Warhammer 40k is an IP that has potential in a multitude of genres. From the top-down, strategic games such as Dawn of War and Battlesector, to doing away with all strategy and putting the player in control of the walking death machine that is a Space Marine, the grimdark sci-fi setting can always promise guts and gore aplenty in the name of the God-Emperor.
It came as a surprise to many though when last night at 2021's Game Awards, a cinematic trailer dropped for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. Coming over a decade after the original game's release, the trailer for Space Marine 2 gave a taste of what fans can expect to see in the game. Ultramarine Captain Titus from the first game will be making his return, though with the previous game ending with him in custody and suspected of heresy, there's bound to be an interesting story springing from this game. The Orks that made up the majority of enemies are now being replaced by the hive-mind endless tide of Tyranids, though in typical Space Marine fashion, the enemies exist as little more than bodies to explode into gore.
Following the end of the cinematic portion of the trailer, a few seconds of gameplay are shown. With the original Space Marine having released on the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, the first thing viewers can see is the graphical fidelity of its sequel. The backgrounds, shading and lighting all are far more impressive than the original release. However, many players have sought out the help of mods to make the first Space Marine feel new again, though the arrival of a true sequel have no doubt left fans excited.
Warhammer 40k's fantasy counterpart has received much in terms of releases and content over the last five years or so. With Total War: Warhammer giving fans the ability to conquer the Old World map with whatever faction they so choose, and Vermintide 2 giving a more personal experience of fighting off hordes of rats and Chaos warriors, the 40k fanbase has been in somewhat of a need of a new, major release to please old fans and introduce new ones.
While Necromunda: Hired Gun, released this year, the short first-person-shooter received mixed critical reception. Another 40k title, Warhammer: Darktide was delayed until 2022, so the reveal of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has given many the taste of hack-and-slash madness they'd been waiting for. The initial Space Marine did not always impress, though it did entertain and engage fans consistently, so as long as the sequel does the same, fans will likely be pleased.
