an enjoyable third-person shooter or aWarhammer-focused experience that gets the lore right. Ranging from indies, CRPGs, gory third-person shooters, and more,there are so many games thatSpace Marine 2enthusiasts should absolutely check out.
10Warhammer 40,000: Darktide (Fatshark)
A 40K First-Person Shooter
Warhammer 40,000: Darktideis probably the closest toSpace Marine 2players will getas it offers a co-op, high-quality, modern, and brutally violent look at the grimdark40kuniverse through the eyes of mankind. Players will fight through Operation-style missions as they attempt to complete objectives across sizable and intricately designed maps set within the gloriously Gothic locales of the Imperium of Man. There are also hordes of enemies to fight - although not quite as many asSpace Marine 2’sTyranids - which make each encounter feel incredibly intense.
10 Warhammer 40K Factions That Deserve The Space Marine 2 Treatment
Warhammer 40,000 has many interesting factions that would offer some fun gameplay in a Space Marine 2-style action game and explore new perspectives.
Darktidewasreleased to positive reviews, although it had its fair share of problems. Luckily,it has been updated quite a lot by its developer, Fatshark, and now offers a far more polished experience. However, there are some key differences betweenDarktideand Space Marine 2. For one, it’s a first-person game rather than third-person. It also involves the Astra Militarum - also known as the Imperial Guard - who are a lot weaker than Space Marines but have their own unique traits, including the powerful Psyker class who can wield Warp energy.
9Gears Of War 5 (The Coalition)
One Of The Best In The Series
Of course, the most apt game to play afterWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2is the one that inspired it the most. TheGears of Warseries has so many incredible games - withsome being better than others- forSpace Marine 2fans to jump right into. It tells a complex narrative across the entire series, althoughthe fifth entry serves as a strong starting point as it both has some of the best game design of all theGearsgames and doesn’t rely too heavily on preexisting loreand characters to tell its narrative.
However,really any of theGears of Wargames would fit the bill. Much likeSpace Marine 2,Gears of Wartakes players through action-packed environments set in a grimdark universe against a seemingly unstoppable alien force. Players even control larger-than-life (literally) super soldiers in big, heavy armor as they stomp about cutting into enemies with their chainsaw guns. IfSpace Marine 2fans are going to play any game similar to it, they should absolutely play aGears of Wargame.
8Aliens: Fireteam Elite (Cold Iron Studios)
Another Gory Licensed Sci-Fi Third-Person Shooter
Aliens: Fireteam Eliteis, much likeDarktideandSpace Marine 2’sOperation mode,a series of challenging replayable missions in which players blast bugs with large guns. There are several classes to choose from, each of which has its own abilities and gun types that it specializes in, so coordinating with the other players in a squad is paramount.
WhileAliens: Fireteam Eliteis a co-op experience, players can enjoy it alone. The entire game is playable with bots, much likeSpace Marine 2, although rather than giving the player other marines to fight alongside, they’re given Working Joes.
Importantly, many ofAliens: Fireteam Elite’sbest featurescan be found inSpace Marine 2, including swarms of Tyranid-like aliens, enjoyable objectives, and military sci-fi themes.It’s another game that does its IP justice, especially for those who are fans of the more action-packed sequel film that this film is most inspired by. For sci-fi fans and especiallySpace Marine 2enthusiasts,Aliens: Fireteam Eliteis a must.
7Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (Owlcat Games)
A 40K CRPG With Great Writing
A slightly different yet nevertheless enjoyable game that fans ofSpace Marine 2should play is the incredibly rich CRPG,Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. Of course, in terms of gameplay,Rogue Traderis a vastly different experience.It is a turn-based tactical adventure in which players venture out across the galaxy on an expertly written journeyfull of fascinating characters from across the 40k mythos.
However, for those who got intoWarhammer 40kthroughSpace Marine 2, or those who have been interested in it for a long time,Rogue Traderis a phenomenal experience. Itunderstands theWarhammer 40kIPbetter than mostWarhammergames, and its grander scale allows it to feature factions that were missed inSpace Marine 2.Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Traderis easily one of the best40kgamesand a great experience forSpace Marine 2fans.
6Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun (Auroch Digital)
A Perfect Warhammer Boomer Shooter
Many may not know ofWarhammer 40,000: Boltgun, or even itsconnection toSpace Marine 2’sstory. However,Boltgunis an integral part of theSpace Marineseries as it is set between the events of the first and second games. More importantly,Warhammer 40,000: Boltgunis a truly terrific boomer shooter that nails the visceral and violent nature of the franchisewith its crunchy gameplay and staggering visuals.
Boltgun follows the challenging quest of a lone Ultramarine as they attempt to cut through the hordes of Chaos demons and marines using weaponsSpace Marine 2fans will be all too familiar with. The chainsword, an iconic Space Marine weapon, is given greater importance inBoltgunand is accompanied by an incredibly satisfying and suitably gory animation.Boltgunis a great40kgame and an even better boomer shooterworthy of allSpace Marine 2fans' time.
5Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine (Relic Entertainment)
It Got A Sequel For A Reason
Of course, when discussing games likeWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, its predecessor deserves a mention. From both a gameplay and narrative perspective, the firstSpace Marinegame issurprisingly identical to the sequel. So,fans who skipped it should feel right at home. It’s a gory third-person shooter that takes players through a war-torn Imperial Forge planet, not unlikeSpace Marine 2, as they attempt to prevent a Chaos Sorcerer from destroying the galaxy.
Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 - How Titus Is Still Alive After 200 Years
Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 reveals that there is a 200 year time jump from the first game, and Titus is still alive to be the protagonist of both.
It is a lot of fun to see the origins of Titus and his rivalry with Leandros, although it’s worth noting that in the first game, he was voiced by Mark Strong and not Clive Standen. The originalSpace Marineisn’t quite as refined as its sequel for obvious reasons, but it still holds up relatively well. It is well worth either playing it for the first time or revisiting it for those who are craving more ofSpace Marine 2’sgory action.
4Space Hulk: Deathwing Enhanced Edition (Streum On Studio/Cyanide)
A First-Person Space Marine Gore Fest
Space Hulk: Deathwing Enhanced Editionis a first-person40kgame, not unlikeDarktide, that sees players take on the role of a Space Marine Terminator as they stomp around a titular space hulk attempting to cull a horde of Tyranids. It’s not hard to see the connections betweenSpace Marine 2andSpace Hulk: Deathwing, asthey both feature towering customizable Space Marines and a plethora of Tyranids to kill.
However,what makesSpace Hulk: Deathwing Enhanced Editionso worthwhile is how it explores different facets of the40klore. Its depiction of a space hulk is mesmerizing, largely thanks to the incredible art direction, and some of the towering Gothic architecture is a sight to behold. There are a lot more tactical elements toSpace Hulk: Deathwing- as it is adapted from a board game - which makes it all the more immersive.
3Evil West (Flying Wild Hog)
Space Marine 2 With Cowboys
Evil Westis very much likeWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2with cowboys. It’s a third-person action-packed adventure in which players take on the role of a gunslinging cowboy as they try to rid the Wild West of demons and vampires.There’s co-op for those who enjoy playingSpace Marine 2with a friend, or the entire experience can be played alone as a lone wolf saving the US on their own.
Evil Westis the best game for those who enjoyedSpace Marine 2’scampaign. It’s more narrative-driven and cutscene-heavy than the likes ofAliens: Fireteam EliteorSpace Hulk: Deathwing.Evil West’sblend of horror, gory action, and special abilities makes it the ideal title for those who enjoyed ripping and tearing through TyranidsinSpace Marine 2.
2Vanquish (PlatinumGames/Little Stone Software)
Like Space Marine 2 At 2x Speed
Vanquishis very much like someone turnedSpace Marine 2up to 2x speed. Rather than a lumberingSpace Marine, players take control of Sam, an agile super soldier with boosters that can send him flying a thousand miles per hour around an arena. With frenetic action against robot forces and giant bosses,Vanquishis an explosive, action-packed game with phenomenal pacing.
It’s also developed by PlatinumGames, which is famous for its unique approach to action. It has taken everything it learned from theBayonettagames and applied it toVanquish, making its gunplay feel truly unique. While it is a lot faster-paced thanSpace Marine 2,Vanquishis still absolutely worth playing, even if it’s for its style, great story, and thrilling movement.
1World War Z: Aftermath (Saber Interactive)
A Zombie Horde Shooter Like Space Marine 2
BeforeSpace Marine 2, Saber Interactive developedWorld War Z, based on the film of the same name, in which players fight hordes of zombies alongside their friends.It revolutionized the swarm technology that was later used to create the immense Tyranid hordesthat Titus and his Space Marine brothers had to contend with. There’s something truly horrifying about seeing wave upon wave of zombies climbing on top of each other to tear out the player’s throat.
World War Z: Aftermath is a re-released version of the original World War Z game. It bundles in all of the content from the original game while adding new features such as a first-person mode.
Luckily,World War Z: Aftermathis a thrilling experience that makes its scary action as enjoyable as possible. It’s no surprise it reviewed well at launch, offering players plenty of enjoyable and replayable missions to work their way through with friends. For those who are intrigued to see howSpace Marine 2became the game that it eventually was, World War Z: Aftermath is a must-play.
