Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Review (in Progress) – GOTY Contender, but Play It Elsewhere for Now

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2: A Deep Dive Review – Steam Deck and PS5 Impressions

For years, anticipation has built for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. While many were eagerly awaiting the sequel, my own journey began with Total War: Warhammer, leading me to explore the broader 40k universe. Since then, titles like Boltgun and Rogue Trader have become favorites. I initially sampled the original Space Marine on my Steam Deck, piquing my interest for the sequel. After the impressive reveal, I eagerly awaited my chance to play Space Marine 2.

Over the past week, I've logged approximately 22 hours across my Steam Deck and PS5, leveraging cross-progression and testing online functionality. This review is ongoing for two key reasons: a proper assessment requires thorough cross-platform multiplayer testing, and official Steam Deck support is slated for release by year's end.

Having witnessed the stunning visuals and gameplay of Space Marine 2 on my Steam Deck (and utilizing cross-progression), I was keen to see how it performed on Valve's handheld. The news is mixed, and I'll cover all aspects in this in-progress review, including gameplay, online co-op, visuals, PC port features, PS5 performance, and more. Note that performance overlay screenshots are from my Steam Deck OLED, while 16:9 shots are from my PS5 playthrough. Testing was conducted on Proton GE 9-9 and Proton Experimental.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a visceral third-person action shooter that seamlessly blends brutality, stunning visuals, and exhilarating gameplay. This holds true even for newcomers to the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Following a concise yet effective tutorial introducing combat and movement, players arrive at the Battle Barge hub, the central location for mission selection, game mode choices, cosmetic adjustments, and more.

The moment-to-moment gameplay is exceptional; controls and weaponry feel perfectly tuned. While some may favor ranged combat, I personally relished the visceral melee combat. The executions are satisfying, and mowing down hordes of enemies before encountering tougher foes is consistently engaging. The campaign shines in both solo and co-op modes (with one or two friends), though I found defense missions less appealing. Fortunately, their implementation here wasn't overly intrusive.

Playing co-op with a friend overseas, Space Marine 2 evoked a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of high-budget Xbox 360-era co-op shooters – a genre rarely seen today. It captivated me in the same way Earth Defense Force and Gundam Breaker 4 have, leading me to hope for a modern update to the original game's campaign.

My Warhammer 40,000 knowledge stems primarily from Total War: Warhammer, Dawn of War, Boltgun, and Rogue Trader. Despite this, Space Marine 2 offers a refreshing experience and ranks among my favorite co-op games in years. While it's too early to declare it my favorite 40k game, this draft serves as a pause before I return to the game. I'm hooked on the Operations mode, experimenting with different classes and steadily progressing through missions and unlocks.

I hesitate to offer a definitive opinion without experiencing the full game's launch with random players, but my co-op experience thus far has been outstanding. I eagerly anticipate testing the online functionality further once cross-progression and cross-platform play are fully implemented.

Visually, I can comment on the PS5 and Steam Deck versions. On PS5, in 4K mode on my 1440p monitor, it's a visual masterpiece. The environments are breathtaking, and the level of detail is remarkable, enhanced by the sheer number of enemies, intricate textures, and impressive lighting. This is complemented by superb voice acting and extensive customization options that allow for creative self-expression.

A photo mode, accessible in single-player, allows adjustments to frames, expressions, visible characters, FOV, and more. On Steam Deck, however, some frame effects appear suboptimal when using FSR 2 and lower resolutions. The PS5 photo mode, in contrast, is exceptional.

The music, while good, hasn't yet yielded any tracks I'd listen to outside the game. However, the voice acting and sound design are top-tier.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Graphics Options

My Steam Deck experience allows me to discuss the PC port's features. Upon launch, Epic Online Services installs, but Epic account linking isn't mandatory.

Graphics settings allow adjustments to display mode (windowed, borderless, fullscreen), resolution, render resolution, quality presets (balanced, performance, ultra performance), resolution upscaling (TAA or FSR 2 on Steam Deck), dynamic resolution target, v-sync, brightness, motion blur, fps limit, and various quality-related settings. Four presets control texture filtering, resolution, shadows, ambient occlusion, reflections, volumetrics, effects, details, and cloth simulation.

DLSS and FSR 2 support are included, with FSR 3 planned for post-launch. I anticipate further Steam Deck optimization with FSR 3. I also hope for future 16:10 support.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PC Control Options

The game features keyboard and mouse controls alongside full controller support. Initially, PlayStation button prompts weren't displayed on Steam Deck by default, but disabling Steam Input resolved this. Adaptive trigger support is present, and disabling Steam Input revealed this option. Keyboard and mouse remapping is also available. Using a DualSense controller over Bluetooth displayed PlayStation prompts and even supported Adaptive Triggers wirelessly – a noteworthy feature.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Performance

While some initial freezing occurred on default and Experimental Proton, Proton GE 9-9 proved stable. The game is technically playable on Steam Deck without configuration changes, but it's currently demanding.

At 1280×800 (16:9), using the low preset with FSR 2.0 at Ultra Performance, a locked 30fps isn't consistently achievable. Frequent dips into the mid-20s occur during intense combat. Even at lower resolutions, frame rates fall below 30fps. This is far from ideal. I hope future optimization will achieve a stable 30fps, but it's currently unattainable in my 10 hours of testing.

Dynamic upscaling targeting 30fps with the low preset occasionally reaches the 30s but frequently drops to the low 20s. The visuals remain good on the Deck's screen, but the game is currently too demanding. Improper game exit occasionally necessitates manual closure.

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

Online play on Steam Deck functions flawlessly. Testing with a friend in Canada yielded positive results. Occasional internet-related disconnections were experienced, but this is expected on pre-release servers. Further testing with random players and friends will follow the game's launch.

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

Performance mode on PS5 feels mostly excellent, though a locked 60fps isn't guaranteed, and dynamic resolution seems to be in use, resulting in occasional blurriness during large battles. Load times are fast, and PS5 Activity Card support is included. Currently, gyro support is absent.

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

Cross-progression between Steam and PS5 functions well, though a two-day cooldown exists before resynchronization. Further clarification on the cooldown's persistence in the final build is pending.

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

A definitive answer requires further testing with the full online launch. I will update this section after playing with random players and assessing matchmaking in Operations (PvE) and Eternal War (PvP) modes. Eternal War testing is pending.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Features I Want to See

Post-launch support is expected, and I hope for improved Steam Deck performance and HDR support. Haptic feedback would be a welcome addition, though its absence at launch is noted.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a strong Game of the Year contender. While online cross-play testing is still needed, the gameplay is exceptional, and visuals and audio are superb. On PS5, it's highly recommended. Steam Deck performance currently hinders a recommendation. A full review with a final score will follow multiplayer testing and post-launch patches.

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