Multiplayer is a major part of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. There’s a full co-op narrative campaign for up to three players, additional three-player co-op missions called Operations, and a bunch of 12-player versus modes. So far, however, we’ve not seen much in the way of the gameplay – but that’s about to change, with a fresh trailer covering Operations Mode and Eternal War.
Both modes revolve around six playable Space Marine classes: Tactical, Assault, Vanguard, Bulwark, Sniper, and Heavy. You can then further customise them by unlocking Chapter presets. You can even create your own custom Chapters by piecing together individual cosmetics – it’s basically digital kitbashing!
Operations Mode is our first look at one of the Tyranids’ premier combat creatures – the brutal Carnifex. These beasts are capable of melting tank armour with their bio-plasma attacks, and scything terminators in two with a swipe of their talons. But it can be defeated when three Adeptus Astartes work together to divide its attention, dodging out of the way of its devastating bulldozer charges.
Each member of the team uses specialised wargear and abilities – the Black Templar with a jump pack and thunder hammer deals heavy damage to enemies in an area from above, while the Dark Angels Bladeguard Veteran combines power sword assaults with a banner that buffs his battle brothers.
The third Space Marine keeps the pressure up at range with a bolt rifle, using his increased mobility to dodge incoming attacks and strike with his combat knife. When the horde descends they must work in unison to thin the herd before they are overwhelmed.
The Eternal War segment demonstrates how frenetic arena combat works, with Heretic Legionaries teaming up against everyone’s favourite Codex-compliant Chapter, the Ultramarines. You can see the specialisms of the various classes paired with the deep customisation of your characters as a World Eater darts into combat to carve enemies up in close range, while an Alpha Legion warrior cloaks and picks off enemies at range with his sniper rifle.
The game will be released on the 9th of September, and you can look forward to new Operations missions, PvP maps, new enemies, and new weapons coming via free updates. It will be playable as soon as the 5th of September for those who pre-order the Gold or Ultra Editions.
On top of that, those who purchase the Season Pass will be granted additional cosmetics and Chapter heraldry through themed DLC which celebrates well-loved factions from Warhammer 40,000.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 will be unleashing its endless hordes in just over a month. It is available for pre-order on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Steam, and the Epic Games Store.