Space Marine 2 on Steam Deck: Promising but Play Elsewhere

As a dedicated fan of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, my journey began with Total War: Warhammer, which led me to explore other titles within the franchise. Games like Boltgun and Rogue Trader quickly became my favorites, and my curiosity about the series led me to try the original Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine on Steam Deck. The anticipation for its sequel, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, was palpable, especially after its stunning reveal.

Over the past eight days, I've immersed myself in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, logging about 22 hours across my Steam Deck and PS5, thanks to the seamless cross-progression feature. This review remains in progress because I haven't yet tested the cross-platform multiplayer and public server experience, both of which are crucial for a comprehensive assessment. Additionally, official Steam Deck support is in the works by Focus and Saber, expected by year's end.

My interest in how Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 performs on the Steam Deck stems from my experience with the first game and the promise of cross-progression. While there's good and bad news regarding its current performance on Valve's handheld, I'll delve into the gameplay, online co-op, visuals, PC and PS5 features, and more. Note that the screenshots with performance overlays or fps indicators are from my Steam Deck OLED, while the 16:9 screenshots are from my PS5 playthrough. My tests were conducted using Proton GE 9-9 and Proton Experimental (bleeding edge).

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a third-person action shooter that masterfully blends brutality, beauty, and fun, making it accessible even to newcomers to the Warhammer 40,000 universe. The game kicks off with a well-crafted tutorial that introduces you to combat and movement basics, leading you to the Battle Barge, your central hub for mission selection, game mode choices, and cosmetic adjustments.

The gameplay is exceptional, with controls and weapons feeling finely tuned. While some may prefer ranged combat, I found the melee weapons and their visceral impact particularly engaging. The campaign is enjoyable both solo and in co-op, though I found defense missions less appealing. However, their implementation in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 was manageable.

Playing with a friend from another country, I was reminded of the big-budget co-op shooters from the Xbox 360 era, a genre that feels somewhat nostalgic today. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 captured my attention much like Earth Defense Force or Gundam Breaker 4, and I hope Saber and Focus can collaborate with SEGA to modernize the original game's campaign.

My familiarity with Warhammer 40,000 comes primarily from Total War: Warhammer, Dawn of War, Boltgun, and Rogue Trader. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has been a refreshing addition to my gaming library, offering one of the most enjoyable co-op experiences I've had in years. While it's too early to crown it as my favorite Warhammer 40,000 game, I'm eager to continue playing, especially in Operations mode with friends, exploring different classes and unlocking new content.

The co-op experience in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has been outstanding so far, though I reserve final judgment until I can test it with random players upon full launch. The anticipation for cross-platform multiplayer and online play is high.

Visually, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is stunning on both PS5 and Steam Deck. On PS5, the 4K mode on a 1440p monitor showcases the game's detailed environments and the sheer number of enemies in swarms. The texture work, lighting, and character customization options are impressive, reflecting the care put into the game's design.

The photo mode in single-player is a nice touch, allowing for detailed adjustments. However, on Steam Deck, some effects may not look as good when using FSR 2 at lower resolutions. On PS5, the photo mode is exceptional.

The audio in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is noteworthy, with top-tier voice acting and sound design. While the music is good, it's the voice acting and sound effects that truly stand out, enhancing the immersive experience.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Graphics Options

The PC port of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 includes a range of graphics options. Upon launching, it installs Epic Online Services, though linking an Epic account is optional. The graphics settings allow for adjustments in display mode, resolution, render resolution, quality presets, resolution upscaling, dynamic resolution targeting, v-sync, brightness, motion blur, fps limits, and various quality settings like texture filtering, shadows, and more.

The game supports DLSS and FSR 2 at launch, with FSR 3 planned for post-launch. I hope to see full 16:10 support added in future updates, as the current version is limited to 16:9.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Control Options

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 offers robust control options, supporting both keyboard and mouse and full controller functionality. Initially, I had issues with PlayStation button prompts on Steam Deck, but disabling Steam Input resolved this. The game also features adaptive trigger support, which works wirelessly with the DualSense controller on PC, a feature not commonly found.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Performance

While Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is technically playable on Steam Deck without configuration changes, it struggles to maintain a stable 30fps even at lower settings. Using the low preset with FSR 2.0 at Ultra Performance, the game frequently dips into the mid-20s during intense combat. Dynamic upscaling aimed at a 30fps target also results in frequent drops to the low 20s. The game's performance on Steam Deck is currently subpar, and it sometimes fails to exit properly, requiring manual closure.

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

Despite performance issues, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2's online functionality on Steam Deck is commendable. I tested co-op play with a friend in Canada without issues, though I experienced some internet-related disconnections. I look forward to testing the game in a more public environment once it launches.

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

On PS5, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 offers a solid experience in performance mode, though it doesn't maintain a locked 60fps. Dynamic resolution or upscaling may be in use, as I noticed some blurriness during large fights. The game supports fast load times and PS5 Activity Cards, enhancing the user experience. However, there's no gyro support at the moment.

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

Cross-progression between Steam and PS5 is functional, though there's a two-day cooldown period before syncing back or to another platform. I've reached out to Focus to confirm if this will change with the final build.

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

I can't fully answer this yet, as the servers aren't fully populated. I'll update this section once I've experienced the game with random players and tested the matchmaking in Operations and Eternal War modes.

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

I'm eager to see improvements in Steam Deck performance and the addition of proper HDR support, which would enhance the game's already impressive visuals. While the DualSense implementation is good, I hope to see haptic feedback added in future updates.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a strong contender for game of the year. While I need more time to fully assess the online experience with cross-play, the gameplay, visuals, and audio are top-notch. I recommend playing on PS5 for now, as the Steam Deck performance isn't up to par. I'll update this review with a final score once I've spent more time with the multiplayer and after some patches are released.

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